Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Countdown is on!!!

Hi all of you!How was your Christmas or Holidays?Did you eat a lot of food, and now feel like you just got hit by a truck..I think I have a sugar hangover.Too much chocolate fondue, but it was so worth it...yum yum!


                                               www.jenniferpuresweetness.blogspot.com

Which brings me to the reason why I am writing today.
The countdown to launching my dessert business is on...February 2012 will be the month of yummy,healthy,sugar free, vegan desserts.I am so excited and can't wait.I am still working on getting my website/blog running, setting up my facebook account and I am still not sure if I should include my first name in the name of my business.Pure Sweetness or Jennifer's Pure Sweetness?What do you think?I guess I will just decide spontaneous.I already put a link to my new website on this blog,so you are welcome to check it out.There will be some changes...like the domain name and I have to include some fun facts about being a sweet vegan.

I also want to donate 10% of everything that is sold at Jennifer's Pure Sweetness to an organization that supports the ending of sex trafficking and helps to support girls that got sucked into this cruel life ,to get back on track.I really like GEMS (Girls Mentoring and Educational Service), started by Rachel Lloyd or Caase (Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation).I have to look into it even more.It is very important to me, that Pure Sweetness will be about making better healthy choices,helping the environment, not harming animals and giving back to people and especially girls who really need the extra money and help.
There is still a lot to do and think about, but I am super excited to start this new chapter in my life.If you have any ideas or opinions about Pure Sweetness, feel free to contact me or leave a comment anytime.

Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Nourishing Arugula Salad with Butternut Squash and Cranberries

I have a new Lover!Warm,soft,comforting Butternut Squash.I am trying all kinds of recipes with my new Love.I used to be scared of the thick skin but once you peel and bake it,the squash is all yummy goodness.
The sweet Butternut Squash combines perfectly with the slide bitter taste of Arugula.Arugula is an amazing salad green,which is high in nutrients like:

Fiber
Iron
Copper
Protein
Vitamins A, B6, C, K
Thiamine
Riboflavin
Folate
Calcium
Zinc
Potassium
Magnesium
Manganese


Arugula has amazing health benefits.Just another leafy green that keeps you happy and healthy without any magic pill!All you have to do is enjoy it...

Bone health. Arugula promotes bone health because it contains calcium and vitamin K. It can help prevent fractures and broken bones. It helps to grow and strengthen your bones.
Low Calorie. Arugula is a very low calorie food which can help promote fullness and weight loss.
Boost Immunity. Since Arugula contains vitamin C, it boosts your immune system and helps to fight disease and infection. It also helps to prevent inflammation.
Fights Cancer. Arugula contains many nutrients that have proven effective when it comes to fighting and preventing cancers. It especially protects against prostate, breast, ovarian, colon, and cervical cancers.
Metabolism. Arugula contains B vitamins which are responsible for many metabolic functions in the body. It can help your body metabolize food more efficiently, thus promoting weight management and a healthy digestive tract.
Alzheimer's. Arugula helps to protect against damage done to the brain and has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Let's eat..here is my nourishing Winter Salad

It's all downhill—in ease and versatility—when you cook with butternut squash.


Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
4 cups arugula
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup raw walnuts halves
Juice of 1-2 lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the butternut squash on a sheet pan.Season with salt and pepper.Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender.
Place the arugula and spinach in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the cranberries. Squeeze lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil over the salad and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Monday, December 19, 2011

New Years Resolutions


How are you guys?The holidays and the new year are so close!Any resolutions for the new year yet?I do,I do...mine are very simple!
Relax,breath,pray,believe,give back,stop eating  sugary vegan foods and keep on strengthening my body with daily exercise.And of course, be a positive,healthy and happy wife,daughter,sister and friend.

I have a few simple steps that can make your 2012 sweeter in many ways


1.Cut down on animal foods and processed crap!

Once again...we are what we eat.You eat junk,you look like it and feel like it.
Animal products make your body acidic and they clog your arteries.Meat and dairy contains no fiber, which is important for a healthy digestion.No fiber will turn you into a biatch because if you can't use the bathroom your life stinks!
There is not one nutrient you can not get from a plant based diet.
Eat one plant based meal a day and you are one baby step closer to a better diet.

Many diets consist of over-processed foods and lifeless foods which produce little enzyme activity and contain little or no fibrous material.A lot of people are eating junk foods that are not fresh, with fewer nutrients.
All the natural fiber has been removed in the refining stages. Because of this the diet is poor in fiber, digestion is slow and the waste materials stay in the body longer. This sets up the perfect condition for toxic materials to form.Processed foods contain huge amounts of chemicals and toxins which were added in the processing.
Do you really want to eat chemicals like coloring agents, artificial flavors and preservatives,that are linked to cancer and other diseases.
Dump the processed food...your body has no clue what to do with it!It will only make you really sick.


2.Have a green smoothie!

If there is any food or meal replacement I recommend, it is the beautiful,yummy,nourishing,it will get your skin glowing and will make you jump your husband GREEN SMOOTHIE.
Get out your old blender and buy some kale,spinach and fruit and start blending!
Dark green leafy vegetables are, calorie for calorie, probably the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins, including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins. They also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fats.
Add a banana and some berries for sweetness.Drink it in the morning instead of breakfast and you will feel more energized and ready for the day.


3.Dance,Baby Dance!!!



I don't care if you dance,run,jump,do yoga or just do good old jumping jacks..you have to keep your body moving.We are meant to move and here is why!!!
People who are physically active live longer.Regular exercise reduces the risk of dying prematurely.
Exercise stimulates the formation of new brain cells.Researchers found that the areas of the brain that are stimulated through exercise are responsible for memory and learning.
Regular exercise maintains or improves sex life. Physical improvements in muscle strength and tone, endurance, body composition and cardiovascular function can all enhance sexual functioning in both men and women.
Study after study has shown that exercise promotes mental health and reduces symptoms of depression. The antidepressant effect of regular physical exercise is comparable to the potent antidepressants like Zoloft.
Lack of physical activity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercising makes your heart, like any other muscle, stronger.
There is strong evidence from high quality studies that moderate physical activity combined with weight loss and balanced diet can confer a 50-60% reduction in risk of developing diabetes.
Regular exercise helps to reach and maintain a healthy weight. If you take in more calories than needed in a day, exercise offsets a caloric overload and controls body weight. It speeds the rate of energy use, resulting in increased metabolism.
An active lifestyle benefits bone density. Regular weight-bearing exercise promotes bone formation, delays bone loss and may protect against osteoporosis - form of bone loss associated with aging.




4.Believe!

OK, this is actually the hardest one!When I say believe,I mean for a long and sweet life you have to believe in yourself! You have to!!!You have to believe that you can be whoever you want to be, and you can do whatever you want to do.Life is to short to waste it on people and stuff you don't like.You hate your job,go back to college..you want to open your own business..go ahead.Don't let anybody ever tell you that you can't do it!People can be dream killers because they never had the guts to reach for their own.Believe in yourself and there will be nothing you can not do!!!




5.Give Back!

