Aug 242012
 
Eggplant Leek Soup recipe at the bottom!

 

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There were a few things about growing up in Massachusetts that I wouldn’t trade the world for.
 
Cape Cod
 
I got to bring my baby there back in 2009.  Yikes – my hair was not at its best that day, but my daughter sure looked psyched.
 
I think I was about 8 lbs heavier then than I am now
(thank you to my plant based diet and Mila!).
 The marsh – Sandwich Cape Cod that I used to jump off this bridge at high tide in the summers.
 
 
 My mom’s best friend Martha.
Mom, My daughter and Martha
 
After having tons of pregnancy problems prior to having my daughter, including a loss at 8 months pregnant with my first baby and two miscarriages, I made a “Vision Board”.  I pasted a photo of a healthy baby girl and a picture of a baby in Cape Cod.  I dreamed of bringing her back home to Cape Cod to visit.
 
Both came true!
 
 Martha got to meet her in 2009!
 
We flew up to visit when my daughter was 10 months old and stayed at her cottage on the Cape where she lives in the summer and in Louisiana in the winter.
 
 
 
Each morning while visiting I would push my daughter in her stroller on the short walk to the ocean in the cool morning air.  I love the weathered shingles, hydrangea and smell of the salty sea.
 

 

I’m so thankful for my best friend Jenny; she is the one of the only friends I keep in touch with, other than on facebook, from my childhood.
 
You  have already met her in this post, remember?  She came down for a visit in July.
 
 The house I grew up in. It looks WAY different.  Someone came in and bought it and made major renovations adding the front entryway there and the whole addition above the garage and we had a glorious garden off to the right.
 
It used to be “the white house with yellow shutters”.
Number 9……
The house I grew up in.
 
 ……and Jenny’s house was number 4, so we could run to each other’s house to play.
 
 I’ll admit I don’t miss the long, cold winters, but there were many memories I treasure and experiences I’m so thankful for.
 
 
It was Jenny that told me about this recipe. Martha makes it in huge batches and freezes it.
I can see why it’s Jenny’s favorite soup…..eggplant, garlic, onion, leeks and red wine give this soup a hearty texture and flavor but it’s actually super light!
 
I guestimated at the serving size but this makes a lot.
For those of you Mila lovers out there, this is PERFECT to stir Mila into. Simply stir 2 Tbsp into your bowl of warm soup.
What is Mila?
 
Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 
 
It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking.
 
It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to 6 to 10 fish oil pills per serving.  
 
A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.
 
This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!
Eggplant Leek Soup
Inspired by my mom’s best friend Martha
Serves 8 – 10
Vegan, Gluten Free
 

Ingredients

2 Tbsp avocado oil, or oil of choice
1 large leek, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 onions sliced
2 lg. for 4 small eggplants diced, skin on
1Tbsp chopped garlic, (about 4 lg cloves)
1 can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 bay leaf
1/2 Tbsp salt, or to taste
1 dash red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp Earth Balance Butter
3/4 cup red wine
3 cans vegetable broth
1Tbsp fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried
Fresh ground pepper to taste
1 T cocoa power
Juice of 1 lemon

Optional
2 Tbsp Mila per serving

Directions

1. Preheat a pan over medium high heat.  Add 2 Tbsp oil; sauté leeks, onions, eggplants and bell pepper until softened, about 7 minutes; add garlic, saute an additional 2 minutes; add all ingredients except cocoa powder, Earth Balance butter and lemon juice; reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add butter and cocoa powder; cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes; stir in lemon juice; purée until smooth.

Nutrition Facts
8 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 162.4
Total Fat 6.8 g
Saturated Fat 1.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.6 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 862.8 mg
Potassium 542.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate 21.6 g
Dietary Fiber 5.5 g
Sugars 3.4 g
Protein 3.0 g

Vitamin A 19.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 16.5 %
Vitamin C 44.7 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 3.0 %
Calcium 5.4 %
Copper 10.2 %
Folate 15.4 %
Iron 10.6 %
Magnesium 11.0 %
Manganese 31.5 %
Niacin 6.6 %
Pantothenic Acid 5.1 %
Phosphorus 7.3 %
Riboflavin 5.4 %
Selenium 2.0 %
Thiamin 9.0 %
Zinc 3.0 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.


With 2 Tbsp Mila
Calories 232
Fat 10g
Chol 0.0mg
Sodium 862.8mg
Fiber 10.5g
Protein 6g

Aug 192012
 

Easy Mexican Mila Tortilla Bake

Easy Mexican Mila Tortilla Bake

 

Friday night was my second wine and Mila soirée.
We laughed, we talked nutrition, we drank and we ate dishes made with Mila.

