Chia Seed Pudding with Coconut & Vanilla (Paula Deen – Are You There?)

January 31, 2012 By 6 Comments

Weight loss & energy food tip here – and this food is ch-ch-ch-Cheap!

If you saw my natural energy drink “Chia Fresca” recipe video, you’ll know I’ve been lovin’ my Chia Seeds for a while now.

Used for centuries by native Central Americans, Chia seeds were considered a powerful energy food and provide excellent nutrition.

Chia Seeds

Filled with detox-supportive fiber, chia seeds, which look like little grey, tan or black poppy seeds, provide the best plant source of those fabulous Omega-3s that protect your heart,brain, skin and joint health.

Plus, all that fiber is GREAT for diabetics who need to stabilize their blood sugar and lose weight. Do you think Paula Deen knows about chia seeds? If you know her, send her this recipe – I’d love to be on her show!

(*The extra cinnamon in this recipe helps balance blood sugar levels even more – one of those super ingredients diabetics and border-line diabetics should be using!)

Soak these seeds in liquid for 15+ minutes, and they begin to gel and soften, providing an excellent slow-moving fiber and protein, which helps you feel full and reduces appetite.

Chia also contains protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, antioxidants, niacin, and zinc.

Now you can enjoy these ancient seeds as a delicious dessert any time - and this recipe only takes about 20 minutes to make!

Chia Seed Recipe - chia seed pudding

 

 

 

Chia Seed Pudding with Coconut & Vanilla

2 cups coconut, rice, or hemp milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons brown rice syrup or maple syrup

pinch sea salt

¼ cup chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

 

Directions:

-       Heat the milk over medium in a small saucepan.

-       Whisk in the vanilla, brown rice syrup and sea salt.

-       Once the milk is almost to a simmer, whisk in the chia seeds and cinnamon. Remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes, or until the mixture gels up to a tapioca consistency.

-       Serve warm, at room temperature, or cool in the refrigerator. Serves 2-3.

 

 

Filed Under: detox recipes, Natural constipation cure, Natural Energy Tips, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Autumn Soup: Kale Shiitake Sweet Potato Soup

October 3, 2011 By 1 Comment

Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of connecting different organs with different seasons, elements, foods, and even emotions.

According to the Five Element system, autumn is the season of the Metal element, governed by the lungs and large intestine. This sets up the conditions for flu or head cold, which comes from your body trying to expel excess mucus, toxins, and inferior fats.

Foods with a sour taste help with this detoxification process, and can be included daily as we enter into autumn. These foods include unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, lemons, limes, grapes, raw sauerkraut and pickles, and whole grain sourdough breads.

 

Pungent foods such as spices, ginger, and black pepper support the Metal element. These stimulate the digestion and help with the assimilation of food. Include pungent taste with seasonal fall foods such as apples, grapes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, grapes, kale, pears, persimmons, pumpkins, winter squash, and yams.

This soup has  a lot of great autumn ingredients and will help keep your body strong and centered throughout the season:

Kale Shiitake Sweet Potato Soup

4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable stock

1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced

1 small sweet potato, peeled, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes

1/2 bunch fresh kale, washed and stems removed

1 teaspoon Mellow white miso, per cup

1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions:

1. In a saucepan combine the water/broth, shitake mushrooms and sweet potato and bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, chop the kale into bite size pieces and add to the soup.

4. Cook until tender, another 8 minutes.

5. Dissolve a teaspoon of light miso in a bowl with a small amount of broth.

6. Ladle in the soup and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds.

Yield: 6 servings

Filed Under: detox recipes, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids, Recipes

Powerful Plant-Based Protein Rich Dishes For Families

September 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I just got home from Rochester, New York where I gave a cooking demonstration at the Greentopia Festival.

Alexandra Jamieson Cooking Demonstration Greentopia

The festival was a smash hit, and the cooking demo was geared

towards families who want to improve their nutrition with healthy, local ingredients.

Thanks to Rochester’s Child Care Council for co-sponsoring the event, and providing excellent green resources to local families.

Alexandra Jamieson and members of Rochester's Child Care Council at Greentopia

Alexandra Jamieson and members of Rochester's Child Care Council at Greentopia

The demo was great, and I wanted to share the plant-protein rich recipes here:

*Download the recipes here: Powerful Plant-Protein Dishes for Healthy Minded Parents

By the way, next time you’re in Rochester, take a yoga class at Open Sky, grab a delicious vegan lunch or dinner at Natural Oasis, and get some snacks at Abundance natural foods co-op!

Don’t forget to Like me on Facebook! xox

Filed Under: Amazing Events!, detox recipes, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids, Recipes

Alex Answers: Late Night Eating – What To Eat? How To Stop It?

August 24, 2011 By 5 Comments

This theme of “late night eating sabotage” is so common, and is so in line with my upcoming Delicious Detox program, that I thought I should share this juicy information so everyone can use it, not just my new members.