You know what I realized about money...Money doesn't matter!!!It doesn't make you happy,it doesn't buy you love and it doesn't make things easier.
The happiest people are the one that live a simple life, without any superficial things.
There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back.Giving your time or your money to somebody who REALLY needs it.
It makes you realized how blessed you are!
Giving 50 dollars to a girl in India to save her life is priceless!
Spending time with a shelter dog and cuddling him, while he looks at you with his big puppy dog eyes, just melts your heart!
Mentoring a child,while saving him from a life on the streets-no money can buy that feeling.

Stop wasting your time in the mall or bar and do what you were meant to do!To make this world a better place,one smile at a time!


I hope you guys got some inspiration...Have a beautiful week!


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Perfect Winter Food!!!Creamy Butternut Squash Soap


My parents are in town right now and I am trying to introduce them to vegan food.They loved this vegan Butternut Squash Soup.Yes..Sold!



Rich Creamy Butternut Squash Soup


Ingredients
1 big Butternut Squash
4 cups Vegetable Broth
2 cups Water
1 large Onion
4 Potatoes
Seasoning blend
Salt
Pepper


Peel the butternut squash and take out the seeds.Cut into cubes and put into a big pot.
Cut potatoes into cubes and add to the squash.
Add vegetable broth and water and bring to a boil.
Chop onions and saute in a pan until onions are clear.
Add onions into the pot.
Let simmer until squash and potatoes are soft.
Blend soup in a blender or whatever works for you.
I like the soup chunky.
Add seasoning to your liking.
Add pumpkin seeds and black pepper on top

Serve with some homemade German bread...Thanks Mama!!!


Love and Cookies
Jennifer

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Fantasy Football Junk-Food Party


My husband will have a big fantasy football party tonight...No I won't be there,seriously a bunch of crazy football guys that are acting like little boys...ahhhh no thank you!!But one thing I will do is provide vegan food.I don't care who comes to my house or what party I am throwing- vegan food rocks!Doesn't matter if it is a bunch of big grown up men, or just my ladies- my party stays animal cruelty free(-;

So here is my vegan fantasy football junk food menu..for all the grown up men out there!!!


Quesadillas

Ingredients
12 organic corn tortillas
1 cup roasted red pepper hummus
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup cilantro-chopped
1 avocado-cut in little pieces



Roasted red pepper hummus

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and salt washed off
1/3 cup tahini
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup roasted red peppers
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Put everything in a food processor and process until smooth.Add spices to your liking.
Set hummus aside.



Salsa
4 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup finely diced onion
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lime juice

Mix everything together in a bowl and set aside.

Heat up tortilla in a non-stick skillet.Add one tbsp of hummus and spread evenly onto the tortilla,spread 1tbsp of salsa on top.Fold tortilla in half and let brown on both sides.Repeat with other tortillas.Cut them in triangle shape and arrange nicely on plate.Decorate with remaining salsa,cilantro and avocado.Serve hot.



So Good Potato Salad

Ingredients
16 medium potatoes, peeled
1 cup onions, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 pickles, diced (sweet or dill)
1/2 cup parsley-chopped
2 cup vegan mayo
4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper, to taste
sprinkle paprika

Boil potatoes for about 25 minutes, or until soft. Drain and let them cool for a few minutes.
Cut potatoes into small cubes, and put them in the fridge for about an hour to cool off some more.
When potatoes are cool, place in a bowl or dish, and stir in the onions, celery, pickles, mayo, mustard,parsley and salt and pepper. Sprinkle paprika on top.





Black Bean Meatballs
Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
2 cups of organic black beans, rinsed, drained, partially mashed
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 cup whole grain bread crumbs
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375° F
Preheat a large skillet to medium heat. Add 2 tbsp of water and lightly brown onion and garlic. Take skillet off of stove.
In a food processor, combine onion mixture with remaining ingredients and process until beans are almost broken down. If it is too wet, add more oatmeal. If it is too dry, add water one teaspoon at a time.
Roll mixture into medium size balls.
Place into oven for about 20min.Serve with any kind of dipping sauce.




No Pigs in the Blanket

Ingredients
2 packages of crescent rolls (Pillsbury brand crescent rolls are vegan)
1 package Veggie Hot Dogs

Preheat oven to 350° F
Cut crescent dough into triangle shapes.Cut the veggie dogs in half.Roll half a veggie dog into the dough.
Bake in oven until lightly browned-about 15-20min.
Let cool down and cut in half for bite sized fun.
Serve with curry ketchup and mustard.


After all the junk food-I will serve some accidentally vegan Oreo candy cane cookies on a stick and for my gluten free friend I will prepare my raw orange chocolate truffles.


HAPPY FANTASY FOOTBALL NIGHT!!!

Love and Cookies

Jennifer








Sunday, November 20, 2011

Save a turkey-eat lentil loaf


I made this yummy lentil loaf last night and it was so good!Packed with protein and so filling.It makes the perfect Thanksgiving dish,add some creamy mashed or sweet potatoes and some greens and who needs turkey anyway!!!




Thanksgiving Loaf

2 cups lentils
1 big yellow onion,chopped
3 minced garlic cloves
3/4 cup barchup(half barbecue sauce-half ketchup)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 tsp fresh or dried thyme
2 tbsp braggs
salt and pepper to taste

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add lentils.
Reduce heat and simmer until all the water is absorbed about 50-60min.
Add more water after 30min if needed.
Saute onions and garlic for about 5 min until soft.
When lentils are done,let them stand for about 30min-they will thicken up.
Combine them with all other ingredients and half of the barchup and process them in a food processor.
Press mixture into loaf pan and spread remaining barchup on top.
Bake for about 45min at 350*F.
Let stand for about 10min before slicing.




Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Tacos without the bad stuff!

My husband has Mexican blood flowing through his veins.A week without tacos doesn't exist in our house!
This is our recipe for easy built yourself tacos.



-10 organic corn tortillas (organic is important because commercial corn contains gmo)

-1 cup of cooked black or kidney beans

-2 cups of shredded lettuce


Veggie rice
-1 cup of brown rice
-1/2 red bell pepper
-1/2 yellow bell pepper
-1/2 onion
-1tbsp 21 seasoning
-sea salt to taste

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add rice,reduce heat and simmer for about 20 min.
Saute chopped onions in pan for about 5 min.
Add bell peppers and simmer for another 5min.
Add cooked rice,stir and season to taste.
You could also add some green chilies if you like a little heat.


Guacamole
-2 avocados
-1/8 cup of corn
-1/8 cup chopped tomatoes
-1 tbsp chopped onions
-A handful of cilantro
-Juice of one lime
-Salt and Pepper

Mash the avocados,add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.


Fresh Salsa
-3 tomatoes, chopped
-1/2 cup finely diced onions
-1 small green chilies, finely chopped
-1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lime juice

Combine all the ingredients and mix well.




Transfer the salsa,guacamole,rice and beans and lettuce each into separate bowls.
Heat up the corn tortillas on top of the stove for a few seconds.Put on serving plate.

Built your own taco with all the good for you ingredients.


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Got a cold?!Please don't pop a pill...