All is quiet after work – waiting for my friends to arrive!
 
What is Mila?
(Those of you that follow me regularly already know but for those of you that are new, here is the info.)
 
Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 
 
It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking.
 
It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to 6 to 10 fish oil pills per serving.  
 
A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.
 
This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!
 
My friend Jodi and my mom Diane.
We discussed the fact that Mila is a FOOD, not a pill, supplement, shake, powder or bar. It does more than just anti-aging or help you lose weight – it offers so much more! The nutrition of this food is amazing; it has 3000mg Omega 3s, antioxidants, 5 grams of fiber and only 70 calories. It will absorb many times its weight in liquid to help you feel full as well as offer tons of plant based vitamins and phytonutrients. Many shakes and pill supplements state that they have more nutrients than ten oranges, three pounds of kale, a whole salmon – blah, blah, blah.  When it comes down to it, your body is going to recognize the nutrients in an actual food much faster than a man made pill, shake or smoothie.
 
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. — Hippocrates, father of medicine, 431 B.C.
 
Da Food

I also love the fact that Mila can be used as an egg replacer for baked goods – which is awesome because my daughter is allergic to eggs.  Instead of using a powdered egg substitute, this is a great way to both bind and add all the benefits I listed above.

Lots o’ Glorious Wine

I made my world famous seven layer dip – with Mila mixed into the black beans.

Vegan 7 Layer Dip with Mila and Cashew Sour Cream

These cookies were baked with Mila – super soft and chewy.

Oatmeal, Raisin and Almond Cookies made with Mila

My mom brought a strawberry spinach salad with a red wine and Mila vinaigrette.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Red Wine and  Mila Vinaigrette

Jodi contributed a cheesy rice with Mila.

Cheesy Rice with Mila

A great time was had by all! A special thanks to my mentor Rachel, Megan who shared the first bag of Mila with me, my fabulous team members, Diane, Jodi, Suzanne, Chris and a long distance hug to Cara, thanks to those who stopped by and congratulations to my friend Jen who is the newest member of the team!!

Some of the fabulous ladies.
Mom enjoying her glass of wine.
 
Finally, the grand finale, my Mexican style tortilla bake - a super easy version of a lasagna. This versatile dish can be made vegan and gluten free or made with any regular tortillas you like, and any shredded cheese you have on hand.  This was an AWESOME way to slip Mila into my family’s diet.  Both my hubby and daughter polished off their serving and asked for more – little did they know they got half their day’s supply of Mila!
 

Instead of beef, I added a can of Amy’s Chili; it added tons of flavor and heartiness without the meat.  The tomatoes created a rich sauce and the black beans and fajita seasoning tie the whole dish together with a Mexican flair.  This one is definitely going under the favorites.  It is one of those casseroles that get even better the next day.

Want to try Mila for yourself?  Click HERE!

Easy Mexican Tortilla Bake with Mila

Easy Mexican Tortilla Bake with Mila

Vegan, Gluten Free
Serves 4
 

Ingredients

1 can (14.5oz) chili, I used Amy’s Medium Vegan Chili
1 can (14.5oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
2-4 scoops Mila
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes of choice (I used Muir Glen Fire Roasted, diced tomatoes with chilies), drained
2 Tbsp adobo or fajita seasoning (be sure to use a from scratch version or check the label for gluten free)
1 pkg (10oz) rice tortillas (or for non-gluten free use any you like)
1 cup shredded Daiya cheese (or any shredded cheese of choice)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix chili, beans, Mila, diced tomatoes and fajita seasoning in a medium bowl.

2. Spray a 9×13 with cooking spray.  Cut the tortillas in strips and layer on layer on the bottom of the baking pan.  Top with 1/2 the bean/Mila mixture, spreading with spatula, repeat.  Top with cheese, cover and bake 25 minutes or until heated through.