This question came from Rachel:

“For about 7 months, I’ve been eating a vegan, whole foods diet. And I love it. I’m also counting calories as well. I’ve lost 20 pounds and feel great as I’ve reached my goal weight.  But now things are getting more difficult. I feel like all day, I do great health wise. I eat a green smoothie for breakfast, a healthy lunch, lots of fruit, a healthy dinner…

But then…I don’t know what happens, but I go crazy and end up splurging on dessert, then raiding the pantry at night. Before, I could easily eat 1200-1300 calories a day and feel great. Now, I’m finding it hard to stay under 2,000 calories!

I don’t know if you have any advice for this problem, or maybe a recipe for some low-cal vegan nighttime snacks…”

Alex Answers:

Rachel, this is such an awesome topic. Late night eating can be a tough habit to break. You’ve spent a busy day working, being responsible, eating the “right” foods, commuting, planning your meals for the next day, and cleaning up your house, now you just want to chill and de-stress…

And just as you’re about to get comfortable with the TV, boy/girlfriend, or magazine, your cravings start coming up.

NO! You scream at yourself furiously.

I’ve been so good!

Don’t crave that chocolate/cheese/potato chips/glass of wine…you’ll ruin all the hard work from today and feel lousy about yourself!

But I WANT it! I deserve it! Gimme.

The judgement and self-loathing start to pile on and your hard-earned relaxation time is now a frustrating, stressful wrestling match of the mind.

How can you end that nightly civil war so you don’t end up in front of the fridge or cupboard searching for fatty, sugary snacks?

Let’s take a step back and take stock:

Ask yourself: Am I really hungry?

What is my body feeling right now? Am I thirsty? Am I just tired? Do I need a hug, hot shower, massage from my boy/girlfriend? Do I need to tell my wife or husband something that’s been on my mind and won’t rest? Am I craving intimacy and feel lonely at the end of the day because no one’s here? Did I have a fight at work or phone call with a family member that set me off today?

Maybe I need a nice half-hour with my vibrator and some good lube instead of a chocolate bar…believe me, I’ve been there.

Your cravings are telling you something. Listen to your body. Notice the physical sensations that are rising up and where they’re possibly coming from.

Listen to how your body responds to the stimulation of your life. Once you start feeling the sensations your body has stored from the day, you may find your cravings go away on their own.

Another good way to end the late-night-eating-sabotage cycle is to get rid of your TV for a week…or longer. It will totally shake up your evening routine and your nights will have more room for self-care and true relaxation.

Yes, you might be hungry from a long day of work, and sometime a late night snack is exactly what you need. So I’m going to share my top 5 late night snacks that fall in the category of “Totally Awesome Delicious Detox Snacks:”

  1. Frozen grapes or blueberries for a sweet tooth
  2. Light air popped popcorn or plain popcorn popped in paper bag in microwave, drizzled with olive oil and a tiny bit of salt
  3. Raw sauerkraut – it will knock your sweet craving right out!
  4. Fruit “ice cream” – peel a banana, freeze, blend in a food processor with nuts, berries or raisins and serve
  5. A few raw nuts with a plump, juicy Medjool date

Here’s what you can do now:

If you have specific questions I’d love to hear what you’re struggling with – ask right here or leave a comment. For a forum to share your issues with like-minded people working to change their lives, apply to my 8-Week Delicious Detox Tele-Course. There are only 7 Premium All-Access memberships left, so take a look soon.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: detox recipes, inspiration for women, Mindset, Reboot Detox Program, self care menu

Mac & Cheeze Surprise Sauce (Shh! Shiitakes Inside!)

August 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mac and Cheeze Surprise Sauce

This mildly seasoned sauce is popular with kids and adults. The garbanzo flour adds great protein, and the sauce is hiding a couple of powerful, and yummy, vegetables. It’s great on noodles, as seen here, potatoes, poured over steamed broccoli or mixed into grains or beans.

I used Eden’s Kamut Elbows, as they have a nice nutty flavor and add some great grain protein. If your family is gluten free, just use any of the amazing gluten-free elbows or noodles made by Tinkyada!
vegan gluten free mac and cheese recipe

Yield: 3 cups

 

½ cup chopped carrots, sweet potato or winter squash

1 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms, stems removed

2 ¼ cups plain unsweetened soy, rice, hemp or almond milk

¾ cup nutritional yeast flakes

¼ cup garbanzo bean flour

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

2 teaspoons white or yellow miso paste

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Steam or boil the carrots for 5 minutes, until soft.
  2. Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 6 minutes, until they begin to brown.
  3. Combine the cooked carrots, mushrooms, soy milk, and remaining ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
  4. Transfer to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly for about 5 minutes.
  5. Pour over cooked macaroni noodles, vegetables, or other dish.
  6. Extra sauce will refrigerate well for up to 4 days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eden's Kamut Elbows are a great source of flavor and plant-based protein

 

Filed Under: detox recipes, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids Tagged With: , ,

Veggie Rolls – Delicious Detox Recipes Made Easy

August 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Healthy meals can be simple, quick and filling – here’s a 2 minute recipe great for a girl (or guy) on the go:

 

2 romaine lettuce leaves
1 avocado, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
¼ cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup sliced olives (I like the greek or italian ones, pitted of course)
¼ cup fresh sprouts

drizzle of olive oil and ½ lime

Directions:

Lay romaine leaves on a plate. Add avocado, cucumbers, hemp seeds, carrots, olives and sprouts to a bowl. Drizzle oil and lime juice over the veggies and mix thoroughly. Place veggie mixture inside the romaine leaves and serve.