I can not believe it is November already and the beautiful holiday season is just around the corner.
It is getting cold in Chicago and of course everybody is making sure they are getting their flu shots!Flu shot season is making me a little upset.I don't like how people are getting pushed into getting vaccinated,it is just another money making thing.Did you know that more people actually died from a flu shot vaccine than from the flu itself.I am not surprised just look at the kind of ingredients a flu shot contains:
  • Egg proteins: including avian contaminant viruses
  • Gelatin: can cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are usually associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin
  • Polysorbate 80 (Tween80™): can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Also associated with infertility in female mice.
  • Formaldehyde: known carcinogen
  • Triton X100: a strong detergent
  • Sucrose: table sugar
  • Resin: known to cause allergic reactions
  • Gentamycin: an antibiotic
  • Thimerosal: mercury is still in multi dose flu shot vials
SCARY!!!There is no way I would ever put that into my body.
Once again, you don't get sick because you didn't get the flu shot...you will get sick because you didn't take care of yourself and your immune system got weakend.If you treat your body like garbage,year after year,even if you did get the flu shot,sooner or later you will get really, really sick.

The time to treat any kind of disease is when you don't have it.!
Prevention is always better than cure.




I listed some natural ways to prevent and cure a cold or the flu,without and pills,chemical liquids and poisonous flu shots!

DOUBLE UP ON VITAMIN C
Not only is vitamin C a well-known component of your immune system, it is also necessary for collagen, the main structural protein found in connective tissue. A healthy dose of vitamin C will protect your body from infection and maintain healthy bones and teeth, as well as quicken the body's ability to repair wounds.
Along with its immune functions that fight against bacteria, viruses, and infection, vitamin C also serves as an effective antihistamine that will lessen the unpleasant effects of the common cold, including inflammation, stuffy nose and aches.
The best source of vitamins is always fresh fruit and vegetables.
Good sources of Vitamin C are red bell peppers,lemons,kiwis or strawberries.


DON'T EAT ANY JUNK FOOD
When you have a cold or flu your body is under a lot of stress, fighting the viral infection.Almost 80% of our energy is used for digestion. Big, heavy meals take vital energy to digest, resources which your body could be using to fight the infections.If you eat easy to digest foods like fruit and vegetables your body can work on fighting of the cold and doesn't have to focus on breaking down the food.There is a reason why we are not hungry if we are sick!The best thing to do is drink plenty of liquids - water,green juices and herbal teas,but stay away from heavy and highly processed food. High liquid intake is important as the body uses water to carry waste products and toxins to your elimination systems.


CHILL OUT
One of the most important factors in getting cure from cold is a good sleep and generally relaxing. You need to get some good rest in order for your body to resist the cold virus better, faster and more efficient. If you have fever you should definitely stay home, switch off your mobile and try to relax. Most people tend to try and overcome cold with out resting.Stay at home and relax for two days in a warm environment.


GARLIC
What,garlic? I know, it has a strong smell but garlic has anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection, it is an excellent boost to the immune system. The reason for this is garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, one of the plant kingdom's most potent antibiotics.So if you can eat it like an apple(-:...LOL..a garlic a day keeps the doctor away!




STEAM BABY STEAM
Boil up a large pot of water. If you're lucky enough to live in Australia, then pop out to the yard and pick yourself a few Eucalyptus leaves to add to the pot. If not, 3 - 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil should do the trick. Let the water boil for around 10 minutes.
Inhale the steam through your mouth to alleviate mucus congested in the chest area and inhale through the nose for stuffiness and blockages. Keep eyes closed during the process and take deep relaxing breathes until you feel better.


GET IT ALL OUT
Stop sniffing and avoid using cough medicine!
Sniffing sends that mucus right back to the very place it came from! You want to expel the infected mucus from your body. Stop sniffing and grab a tissue!The same goes for coughing.
Most cough medicines contain ingredients to suppress coughing. You want to shift the infected mucus away from the lungs. Suppressing a cough hinders your body's attempt to heal. A natural remedy will relieve the cough without suppressing it.Drink hot herbal or ginger tea.One tablespoon apple cider vinegar disolved in water works wonders.I will never have a sinus infection again!!!


STAY AWAY FROM CHICKEN SOUP
Please, if you want to eat someting,have vegetable soup which will nourish you with all its vitamins and minerals.No dead chicken will heal you!!!


Love and Cookies

Jennifer
 










Monday, October 24, 2011

I can't afford to be healthy!!


I hear it all the time..eating healthy is so expensive and I can't afford to buy organic!
I understand the frustration that a lot of people feel, if you can buy a burger and fries at Mc Donald for a dollar each and to nosh some salad you have to spend three times the money.But eating healthy doesn't have to break your bank!Here are some money saving tips on eating healthy and vegan on a budget.


-Buy in Bulk
Beans,rice,nuts and seeds are all cheaper if you buy them in the bulk section of your health food store or Whole Foods.You can buy a pound of beans for just a little over a dollar, while a pound of beef will cost you way more.Add some tomatoes,veggies and spices to your protein packed super beans and you can whip up a big pot of veggie chili, that will last for a couple of days.


-Stay Away from Processed Foods
It is the packaged processed food that really burns a whole in your wallet.If you compare a package of cereal with some oatmeal from the bulk section you will be able to stretch your dollar way further by buying the oatmeal.The same goes with frozen meals,cookies,crackers and chips!
The more junk food you eat,the more you want it and the more you will buy it.If you eat a wholesome meal your body will get all the nutrients it needs and you will be less likely to spend your money on another junk food binge.It doesn't matter if it is Vegan,processed food is junk and expensive!




-Cook at Home
Yes I know,so many of you don't have time to prepare and chop tons of veggies at home and prepare a from scratch meal every day.Think ahead!Prepare a big pot of rice or pasta at the beginning of the week and toss it with veggies,tempeh and add your favourite sauce whenever the hunger strikes.Have curry veggie rice one day and Italian style pasta the next.You can make pasta salad or wrap the rice in a taco with some beans and guacamole for a hearty meal.Have a big salad with it and you are good to go.
Think about how much you spend on take out food and restaurants a month.You will save so much money, if you prepare your own food and you will actually know what it is you are eating!


-Shop in Season
Don't buy strawberries and pineapple in the wintertime!!! Out of season fruits and vegetables have to travel a long way and are tough on your wallet.
Buy local, and buy fruit and veggies that are in season, this way you will support your budget and mother nature will thank you.



-Buy at the Farmers Market
Organic food at the Farmers Market is often way cheaper than it is at the store.You will have an impact on the environment,the local farmers and your bank account.



-Buy Frozen Fruit and Veggies
Frozen fruit and vegetables are good alternatives to fresh produce.They are often cheaper than their fresh brothers and sisters and if they are flash frozen right after picking they will keep their nutritional value.This way you have the possibility to buy some strawberries in the wintertime-if you have too (-;



And Last but Not Least
-Think about the Future...
If you consider that meat and dairy foods clog your body with saturated fat, growth hormones and antibiotics, things that have been conclusively linked to cancer, heart disease, and obesity, it is certainly a lot less expensive -- and less painful -- to prevent diseases through your food choices than it is to treat them later (through bypass surgery or angioplasty, for example, which can run up tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills). 


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The ''Dirty Dozen'' and ''Clean 15''


2011 “Dirty Dozen” list has THE MOST PESTICIDES.
BUY THESE ORGANIC!!