**This also freezes well!  Simply use two 8×8 pans and do not add the cheese to the half you are freezing.  Wrap tightly after layering and freeze for up to 1 month.  When ready to heat, bring to room temp, top with cheese and bake at 350F for 25 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts (with Mila)
8 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 296.5
Total Fat 8.7 g
Saturated Fat 1.3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.6 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 664.1 mg
Potassium 197.7 mg
Total Carbohydrate 42.1 g
Dietary Fiber 10.3 g
Sugars 4.5 g
Protein 11.3 g

Vitamin A 11.4 %
Vitamin B-6 6.5 %
Vitamin C 32.9 %
Calcium 8.2 %
Copper 6.5 %
Folate 16.0 %
Iron 18.1 %
Magnesium 12.5 %
Manganese 15.0 %
Niacin 6.1 %
Pantothenic Acid 4.0 %
Phosphorus 16.5 %
Riboflavin 1.5 %
Selenium 0.7 %
Thiamin 12.0 %
Zinc 5.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Jul 262012
 
Tropical Mila Crumble

I haven’t done a dessert in a while and this one is right up my alley (and if you follow my blog I know you will love it too). It utilizes all the fresh tropical fruits that are in the grocery right now and some shredded coconut with that signature sweet-nutty taste and bit of texture. On top is a toasted crumble that is the perfect balance of sweet, crunchy and salty.

Healthy Dessert

This versatile dessert is not too sweet so it’s perfect for breakfast and snack as well! The two scoops of Mila give it lots of fiber and Omega 3s the oat groats have a great crunch. I do believe this is my new summer favorite for both dessert and breakfast.

As for my new favorite food, Mila takes the cake. It’s a premium blend of Salvia Hispanica, or chia seed, that has been cold pressed and sliced.  From what I’ve learned there are two kinds of people – those of us that are selective about what we put in our bodies and those that want a bargain.  And you know, it’s all good.  Everyone has to do the right thing for their own body.  As for me, I am the first person in line at a thrift shop but when it comes to food, you guys know I don’t compromise.

Super Fast Dessert!

I will say that I had been eating organic chia AND ground flax every day but never noticed any difference – I just ate it because I knew it was good for me. When I got a sample of Mila, I was given no info other than the basics – that it’s a whole, raw, super-food.  I ate it for three weeks and noticed better energy and digestion and contacted my friend Megan (who also happens to be my mom’s nurse practitioner at her neurologist and a PhD) to get more.

Of course, I had to ask all about where it is grown, the conditions, and farming practices.  Each crop is cleaned and tested for the highest fiber content and Omega3s and then it is cold pressed and opened by slicing it to make it more bio available.  Mila has 3000 mg Omega3s per scoop! You can eat regular chia whole – but slicing it open preserves the oils and helps your body absorb the nutrients. 
If you want to try some just click HERE and try it out.  Please let me know what you think!

Tropical Crumble
 
Tropical Mila Crumble
Inspired by Grains of Paradise
Serves 6
Vegan and Gluten Free
Ingredients
1 mango, peeled and seeded
1 orange, peeled
1/2 banana
1 cup cubed fresh pineapple
1/4 cup shredded unsweet coconut
1 tsp vanilla extract
Dash of salt
Crumble
4 Medjool dates, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup oat groats (you can use oatmeal but it won’t be as crunchy)
2 scoops Mila (4 Tbsp)
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
Dash of salt
Directions
1. Preheat broiler to high.  Blend mango through vanilla in a Magic Bullet or food processor.  Pour into 9×9 baking dish that has been prepared with cooking spray (I used coconut).
2. Pulse the crumble ingredients together and pour evenly top of the fruit mixture.  Broil 2 to 3 minutes or until browned and crunchy.

p.s. Here are some photos I had to throw in.  My 3 year old daughter took these.  Not bad!

Nutrition Facts 
6 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 181.8
Total Fat 7.2 g
Saturated Fat 5.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.9 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 54.5 mg
Potassium 202.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 28.2 g
Dietary Fiber 4.8 g
Sugars 14.3 g
Protein 2.8 g

Vitamin A 6.2 % 
Vitamin B-6 7.2 %
Vitamin C 38.3 %
Vitamin E 2.4 %
Calcium 3.4 %
Copper 4.8 %
Folate 3.8 %
Iron 5.0 %
Magnesium 3.4 %
Manganese 25.3 %
Niacin 2.4 %
Pantothenic Acid 1.9 %
Phosphorus 3.2 %
Riboflavin 2.9 %
Selenium 1.0 %
Thiamin 4.3 %
Zinc 0.5 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Nutrition Facts
Info on 4 servings in case you’re hungry!
Amount Per Serving

Calories 272.7
Total Fat 10.9 g
Saturated Fat 7.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.8 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 81.8 mg
Potassium 303.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 42.4 g
Dietary Fiber 7.2 g
Sugars 21.5 g
Protein 4.2 g