1.Apples
2.Celery
3.Strawberries
4.Peaches
5.Spinach
6.Nectarines
7.Grapes
8.Sweet Bell Peppers
9.Potatoes
10.Blueberries
11.Lettuce
12.Kale/Collard Greens


2011 “Clean 15” list has the LEAST PESTICIDES.
If you want, you can get these conventional and it will cut down on your intake of pesticides.

1.Onions
2.Sweet Corn-non organic corn is often genetically modified,it is better to buy corn organic!
3.Pineapples
4.Avocados
5.Asparagus
6.Sweet Peas
7.Mangoes
8.Eggplant
9.Cantaloupe
10.Kiwi
11.Cabbage
12.Watermelon
13.Sweet Potatoes
14.Grapefruit
15.Mushrooms


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

OK I don't know why, but lately I have been obsessed with Peanut Butter and Chocolate.I mean seriously...I have been in the States for too long..what's up with that peanut butter!!!Now we are not talking about Reese's peanut butter cups here.They are bad for you and full of sugar and dairy.So I came up with my own version..so good you will never go back to the orange colored packaged junk.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
1 cup organic (no salt,no oil,dry roasted) crunchy or creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup almond milk
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup chopped almonds


Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
Combine the peanut butter and salt, mix well together and stir over medium heat until melted.
Remove mixture from the heat and evenly divide it among the muffin cups.
Combine the chocolate chips and almond milk and stir over medium heat until chocolate has melted.
Spoon the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture.
Top with chopped almonds and let set in the fridge for at least 2 hours.


OK I know what I will do right now at 1 am in the morning..it is peanut butter and chocolate time.Hope you love them like I do.


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Friday, October 14, 2011

Heart Attack Grill...you gotta be kidding me!!!






I stubbled across this on Kris Carr's blog and I still can't believe it!!
There is a place outside Phoenix, Arizona, whose name, and I am not making this up, is the Heart Attack Grill. The restaurant is very often packed. It offers what owner Jon Basso calls, “an environment of acceptance to overweight customers who are typically demonized by society.”
But at this restaurant, it’s a little more than acceptance. The Heart Attack Grill literally celebrates obesity. Customers who are over 350 pounds eat for free. A scale is strategically placed at the center of the restaurant, so other diners can watch the weigh-ins. When customers exceed 350 pounds, says the restaurant’s owner, “Everybody applauds and cheers for them. A big smile comes over their face, and for once they are finally accepted. They are not picked on here.”
Waitresses, all of them young and slender, are dressed as nurses, wearing high heels, thigh-high stockings, and skimpy outfits revealing lots of cleavage.
It sounds like fun.
Except when it isn’t.
Several months ago, the 575-pound spokesman for the Heart Attack Grill, a 29-year-old man named Blair River, died. It wasn’t a heart attack, it was pneumonia. He had been the public face of the restaurant and the star of its advertising. He was also the single father for a five-year-old girl.
At nearly 600 pounds. Blair River ate all his meals free at the restaurant.
Heart Attack Grill owner Jon Basso did not deny the link between the young man’s excessive weight and his tragically premature death. “I hired him to promote my food,” said Basso, “[but his] life was cut short because he carried extra weight.” Ironically, the restaurant’s motto is “Food Worth Dying For.”
Of course, no one is forcing anyone to eat at the Heart Attack Grill or to stuff themselves full of unhealthy food. It’s a free country, and we’re free to eat ourselves to death if we want to do so.
Some would say that the Heart Attack Grill steps over a line, to the point of enabling dangerous food addictions. There is certainly nothing remotely resembling healthy on the menu. Customers can purchase cigarettes, but only the non-filtered type. On the wall are prominent displays advertising menu items such as “Quadruple Bypass Burgers” that carry 8,000 calories, and “Flatliner Fries” that are deep-fried in pure lard. Perhaps joking, owner Basso says, “We’re in the front lines of the battle against anorexia.”
But Blair River’s death is no joke. And it would be a mistake to make light of the medical consequences of obesity. The Centers for Disease Control tells us that obese people have a substantially higher risk not only for heart attacks, but also for diabetes, most cancers, and many other types of cardiovascular disease.
Heart Attack Grill owner Basso doesn’t plan any changes on account of the young man’s death. Scantily-clad waitresses will still regularly exhort customers to eat all they can. He’s making money, and thinks the restaurant is great fun.

UNBELIEVABLE...I HAVE NO WORDS!!!!

Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Jillian Michaels opinion on ''Vegan Raw Food''


Let me first start by saying that I love Jillian Michaels.I think it is amazing what she did on all the seasons of Biggest Loser.How she helped out hundreds even thousands of people mentally and physically.She is an amazing women and an inspiration to a lot of people.I read her book ''Unlimited'' and the way she approaches life and tells you how to be the best you can be and reach your full potential is very motivating.She knows how the human body and mind functions and as we all know when she has a strong opinion about something, she will let everybody know and doesn't sweet talk anybody about it.You go Girl...

Which brings me to the topic I wanted to talk about.
Ever since leaving Biggest Loser Jillian is on the WCIU Show ''The Doctors''.The show is hosted by 3 doctors plus Jillian and the main subjects are health,beauty,nutrition and exercise.So today they discussed the raw vegan diet.And let me tell you Jillian had a very strong opinion about the vegan diet.She got really upset!She said that the human body is not meant to thrive on a vegan diet,that we can get E.coli from a raw vegan diet,that we are missing out on important B vitamins and that most of the vegetables we eat are better when they are cooked...
Well everybody is entitled to have their own thinking...I just wonder why she is so against it.As far as I know her once Co- Partner on BL Bob Harper is a Vegan or at least a part time Vegan(-;

We can argue back and forth if we are meant to eat meat but everybody knows that we should eat more plant foods and less animal products.If we all would lean more towards a plant strong diet,obesity rates would go down quickly.Nobody ever got fat and unhealthy from raw fruits and vegetables,whole grains,beans and legumes...burgers and hot dogs on the other hand..well that is another story!!!

The reason why there are E.coli outbreaks and people have gotten sick from eating spinach or cucumbers is because factory farms dump millions of gallons of putrefying waste into massive open-air cesspits,which can then contaminate the water that is used to irrigate the crops.E.coli is a bacterium that comes from poop..from animal poop.You can even get it if you swim in water that is contaminated.So lets not blame our beautiful raw veggies...

The list below shows all the important B Vitamins our body needs,besides Vitamin B12 we can obtain all these B Vitamins from a plant based diet.The reason why Vegans don't get enough B12 is because microorganisms, primarily bacteria, are the only organisms that manufacture B12. These bacteria often live in bodies of water and soil. Animals get B12 by eating food and soil contaminated with these microorganisms.Since Vegans don't eat any animal products and usually wash vegetables before consuming we hardly get B12.If we would still all have vegetable gardens and healthy rich soil there would be no Vitamin B12 issue.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin or niacinamide)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, or pyridoxamine, or pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins)

There are 2 vegetables which nutrients are better absorbed when the are cooked.Carrots and Tomatoes.Carrots do release more of that beta-carotene and other phenolic compounds when they are cooked rather than eaten raw.Cooked tomatoes are also higher in lycopene than raw ones.
Those two vegetables-well tomatoes are actually a fruit are the only exception of the rule.Raw vegetables are far more nutritious.Overcooking veggies can rob them of much of their nutritional content.

I respect and appreciate when famous people have their own opinion,but they also have to understand that they have a big influence on people. Saying that a Vegan Diet is unhealthy is plain and simple ignorant!


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Little Veggie Chorizo Pizzas



Me and my husband love to go to Chicago to Karyn's on Green. A while ago we ate this amazing vegan chorizo pizza,with aioli,avocado and topped off with some greens.I turned Karyn's Pizza into my own!!These are amazing and no meat eater will ever know that they are vegan.
I don't promote a lot of soy products but this kind of soy chorizo is amazing and I eat it as a treat every once in a while.


Ingredients:
3 whole wheat english muffins
3/4 cup tomato sauce-you can use the recipe from the healthy pizza recipe
1 package Trader Joe's soy chorizo
1 large avocado
A handful of arugula or greens of your choice
1/8 cup aioli-recipe follows


Aioli
Ingredients:
3/4 cup of cooked navy beans
1/8-1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 garlic gloves
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Pepper to taste

Saute garlic for a few minutes.Set aside to cool down.Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor and process until smooth.Add Olive oil.Adjust taste to your liking.


Cut english muffins in half and spread about 1tbsp of tomato sauce on each muffin.Add 1 heaping tbsp
of the soy chorizo on top.Set aside.
Cut avocado in half and slice into small pieces-make sure you use a ripe soft avocado.
Tear greens into small pieces.
Bake the little pizzas topped with sauce and chorizo for about 5 min.
Top with avocado,greens and aioli sauce.Serve hot!


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Friday, September 23, 2011

Coconut Cupcakes filled with Lemon Cream

OK these will blow you away and this is not the last time you will see them...

Ingredients:
Filling
1/3 cup cashews
1 large banana
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tbs coconut nectar or maple syrup

Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.Put in fridge to set.

Cupcakes
2 cups pecans or other nuts
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
3/4 cup tightly packed dates
3 tbs vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until it all sticks together.
Place about six cupcake liners in a muffin pan.Scoop 1/2 cup mixture into each cupcake liner.
Press the mixture into cupcakes using your fingertips,make sure to leave some space in the middle for the filling.Press the mixture tight and all the way up to the edge of the cupcake liners.
Pour about 3 tbsp lemon cream into each cupcake...Decorate with coconut and a slice of lemon or orange.

Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Bad food-bad skin

For all of you who ever wondered if your food choices affect your skin.Yes they do..everything you eat your skin absorbs from your bloodstream.Sugar,dairy and processed foods are your biggest enemy,when it comes to beautiful,healthy,glowing skin.Here are some tips on what to avoid and what to eat if you want to avoid breakouts.



Choose Low Glycemic Foods

Eating foods with a lot of sugar (as well as refined carbohydrates such as white bread that are broken down quickly into sugar) causes your blood sugar to spike.Elevated blood sugar stimulates your body to pump out insulin,which then triggers a cascade of hormonal effects,including elevated levels of the male hormone androgen,excess oil and increased skin cell production,all of which lead to clogged pores and breakouts.


Quit Dairy

Milk is full of growth hormones,which will be absorbed into your bloodstream and will affect your skin.Milk can affect your Insulin.Even if it has a low GI it still affects your blood sugar and will affect your human hormone production.Especially whey protein which comes from the whey of cow's milk and is added to protein bars,cereals and is a by product of cheese,has a lot of male growth hormones which cause acne.And lets not forget all the other steroids,antibiotics and chemicals that we ingest if we drink cow's milk,even pasteurization and homogenization can't destroy these compounds.


Avoid Iodine

To much salt in processed and canned foods,Iodine in cow's milk and table salt are all linked to acne.
Iodine is a mineral that has been clinically proven to aggravate acne. The biggest source of iodine is iodized table salt. Avoid that salt. Other food sources of iodine include oysters, lobster,seaweed, shrimp and milk.Try to limit these foods.


Eat Zinc-Rich foods

Zinc is natural anti-inflammatory as well as an inhibitor of acne causing bacteria.No wonder a lot of people with acne have a zinc deficiency.Before you go out and buy a zinc supplement,be careful because excessive zinc intake can actually be toxic.Get your zinc through foods, like lentils,kidney beans,almonds,cashews,tempeh,sunflower and sesame seeds.I know that red meat is a source of zinc but it is also very high in saturated fat and cholesterol which can lead to heart disease.


Omega-3s to fight acne

Omega -3s actually reverse the damage caused by a diet high in inflammatory foods.It is a natural anti-inflammatory,so it has the potential  to calm broken out skin.Omega-3 may also decrease the hormone that causes increased oil production and clogged pores.And last but not least,Omega 3s may act as a natural mood booster.Well if that is not a good reason to eat your flax seed.Vegan sources of Omega-3s are flax seed,walnuts,hemp oil,pumpkin seeds and soy beans.


Let's eat our way to beautiful skin



Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Scrumptious Apple Pie

I made this delicious Apple Pie last night for a charity bake sale.It tastes a lot like the baked one,with cinnamon and raisins which go perfect together.I made it with some organic Pink Lady apples but you could use any kind.Apple season is coming..yippee
Ingredients:
For the Filling
2 Large Crisp Apples
¼ cup Raisins
¼ cup Coconut Nectar or Raw Honey
1 tablespoon Softened Almond butter
Juice from half a Lemon
2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
½ teaspoon Nutmeg

For the Crust
1 cup raw Oat Groats
1 cup raw Walnuts
1 cup Dates
1/2 cup Raisins
2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Decoration
Some extra raisins and apple slices

Preparation:
Filling:
Slice apples ( the way you like it) and mix with raisins in a large bowl and set aside.
In a small bowl mix together all other filling ingredients. Mix well with a fork.
Pour the mixture evenly over apples and raisins, then toss for a minute or two to ensure even distribution.
Let marinade for about 20 min.
Crust:
Put oat groats,walnuts,dates, raisins and melted coconut oil in a food processor
(I just got a new one(-:) and process until mixture sticks together.
Put mixture in a round baking pan and press into bottom of the pan.Let harden in the fridge.
Once the crust has hardened, pour apple mixture evenly on top.

You can decorate it however you like.I just sprinkled some extra cinnamon and raisins on top and decorated the edges of the pie with some more apple slices.


Love and Cookies

Jennifer

Friday, September 9, 2011

Creamy Lime Bars


These bars are so good,they are super creamy and are so much better for you than the dairy version.
You could also make a crust with walnuts and dates and make a key lime pie out of it.

Ingredients

1 cup organic lime juice
½ cup unrefined coconut oil
1/4 cup raw organic honey
4 cups cashews
Liquid sweetener ( date syrup or maple syrup ) to sweeten.A little goes a long way
½ -1 cup water


Combine all ingredients in a blender except for the water, and blend on high. Add the water last and as needed to keep the blending going and make the mixture smooth.
Freeze at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Cut into bars and serve! Makes about 15 full-portion sized bars.
Can store in the freezer and keep for a few weeks.


love and cookies

Jennifer

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Did you know.....?!