Vitamin A 9.3 %
Vitamin B-6 10.8 %
Vitamin C 57.4 %
Vitamin E 3.7 %
Calcium 5.2 %
Copper 7.2 %
Folate 5.8 %
Iron 7.5 %
Magnesium 5.1 %
Manganese 37.9 %
Niacin 3.6 %
Pantothenic Acid 2.9 %
Phosphorus 4.7 %
Riboflavin 4.3 %
Selenium 1.5 %
Thiamin 6.5 %
Zinc 0.8 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Jul 132012
 
I promise to get back to some recipes soon but first I want to thank all that attended the Wine and Mila tasting last night.  Candles, music, wine and amazing food – I think we all had a great time! My only regret is that I didn’t get more photos.
I made some cookies with Mila instead of eggs and my seven layer dip was a big hit.  No one could believe that the sour cream was actually made with cashews and Mila was mixed in with the black bean layer.
Lots of wine (and notice my Vegan 7 layer dip in the background)
Great mix of friends!

Michele, Larissa, Dan and my mom

Strawberry Salad with Mila See Dressing
I can not wait until my next wine and Mila tasting!  What a perfect excuse to have a get-together.  :)

What is Mila?
Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 
It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking
It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to 6 to 10 fish oil pills per serving.  
A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.
This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!
Try some for yourself!  (Click here)
 Posted by at 2:40 pm  Tagged with:
Jul 102012
 
Seven Layer Bean Dip with Mila
Greetings!  I just got back from our camping trip to St Augustine.  Yes I am crazy and yes, it was definitely hot and yes, there was mosquitoes the size of Texas. But you know what?  I’m a camper and I love it. Ok so I do have AC in my trailer but I still consider it camping.  Hey I know what it’s like….I tented for many years and I’ve ventured three times into the deserts of Arizona with a tent for two weeks at a time.  No running water and scorpions.
This time we spent the days staying as cool as we could.  First thing in the morning we hit our favorite zoological park, the  Alligator Farm, then right afterwards we hit a nice splash park, we ate lunches out and visited the farmers market. In the evenings we enjoyed a few glasses of wine and my daughter roasted up some marshmallows.  This was an all girls trip – no boys allowed!

Here are just a few pics from our adventure. This is where my daughter takes over for the photography.

I was ordered to BE SILLY.
Lunch! Present Moment Cafe offers raw and vegan options.

Here is my daughter trying to roast marshmallows over our smoke signal fire.  It wasn’t me. The wood must have been wet.

And finally we get to the recipe.  I bought this to a 4th of July celebration and it got rave reviews.  Especially the cashew sour cream.  No one could believe it wasn’t regular sour cream!  To me it tastes like a cross between cream cheese and sour cream.  Spread this on your bagels and you won’t miss the other white stuff one bit.

What is Mila?
Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 
It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking.
It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to 6 to 10 fish oil pills per serving.  
A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.
This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!

Sound good?  Try some for yourself and see!

***To prepare this dish be sure to soak the raw cashews ahead of time!

Vegan Layered Bean Dip with Cashew Sour Cream and Mila
Vegan, Gluten Free
Ingredients
Layer 1
2 cups cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup chopped red and green onion
1/4 tsp Adobo seasoning
Layer 2
1 14.5 oz can black beans
1 scoop Mila
1/4 tsp Adobo seasoning
Layer 3
1 can light, low sodium refried beans (I used Eden Organic)
Juice 1/4 lime
Layer 4
1 to 2 cups fresh salsa (or salsa of choice)
Layer 5
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
Layer 6
1/2 cup vegan mozzarella cheese (I used Daiya)
1 cup cashew sour cream: (1 cup raw cashews, soaked a few hours or overnight), 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice, 2 Tbsp Cider Vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt – blend until smooth, adding water if needed.
Layer 7
3 to 4 cups chopped lettuce

Directions

1. Mix the ingredients of each layer, one at a time, in a medium bowl.

2. Press each layer gently into a trifle bowl.  Serve with hearty organic corn chips.

Jun 272012
 
One of the best things in life is meeting new people and experiencing new things.  Last Saturday was one of the most fun and memorable.  My friend Gregg, who has been supplying me the wines for the Wine Down Wednesday posts, and his wife Kerry (I hope that is the correct spelling!) had us over for dinner.
  A dinner party turned Karaoke night around the piano.
Think Elton John. Rocket Man.