Kathy Freston''Veganist''

Reading this great awesome book ''Veganist'' written by Kathy Freston.
Love books,give me a good book and I am a happy girl.



I want to tell you guys some amazing facts about the plant based diet...



DID YOU KNOW...

-On a healthful vegan diet,weight comes off effortlessly and sustainably,without counting one calorie.

-Most of us only overeat when we are eating  the wrong foods.When we eat healthfully our body knows when to stop because it will get all the nutrients we need from the foods we eat.The reason why so many people are constantly hungry is because their bodies are starving of nutrients.

-It is a myth that you can't get enough protein on a plant strong diet.Most Americans get more protein than their bodies need or can successfully use.

-Plant based food are naturally low in fat.It is very hard to be overweight on a vegan diet.



DID YOU KNOW....

-One out of every three children born after 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes,which is preventable through diet and lifestyle.

-You can reduce your chances of getting cancer by 40 percent,heart disease 50 percent, and diabetes by 60 percent by changing your diet to a whole foods,vegan diet.

-Within days of switching to a plant based diet,weight starts to drop; within one week blood sugar starts to fall; within 2 weeks blood pressure improves; and within a month cholesterol improves significantly.




DID YOU KNOW...

-The current generation of children just might be the first to have shorter life expectancies than their parents.

-Vegetarians live 10 years longer than the average meat eater.

-The poor circulation from clogged arteries that can cause heart disease and stroke can also cause impotence and dementia.A vegan diet is the best prevention.




DID YOU KNOW....

-All food poisoning-all food borne viruses,bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant infections-comes from animals,including humans.

-Over 95 percent of the meat, dairy and eggs we eat comes from factory farms,where the animals are pumped full of drugs to keep them alive and to speed up their development and productivity.Chicken get twice the antibiotic dosing that cattle do,because the conditions they are raised in are the worst of the worst and therefore require more medicine just to keep them alive long enough to be killed for their meat.

-The immune cells of vegetarians and vegans are twice as effective at destroying their targets-not only cancer cells, but virus infected cells as well-as the immune cells of meat eaters.

-The Center for Disease Control reported finding fecal contamination in 90 percent of poultry, 75 percent of beef and 43 percent of pork.

-Dairy cow and pig factories dump millions of gallons of putrefying waste into massive open air cesspits,which can then contaminate the water used to irrigate our crops.That is how a deadly fecal pathogen like E. coli 0157;H7 can end up contaminating our spinach.




DID YOU KNOW....

-You can satisfy your protein needs with a variety of plant foods for just pennies per day.

-The annual costs of meat-based diseases in the U.S., are on the order of 1 trillion dollars and climbing,costs that show up in the crazy prices of health care.

-The cheap burger at the fast food place actually ends up costing 200 dollars to bring to your plate when all true source costs are accounted for.






Did you know...

-The business for raising animals for food is responsible for about 18 percent of global warming.

-Farmed animals are probably the biggest cause of slashing and burning of the world's forest.

-If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and substituted vegetarian foods,the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as if the nation removed more than half a million cars from the U.S roads.

-A person prevents more climate change pollution by going vegan than by switching to a hybrid car.




DID YOU KNOW...

-In typical egg-producing operations,hens are crammed by the bunch into tiny wire cages stacked one upon the other for hundreds of yard.They cannot spread their wings,sometimes with broken bones,open sores and feather loss.

-Broiler chicken are often drugged up and genetically manipulated to grow extremely large,extremely quickly and as a result they often cannot support their unnatural weight-their legs remain malformed or break.Their hearts and lungs cannot keep up with the unnaturally rapid growth and many die of heart or lung failure.

-Cattle often have their horns ripped out,are castrated and branded without painkillers and end up standing in their own filth for months before they are slaughtered.





Think about how easy it can be to make a little change in this big world!!




Love and cookies

Jennifer

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Chocolate Kale Chips

I just learned some great recipes from a raw food dessert seminar.It was teached by Russel James and these Chocolate Kale Chips were just amazing.If you don't have a dehydrater you can try to put them in the oven on the lowest setting with the door open.Just make sure you keep an eye on them-I don't want your house to be on fire.


.


Ingredients

9 oz kale
1/2 cup cacao powder
1 cup date paste
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt


Tear the stalks from the kale and then tear any
larger pieces into bite-sized chunks.
Mix kale in a bowl with all remaining ingredients and massage so that every bit of kale is covered.
Sprinkle onto a dehydrator non-stick sheet and dehydrate for 12 hours.
Place onto a mesh sheet
and dehydrate for a further 4 hours.



Love and Cookies

Jennifer



Friday, September 2, 2011

Why dieting just sucks!!!



Atkins, South Beach, The Zone, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem,...All these names,all these diets and all that Bullshit.EXCUSE my language!!The reason why women and men are so confused about diet and nutrition is because at least once or twice a year there is another crazy,new diet on the market.You will get skinny overnight forever for the rest of your life-until you gain all the weight back and you feel even worse then before.

The Atkins diet for example is one of the worst eating plans out there.It is a low carb,high protein diet on which you are supposed to eat tons of animal protein like bacon,butter,eggs and Dr.Atkin's wants you to cut out any kind of fruit and whole grains.Huuh?Since when does an apple make you fat!?
Dr. Atkins' book actually recommends such foods as fried pork rinds and bacon cheeseburgers. It states on the first page: "Imagine losing weight with a diet that lets you have bacon and eggs for breakfast, heavy cream in your coffee, plenty of meat and even salad with dressing for lunch and dinner!"
Wow what a diet revolution!!!
It is proven that a high animal protein diet can cause cancer and many other diet related diseases.I just don't understand how people can believe that this kind of diet is a healthy lifestyle.
Do you lose weight?Yes you do!Why?
Because when the body can't find enough carbohydrates to function properly, it produces ketones, an emergency fuel that can be utilized in times of crisis or fasting. Built into our genetic code is the ability to survive periods of time without food, such as periods of food scarcity, or natural disasters. We are designed by nature to survive on a plant-based diet, rich in carbohydrates- when our cells realize they are not receiving enough fuel from carbohydrates, the body receives messages to dip into its fat reserves to produce ketones as an emergency fuel. Ketones rise in our bloodstream and the body begins to lose fat in spite of a large consumption of high fat animal foods.The price for eating a high protein diet is chronic ketones.Besides cancer risk,the kidneys are put under extrem stress and age rapidly.


You might lose some weight but you will lose your health too!!!


Dieting will turn you into a crazy Biatch..some diet plans are way to strict and cut out way to many things that are actually good and necessary for our body and our health.Some diet plans are full off processed packaged garbage food (Hello, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem) and some diets allow you to eat whatever you want, but make sure you count your points!!
You can use all your points on complete junk food.Doesn't really make sense to me.

You will feel deprived every time you go on a diet-who wouldn't if you are not allowed to eat juicy sweet fruit or a bowl of oatmeal.We all have to built a relationship with everything in life-even with food.If you look at the apple pie and think ''I can't have you!You will make my butt big and my thighs even more.You are bad bad bad!Trust me sooner or later you will lose your willpower.Do I wish we would live in a world without processed crap sometimes?Yes absolutely, but we all have to learn not to look at things in a bad way.If you don't allow yourself a cookie every once in a while you will go crazy and I mean,give me the whole box,oh I hate myself,now my stomach hurts crazy!!!Build a good loving relationship with everything in your life especially with food,your elliptical,your loved ones and yourself.

People have to understand that there is no secret diet plan,there is no magic pill or exercise machine that will get you into shape without any effort.We all have to start thinking about what we put into our bodies.We have to stop counting calories and instead thinking about where the food comes from,if it will provide us with nutrients and energy.We have to start exercising regularly,even if we just dance in front of the TV or take a walk.The mind and body is connected,so we have to learn how to deal with our issues in life without stuffing our faces with another burger and fries, thinking that it will make our problems disappear.

We all have our enemies in life and for a lot of  us,it is food.We eat, because we are sad,we eat when we are happy,we eat in front of the TV or when we feel lonely.A lot of people use food because they are bored or depressed.
Food is supposed to be fun and beautiful, not be looked at as a constant struggle in life.Food is not the problem it is the way we pursue it!

The next time you want to go on a crazy diet, think about what you could do to really make your body and mind sweet and healthy!!!

Love and cookies

Jennifer

Yummy Bean Balls

My friend Sarah wanted me to post my recipe for vegan ''meat'' balls.They are so good and you can eat them hot or cold, with spaghetti and tomato sauce or serve them as appetizers with  some condiments like barbecue sauce,peach salsa or even curry sauce.Feel free to substitute the spices to suit your taste.





Ingredients

1 cup cooked kidney beans
1/2cup cooked brown rice
1/4 cup oats
1/3 cup flax seed
1 tablespoon braggs liquid aminos
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon coconut nectar or other liquid sweetener
1 teaspoons dry mustard



Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until mixture resembles texture and appearance of ground meat and most beans are no longer whole. Do not over mix.
Wet hands and form mixture into balls. You should get around 16. Place on a baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, turning once halfway through baking time. Let rest for 10 minutes after baking to firm up.

Love and cookies

Jennifer

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Whats up with the meat!!!

Ok let's discuss the big meat subject...I could never live without meat.Where do you get your protein from?I am a guy I need meat.Vegans are sick and unhealthy.Our anchestors ate meat....yadayadayada
Heard it, done it let's talk facts!!
Let me start by saying, I am not here to judge anybody,my husband eats meat,my whole family does and most of my friends do.I stopped with the preaching a long time ago,doesn't get you anywhere.If people ask me about the way I eat or have health related questions I love to answer, otherwise I don't even mention it.I used to be a steak and potatoes girl..some fillet mignon and some creamy mashed potatoes-perfect I was in heaven.Top it off with some sugar, dairy cows blood dessert and I was all good to go..at least until I had to take a nap or spend the next hour in the bathroom...well lets not go there.

We all know that meat is very hard to digest,that is why we often feel sluggish and tired after a big steak.Meat putrefies within 4 hours after we eat it and the remnants cling to the walls of the intestines for 14-21 days. If a person is suffering from constipation the rotting meat can stay in the intestines for months or years.Our small intestines are about 23 feet long.A tiger on the other hand has a very short digestive tract,so he is able to absorb and break down the flesh he eats quickly. Also the saliva in humans is more alkaline, whereas in the case of animals that eat flesh, it is clearly acidic. The alkaline saliva does  not have the ability to break down the meat.
We also do not have any sharp long claws or teeth to hunt,catch and kill our prey.We would all be vegetarians if we would have to start hunting our meat all by ourselves just with our own human strength.Pretty crazy,knowing that some people can hardly make it to the fridge!!!!
We are not meant to eat meat because all omnivorous and carnivorous animals eat their meat raw. When a lion kills an herbivore for food, it tears right into the stomach area to eat the organs that are filled with blood (nutrients). While eating the stomach, liver, intestine, etc., the lion laps the blood in the process of eating the dead animal's flesh. Even bears that are omnivores eat salmon raw. However, eating raw bloody meat disgust us as humans.Most off you would end up with food poisoning in the hospital or would throw up from the smell before you could even ''enjoy'' the taste off it. This is why humans must cook it and season it to cover the taste of the flesh.
Those are the facts of the human body-it is not an opinion it is the way we are born.PERIOD!!



There is no longer any doubt about the fact that eating meat is bad for your health.
Meat contains absolutely no fiber and nothing - no protein, vitamins or minerals - that your body cannot obtain perfectly happily from a plant based diet.
The list of diseases known to be associated with meat, which are commoner among meat eaters, looks like the index of a medical textbook.Anaemia, appendicitis, arthritis, breast cancer, cancer of the colon, cancer of the prostate, constipation, diabetes, gall stones, gout, high blood pressure, indigestion, obesity, piles, strokes and varicose veins are just some of the well known disorders which are more likely to affect meat eaters than vegetarians.
It is not just how our body is designed that causes those diseases, but also that we consume animal products way to often, sometimes with every single meal and whatever crap the cow,pig or chicken ate you will eat too.
Foods that animals get to eat  can contain cattle manure, swine waste, and poultry litter. This waste may contain drugs such as antibiotics and hormones that have passed unchanged through the animals' bodies.  Animals raised in humane conditions with appropriate space and food rarely require medical treatment. But animals at animal factories often receive antibiotics to promote faster growth and to compensate for crowded, stressful, and unsanitary living conditions. An estimated 13.5 million pounds of antibiotics—the same classes of antibiotics used in human medicine—are routinely added to animal feed or water. This routine, non therapeutic use of antibiotics speeds the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can infect humans as well as animals.
One last surprise. While grain may sound like a healthful food, the excessive quantities fed to some animals are not. This is especially true for cattle, which are natural grass eaters. Their digestive systems are not designed to handle the large amounts of corn they receive. As a result of this corn-rich diet, cattle can suffer significant health problems, including excessively acidic digestive systems and liver abscesses. Grain-induced health problems, in turn, ramp up the need for drugs.
Everything is a big circle...sick cow..sick human!!
There is no hiding from the truth.If you care about your health and still want to eat meat,eat it only once or twice a week and choose USDA organic grass fed meat.Know your sources,know your sources with everything,educate yourself and don't tell me you don't care about your health..you will one day for sure!!

To all the men out there, who still believe they will fall apart without meat-there are some great vegan athletes and body builders, that are doing better than ever on a plant based diet.Yes, it requires some planning and you have to eat a lot of food, if you are very active but the results will amaze you.There is a great book out there called Thrive-the vegan nutrition guide to optimal performance in sports and life by Brendan Brazier.Forward by Hugh Jackman who had to get back in shape for another X-Man movie.He was looking for an alternative to the meat-protein heavy diet he had to consume, to get big and bulky again.He didn't like the way he felt and so he educated himself on the plant based diet.To me Hugh Jackman looks pretty healthy and very manly..don't tell my husband I said that!!!


Every plant based food contains some protein. Our body is able to built ''complete protein'' by absorbing the amino acids from different foods.

Beans:

Contain a more complete set of amino acids than other plant-based food and they are high in iron, B vitamins and fiber. Try substituting beans in recipes that call for meat.