We wined and dined and had an amazing time.  He showed us around his vintage home in Riverside – complete with wine memorabilia from Bono no less!
Also in attendance were my friends Alyson and her husband Chip, who brought a meteorite from their back yard as a dinner conversation piece, and Mark and Sheri – we all do yoga together so it was great to meet up off the mat.  I can’t wait for us all to meet again.


To detox after a night of wine I got it into my head that I wanted to make a macro (macrobiotic) bowl with grains and veggies but when I looked at my acorn squash I just couldn’t remove the skin – it was too pretty – so I thought, why not turn the squash into the bowl? 

Secondly, I’m always looking for new ways to eat my Mila. Because I write about Mila a lot, I created this little info blurb.  That way any frequent visitors that already know the benefits can skip over that and head right to the recipe.

Mila is an organically grown, non-genetically modified blend of chia seed that is cold pressed and sliced to make it more bio-available. 

It is RAW, GLUTEN FREE, AND VEGAN, perfect for cooking and baking.

It is super high in OMEGA 3s – equal to fish oil pills per serving.  

A single serving also has FIVE GRAMS OF FIBER, more antioxidants than blueberries, more iron than spinach and many more benefits.

This little seed has anti-inflammatory properties, is excellent for brain function, energy, elimination, sleep and the best part?  It’s a FOOD!

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Acorn Squash from KYV Farm
I got this unique acorn squash from Vivian at KYV Farm (CSA SIGNUPS ARE GOING ON NOW)  I’ve never seen such a thing in the grocery store.  I usually see the typical green acorn squash that has a tinge of orange but this one is the beauty queen of squashes.
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Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffing them with onions and garlic during cooking imparts a LOT of flavor.  This technique is perfect at Thanksgiving.  While everyone is stuffing their bird you can stuff your squash.
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Macro Acorn Squash Bowl with Mila, Massaged Kale and Tahini Sauce
Macro Acorn Squash Bowl with Mila, Massaged Kale and Tahini Sauce
Serves 4
Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients


Squash
2 acorn squash, cut in half and seeds removed
1 onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, crushed
Olive oil spray
Sea salt
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup cooked black beans
4 Tbsp Mila (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste.


Massaged Kale
1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped
2 Tbsp ume plum vinegar (or sub any vinegar you like)
2 tsp olive oil
Sea Salt


Tahini Sauce
2 Tbsp tahini
2 Tbsp miso
2 Tbsp fresh lemon
1 Tbsp raw agave


Directions


1. Preheat oven to 375.  Arrange squash, cut side up on baking dish, stuff with 1/4 onion and 1 clove garlic; spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with sea salt; bake 1 hour.


2. Mix kale ingredients together in medium bowl, massage kale until wilted, about a minute.


4. Mix tahini sauce in a small bowl.


3. Remove squash from oven.  Remove onions and garlic; chopp and mix with rice, season to taste.  Mix Mila with black beans if using.  Stuff 1/4 cup black beans and 1/4 cup rice into each squash. 
Serve each half squash with 1/4 kale and 1/4 tahini sauce.


(**Rosted potatos on the side optional – roast along with squash)



Nutrition Facts (includes Mila)
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 392.8
Total Fat 11.9 g
Saturated Fat 1.3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.7 g
Monounsaturated Fat 3.4 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 67.0 mg
Potassium 1,423.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate 63.5 g
Dietary Fiber 16.8 g
Sugars 3.3 g
Protein 14.0 g

Vitamin A 369.1 %
Vitamin B-12 0.1 %
Vitamin B-6 31.7 %
Vitamin C 141.5 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 8.0 %
Calcium 30.4 %
Copper 30.8 %
Folate 33.4 %
Iron 31.9 %
Magnesium 34.4 %
Manganese 78.5 %
Niacin 14.7 %
Pantothenic Acid 11.7 %
Phosphorus 36.6 %
Riboflavin 11.9 %
Selenium 5.7 %
Thiamin 39.7 %
Zinc 11.5 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Jun 182012
 
I have more good news and bad news.
The bad news is that we’re all so busy.  Who the heck has time to 1) eat healthy, and 2) wash the stupid blender?
Between working full time, spending time with family and friends, working out at the gym and going to yoga, writing a food blog, planning farm events, going camping, and starting my business, I don’t have much time left.
The good news is that I have found the solution to breakfast on those days you don’t have a spare minute.
Or at least my mom has.  She came up with this idea to mix Mila, a type of sliced, non GMO, organically grown blend of chia seeds, in with pre-made smoothie, unsweet almond milk and a bit of ice-cold water to thin.  I’m sure this has been done by someone else; but mom, you’re getting the credit this time.
Everyone knows how great Omega3s are for us and everyone says they don’t have time to eat well but lucky for us Mila has more nutrition in one scoop than some people get in a week.  The trouble is that some folks aren’t sure the about the texture of this little, raw, nutrient packed seed, so this is a way to get your Mila in that is easy and tasty.  Mila is smooth – not gritty like regular chia can be, the almond milk is creamy and the smoothie mix adds a bit of fruitiness (or fruit and veggie-ness); they all blend together to make a satisfying smoothie that is great to take on the go.
This no-blender smoothie will make your life easier and your health better.
Cheers!
Mila Almond No-Blender Smoothie
Serves 1
Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients

1 scoop Mila  (To buy Mila)
1/3 cup smoothie Mix (I used Bolthouse Farms Carrot, Berry or Green Goddess)
1/2 cup unsweet almond milk
1/4 cold water

Directions

1. Stir all ingredients together.

Nutrition Facts (Based on Bolthouse Farms Carrot Juice)
1 Serving
Amount Per Serving

Calories 111.0
Total Fat 5.5 g
Saturated Fat 0.0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 135.0 mg
Potassium 278.0 mg
Total Carbohydrate 9.2 g
Dietary Fiber 5.8 g
Sugars 4.2 g
Protein 4.1 g

Vitamin A 215.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.0 %
Vitamin C 7.5 %
Vitamin D 12.5 %
Vitamin E 25.0 %
Calcium 19.2 %
Copper 9.0 %
Folate 1.0 %
Iron 7.6 %
Magnesium 13.0 %
Manganese 12.0 %
Niacin 5.0 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.0 %
Phosphorus 13.0 %
Riboflavin 0.0 %
Selenium 5.0 %
Thiamin 10.0 %
Zinc 3.0 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Jun 112012
 

Hi All,

I hope you can join me for this week’s “Wednesday Wine and a Webinar”. We won’t be sitting together in the same room but we’ll be together in spirit – with a glass of wine!


If you love helping people and healthy whole foods and have been looking for a positive change, this particular webinar could be right up your alley, so I wanted to reach out and invite you to join me.


Space is limited so please RSVP to me and let me know if you are able to attend at chefdawn@hotmail.com. You’ll hear about the healthiest whole, raw food on the planet, Mila and also learn about creating additional income. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit and positive attitude. I promise you that you’ll consider the time extremely well spent. Please RSVP as soon as possible so we can save a seat for you.


Check out the webinar details below and mark your calendar for 9pm tonight to attend! To learn more about this incredible company and the way it’s changed my life, visit my website.


DATE/TIME:
Every Wednesday
9:00 pm ET / 6:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm HST
ACCESS LINK:
http://webinar.lifemax.net
ACCESS DETAILS:
Type name and city in the “name” field; leave “password” blank

 Posted by at 10:42 pm  Tagged with:
Jun 112012
 
KYV Eggplants, Heirloom Tomatos, Peppers and Cucumbers
Oxidative Stress is becoming a big buzzword nowadays – but what exactly is it?  Oxidative stress is the imbalance of our bodies oxidizing at a greater rate than its ability to detoxify. Something we’re all familiar with is the oxidation of an apple or avocado when we cut it – that is why the flesh turns brown when it comes in contact with the air.

What worsens the oxidative stress in our bodies is the presence of free radicals, according to Dr Weil, author of Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being (Knopf, 2005), they are “electronically unstable atoms or molecules capable of stripping electrons from any other molecules they meet in an effort to achieve stability. In their wake they create even more unstable molecules that then attack their neighbors in domino-like chain reactions.

By the time a free radical chain fizzles out, it may have ripped through vital componentsof cells like a tornado, causing extensive damage, similar to that caused by ionizing radiation.

What we eat, our lack of exercise, radiation and pollution all contribute to the presence of these free radicals. Studies show that this stress, in turn leads to a host of diseases such as Alzheimer’s to Lou Gherigs – the disease my grandfather had.
My grandfather was a testament to the power of REAL FOOD. Typically someone with ALS will live around five years. My grandmother, following a macrobiotic diet, kept him alive into his mid seventies-he was diagnosed in his 50s.
So what do we do about this? Eat antioxidants!

Antioxidants combat oxidative stress by neutralizing these free radicals and helping the body repair the damage.

A food that we all know contains lots of antioxidants is berries, top on the list at Mayo Clinic, along with sweet potatoes, oats, cinnamon and walnuts.