Grains:

Whole grains are an excellent source of nutrition, as they contain essential enzymes, iron, dietary fiber, vitamin E, and the B-complex vitamins. Because the body absorbs grain slowly, they provide sustained and high quality energy. Try quinoa, a complete protein source, and super easy to make.

NUTS AND SEEDS

The best protein source in this category is hemp.Sprouting your nuts and seeds makes the protein extra easy for your body to absorb and also boosts the nutrient content.

Green Vegetables:

Nutritionally, greens are very high in protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E and K. They are crammed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll and many other micro-nutrients and phyto-chemicals. Simply add to smoothies, salads or steam some broccoli, kale, bok choy, or cabbage.

Sea Vegetables:

As this planet’s singularly most nutritious food, sea vegetables contain protein and all of the minerals needed for health. With 10 to 20 times the minerals of land plants, plus the added punch of a range of vitamins, the addition of sea vegetables to your diet will help meet your nutritional needs.

Try to substitute some of these foods for meat and see how you feel.
Plants rock!!!!

Love and cookies

Jennifer

Ice cream rainbow-kinda!

Sweet summer is coming to an end! I am trying to enjoy the last couple of days or maybe even weeks(you never know in Chicago) of sunshine.This ice cream recipe is called Neopolitan but I just like the name rainbow ice cream better, because in my world rainbows are made out of vegan chocolate,vanilla and strawberry ice cream.
It is easy to make and it is delicious and nutritious.



Ingredients:
 
3 bananas
1-1 1/2 cups almond or coconut milk
1 cup strawberries
1/4 cup cacao powder
1 tbsp alcohol free vanilla
A little bit of date syrup or coconut nectar (optional)

Preparation:
 
To make the different kinds of rainbow layers you have to be a little patient and freeze every layer at a time.
Blend strawberries and 1 banana with the nut milk and freeze in an airtight container.You will have to wait about two hours till the strawberry layer is frozen.
Blend 1 banana,vanilla and nut milk and add on top of the frozen strawberry layer..freeze again.
Then blend the last banana,nut milk and cacao powder and add on top of the banana layer..freeze everything overnight.
You can blend a little bit of sweetener to your different flavors if you like it sweet.I think the bananas give enough sweetnes.
To save time you can blend each layer up and put in separate containers.Stick them in the freezer for a few hours and when the layers are starting to freeze layer them on top of each other and put back in the freezer overnight.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Mexican Caprese



This dish has become my favorite lunch lately.Fresh tomatoes and basil from the garden and creamy avocado.Can't beat that!

Recipe

1 ripe Avocado
1 Tomato
A handful of basil leaves
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper

Remove the pit and skin from the avocado and cut into slices
Cut tomato into slices
Arrange avocado and tomato on a plate in an avocado-tomato pattern.
Put basil over the caprese
Top with balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper

Sugar for my honey and my money..


As you might recognize I changed my blog name into SWEET HEALTHY LIFE.
Why?I think life is sweet as cookies and cakes..but we all have to stay healthy to enjoy it
I love desserts,especially healthy raw vegan desserts.I have always been a sugar addict,no not fries,not burgers...sweet sugary yummy bad for you things like donuts,cakes,pies and of course chocolate.I could eat chocolate all day and night,if there would be a chocolate shower I would be the first one jumping into it every morning.And of course I would take a chocolate bath at night!!
But guess what white sugar is bad for you,there is nothing about it, that makes your life sweeter,it makes you sick,obese,it gives you bad teeth and it even ages you.But not all sugars are created equal,there are some great healthy alternatives out there,which even have some health benefits to it.

My favorite natural sweetener is DATES and DATE SYRUP.I use them in all of my raw desserts,if I need to add a liquid sweetener I blend a cup of dates with 2 cups of water and make date syrup.It is one of the most natural sweeteners you can get.Dates are one of the best natural sources of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral your body needs to maintain muscle contractions including the vital heart muscle. Potassium is needed to maintain a healthy nervous system and to balance the body’s metabolism as well. Dates also contain a variety of B-complex vitamins – thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and pantothenic acid. These vitamins have a variety of functions that help maintain a healthy body – to metabolize carbohydrates and maintain blood glucose levels, fatty acids for energy, and they help make hemoglobin, the red and white blood cells. Dates also contain Magnesium which is essential for healthy bone development and for energy metabolism and Iron which is essential to red blood cell production. Red blood cells carry all the nutrients to cells throughout the body.
 
                                    Date tree




COCONUT NECTAR
Coconut nectar ingredients include an abundant source of minerals, 17 amino acids, Vitamin C, B Vitamins, naturally contains a prebiotic and it has a nearly neutral pH. Raw coconut sap is grown without chemicals, pesticides or herbicides and the process does not require heating and extensive processing as do other syrups such as maple and agave.



RAW ORGANIC HONEY
Yes I know,honey is not vegan and some of you might not like me anymore but raw honey has amazing health benefits.Raw honey is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the extractor; it is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurized, unprocessed honey. Honey’s nutritional profile is primarily carbohydrates, water, vitamins and minerals. These vitamins and minerals include: niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.
The following lists some of the health benefits of raw honey
-Excellent source of antioxidants. Flavinoid pinocembrin is unique to honey, which optimizes health benefits; whereas, pinostrobin supports and promotes healthy enzyme activity.
-In sports and endurance, honey can provide 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon, and can be an inexpensive alternative to commercial sports gels.
-Supports "good bacteria" like Bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which is essential for efficient digestion and good health. Honey contains pre/pro biotic that help the growth and activity of Bifidobacteria because it is an alkaline-forming food, and is similar to ingredients found in fruits. It doesn’t ferment in the stomach and it can be used to counteract indigestion.
-Raw honey has inherent anti-fungal properties, can treat allergies by promoting a strong immune system, and has powerful anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
-Aging is the slow depletion of enzymes from the body, and raw honey is one of the few foods that can be ingested to get a surplus of amalase. Amlase is the enzyme that breaks down sugars and carbohydrates. It can restore damaged skin to give softer, younger look.



MAPLE SYRUP
Pure maple syrup contains significant amounts of both zinc, an immune supporter and helpful to male reproductive health, and manganese, which is good for bone health.The sugars in maple syrup are absorbed more slowly by the body than refined sugar.
Maple syrup grades have nothing to do with quality or nutrition. Instead, they simply refer to the color of the syrup, and thus, its flavor.
The lightest and mildest syrups, which are generally harvested at the beginning of the season, are called "fancy grade A" or sometimes "grade A light amber"; At the middle of the spectrum are "grade A medium amber" and "grade A dark amber."
Finally, there's "grade B", the dark, thick syrup that packs a strong maple punch with caramel undertones. 
Just make sure you buy the real thing, pure organic maple syrup and nothing else.


 


Then there is AGAVE

I know that agave is very popular and common in desserts that are called healthy.The problem with agave is that it is processed at high temperatures.The process by which agave glucose and inulin are converted into ''nectar'' is similar to the process by which corn starch is converted into HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.That is all I need to know!!

I hope you guys enjoy the sweet life!!!

love and cookies

Jennifer