What has even more antioxidants than berries and the whole reason I’ve been doing more research?

Mila.  As I have been getting more and more questions and interest surrounding this food I have spent a significant amount of time doing the research on its benefits and how to incorporate it, deliciously, into our diets.
Try some for yourself! Click here.

In this month’s issue of Cooking Light there were several eggplant recipes that caught my eye as I had gotten two with my farm share. I love anything with tahini and beans so this sounded like the perfect recipe.  Instead of egg I used Mila to create the binding and add Omega 3s to a vegan dish.

Even though the ingredient list is long, I was not disappointed.  I loved the bean flavorful bean mixture inside the eggplant and the warm, nutty sauce on top.  The relish added a cool finish to the dish. Mixing raw and cooked ingredients creates lots of interesting textures. I definitely rate this one highly-next time I may even use the stuffing in another vegetable since it’s so versatile!

Vegan Falafel-Stuffed Eggplant withTahini Sauce and Tomato Relish

Serves 4
Vegan, Gluten Free
Printable Recipe

Ingredients


Tahini sauce:
3 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon agave
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 garlic clove, minced

Eggplant:
2 eggplants (about 12 ounces or 340 grams each)
Cooking spray
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup fresh gluten free breadcrumbs (or regular)
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 Tbsp Mila + 6 Tbsp water (in place of two large eggs – feel free to use if you have those on hand or have a seed allergy and are not eating vegan).
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added pinto beans (chickpeas can also be used)

Relish:

1 cup chopped seeded tomato
1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1. To prepare sauce, combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, and stir with a whisk. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 475°.

3. To prepare eggplant, slice the eggplants in half lengthwise; score cut sides with a crosshatch pattern. Place the eggplant halves, cut sides down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 475° for 7 minutes or until slightly tender and browned. Remove from oven; carefully scoop out pulp, leaving a 3/4-inch shell. Reserve pulp for another use. Season cut sides with 1/4 teaspoon salt.

4. Combine remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, onion, and remaining ingredients (through pinto beans or
chickpeas) in a food processor; process until smooth. Spoon 1/2 cup pinto (or chickpea) mixture into each eggplant shell. Bake at 475° for 25 minutes or until eggplant halves are tender and pinto mixture is lightly browned.

5. To prepare relish, combine the tomato and remaining ingredients in a bowl; stir to combine.

6. Place 1 eggplant half on each of 4 plates. Top each half with 1/4 cup relish and 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce.

Nutrition Facts
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 341.6
Total Fat 12.6 g
Saturated Fat 1.7 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 5.8 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 712.8 mg
Potassium 1,070.8 mg
Total Carbohydrate 47.4 g
Dietary Fiber 16.8 g
Sugars 1.6 g
Protein 14.0 g
Vitamin A 16.3 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 19.8 %
Vitamin C 38.8 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 5.3 %
Calcium 13.3 %
Copper 29.6 %
Folate 61.9 %
Iron 28.5 %
Magnesium 28.4 %
Manganese 53.3 %
Niacin 11.3 %
Pantothenic Acid 9.2 %
Phosphorus 33.9 %
Riboflavin 13.4 %
Selenium 12.3 %
Thiamin 30.2 %
Zinc 14.0 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Jun 062012
 
Florida Coastal Cooking
Welcome back to Wine Down Wednesday where I review a vegan dish paired with two different wines from Broadbent Selections.
 To pair wines with a meatless dish we must look at the spices and main flavors of the recipe.
In this case we look at the rich, ripe tomato and roasted garlic.
  

The rating info:

Categories
 
Category #1 – How well my dish turned out.
Category #2 – How well I like the wine.
Category #3 – Pairing notes – How well this wine pairs with the dish.

Rating Scale

Bleck -This wine is pretty bad.
Ho Hum- I could drink it if I was at a football game and there was nothing else in the cooler.
Nice -Good table wine. I would keep this in the wine cooler if it was a good value.
Yum – This is good, I would pay a fair bit more and have it for a special occasion.
Damn that’s Good – Self explanatory.
** We will use the same terminology for how the dish turned out and how well it paired.

Category #1 The Dish

Rating of Yum

I chose this Rustic Roasted Tomato Soup when my friend Melanie, a fellow KYV Farm member, posted photos of her version of tomato soup on facebook.  Thanks for the idea Melanie!

Fresh tomatoes are one of the best things about summer – they taste best warmed by the sun and straight from the vine.  The ones I used were no exception as they were directly from local farms, Wendy’s Organic Herbs and KYV Farm.
One thing I learned with this recipe is that it takes a lot of fresh tomatoes to make a tomato soup.
1 lb fresh = about 4.7 oz or 1 cup cooked so you’ll need two full pounds.  This versatile soup would also would be awesomeover pasta or in any instance you would use a tomato sauce.  I left out the oil because I felt it just didn’t need it.  Keeping it simple, only a little salt, let the tomatoes do the talking.

Category #2 The Wines
Casa Ferreirinha, Esteva Douro 2010, Portugal rating of YUM
 
Casa Ferreirinha, Esteva Douro 2010, Portugal
Ferreira is known as “the Portuguese Brand” due to the high quality and recognition.  After one taste I could see why; this wine was smooth and silky and had lots of fruit.  The deep, rich color was beautiful.  I drank the wine only a bit chilled, to about 60 degrees and it was the perfect red for drinking on the patio.

Musar Jeune Rose, 2010, Lebanon Rating of YUM
 
 
Musar Jeune Rose, 2010, Lebanon

 

Possibly because my new favorite wine is a dry rose, I found this one very appealing.  It was light and refreshing – I tasted raspberry and strawberry.  Perfectly drinkable for the heat of summer.

Category #3 The Pairing
Casa Ferreirinha, Esteva Douro 2010, Portugal rating of YUM
This wine goes well with richer meat based dishes, dinner salads and pasta so pairing it with this tomato based soup and roasted garlic was a perfect match.  In fact, the wine made this soup seem luxurious and filling, though in reality it is actually very light.

Musar Jeune Rose, 2010, Lebanon Rating of Damn That’s Good
As I said in the review above, this dish IS very light.  If you are having a tapas party and this is one of your choices, or you just want a light lunch, this rose is a perfect pairing.  It will highlight that sweet fresh taste of the ripe tomatoes and remind you of summer.  Mouthwatering!

 Where to buy
All the wines will be for sale locally at the Grotto in San Marco. You can contact Mitch Woodlief, grottomitch@aol.com with questions and pricing and anyone outside the Greater Jacksonville area can contact E-MAIL: info@broadbent.com PHONE: US +1 415-931-1725.
If you are a Mila lover, or want to try and aren’t sure how to eat it, this is the perfect solution.  I simply mixed my serving of 2 Tbsp into my dish, stirred and enjoyed.  It did change the texture a bit by making it thicker, but the taste of the Mila is so mild that the tomato still shone through.
Mila has tons of Omega 3′s, fiber, calcium, iron and all kinds of other goodies.  Try it for yourself by clicking here. 
Rustic Roasted Tomato Soup

Rustic Roasted Tomato Soup

Rustic Roasted Tomato and Garlic Soup
Serves 4 1/2 cup servings
Vegan, Gluten Free

Ingredients

2 lbs of  fresh tomatoes, skin left on, quartered (I used KYV Farm and Wendy’s Organic Herbs) This will cook down to about 2 cups.
1 bulb garlic
2 onions, sliced (I used KYV Farm)
Salt, to taste
2 cups vegetable broth (salt free, such as Vivian’s)

Optional
Fresh basil for garnish (I used Wendy’s Organic Herbs)
Fresh toasted bread of choice (Gluten free, if gluten allergy)
8 Tbsp Mila

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray; add tomatoes, onions and sprinkle with salt.  Cut the top of the garlic off and wrap in foil; add to one of the baking sheets with tomatoes. Bake 1 hour.

2. Heat broth in medium pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer.  Add roasted tomatoes, onions and 3 cloves of the roasted garlic, reserving the rest for another use.  Cook 1 minute.  Using an immersion blender, pulse until just combined.  Stir in 2 Tbsp Mila per soup bowl if desired, and top with fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts
4 Servings
Amount Per Serving

Calories 42.3
Total Fat 0.4 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 593.1 mg
Potassium 323.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate 9.5 g
Dietary Fiber 2.0 g
Sugars 0.0 g
Protein 1.6 g

Vitamin A 14.1 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 8.2 %
Vitamin C 24.3 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 2.4 %
Calcium 1.8 %
Copper 5.7 %
Folate 6.2 %
Iron 3.6 %
Magnesium 4.3 %
Manganese 10.6 %
Niacin 3.9 %
Pantothenic Acid 3.4 %
Phosphorus 4.4 %
Riboflavin 3.8 %
Selenium 1.4 %
Thiamin 5.9 %
Zinc 1.4 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.