Filed Under: detox recipes, gluten free vegan party planning, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids, Reboot Detox Program

Get Glowing Skin (& Drop Pounds) With This Cool Detox Tea

August 9, 2011 By 12 Comments

I like health tips and powerful foods that are easy and delicious – here’s one of my current favorites!

Make an iced tea from one of Yogi Tea’s special Detox line and drink your way to glowing skin and

easy weight loss:

Filed Under: detox diet, Detox Drinks, detox recipes, Reboot Detox Program

Simple Summer Desserts — Shhh! They're Good For You, Too!

July 20, 2011 By 2 Comments

Summer Smoothie-sicles


Summer Smoothie-sicles!

smoothie-sicle recipe, healthy popsicle recipes 

Everyone loves popsicles – so why not make them a little healthier and more substantial than what the ice cream truck is offering? You can take this simple recipe and add all kinds of healthy secrets: non-dairy yogurt, liquid chlorophyll, dehydrated greens powders, vitamin C powder, or even soaked nuts and seeds. Go crazy!

I also like using the new silicon popsicle molds – why have your food freezing in petroleum based plastic molds?

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh fruit juice (except citrus)
¼ cup fresh green juice (kale, cucumber, celery, etc)
1 tablespoon liquid chlorophyll
1 cup non-dairy yogurt
1 Medjool date

Directions:

Blend all of the ingredients together until very smooth. Pour into popsicle molds. Freeze for at least 5 hours or until frozen solid.

 

Raw Choco-Almond Date Bars

It’s too hot to turn on the oven in summer, which is why raw desserts are so welcome – oh, and they taste amazing with almost no effort!

Using raw cacao powder provides the body with iron, protein, and antioxidants. Found online and in health food stores, raw cacao powder tastes good and is easier for many people to consume without negative effects of processed chocolate.

Note: To make the nuts easier to digest, you can soak them together covered in water overnight then drain before competing the recipe.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup unrefined coconut oil, melted
1 cup raw, unsalted almonds
½ cup raw, unsalted cashews
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tablespoon water
1/3 cup raw cacao powder or carob powder
pinch sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
1/3 cup brown rice syrup, agave nectar or real maple syrup

Directions:

1. Make sure the coconut oil is melted by measuring it into a small saucepan and heating it over low. Of course in the summer, mine is melted in the jar just sitting out at room temperature.
2. Combine the almonds and cashews in a food processor and pulse 10 to 12 times until they’re pulverized and no large pieces remain.
3. Add the remaining ingredients including the oil to the food processor and continue to pulse until the mixture is well combined, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary.
4. Line a 9 inch square cake pan with parchment paper. Scoop the mixture into the baking dish and flatten with your hand or a rubber spatula. Wrap the pan with plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to overnight.
5. Remove from the refrigerator and cut the hardened cake into bars about 3 inches square.

Smoothie-sicles recipe originally printed in Living Vegan For Dummies

Raw Choco Bars recipe originally printed in Vegan Cooking For Dummies

Filed Under: detox diet, detox recipes, gluten free vegan party planning, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids, Recipes Tagged With: , ,

Here’s A Quick Way To Kick Your Caffeine Cravings

July 11, 2011 By 4 Comments

Click Here To ReTweet This Blog & Recipe – thanks!

It’s summer and I’m thirsty and hot – a lot. New York City can be pretty sticky, and I need constant refreshment to get through a day. Try my favorite mid-day caffeine-free latte recipe!

 

 

Back in the day I would cool my afternoon energy lulls with an iced latte or frozen coffee drink from that place that rhymes with “Blahr – ducks.” Since detoxifying my body over a decade ago, I find that I don’t like or want as much caffeine, dairy, and sugar as I used to. Actually, I find that I feel even worse if I have them!

 

What’s wrong with a little caffeine you might be asking? Well, if you’re drinking several (or even one, for some people) servings of coffee, tea, cola, or “energy drink” a day, your sleep can be effected no matter how early in the day you drink it.

 

Your morning cup of tea or coffee can also dehydrate your skin making it look older than it is (horrors!), and makes you urinate more, leading to overall dehydration.

 

If you remember your high school chemistry, you might recall that calcium (from your bones) is an alkaline substance.

 

If you’re drinking caffeine (along with sugar and diary, especially) you can change the pH balance of your body to be overly acidic. There are strong links between regular caffeine use and osteoporosis, because of the acidic nature of many caffeinated beverages.

(Are you more than ready to get off caffeine, sugar, and dairy once and for all?

Join my 8 Week Delicious Detox Tele-Course here – we start Tuesday September 13th!)

 

Still, I like to enjoy a yummy cold drink, especially in the afternoons, and here is one of my favorite recipes:

 

1 cup iced Teeccino

½ cup MimiCCreme

Serve over ice

 

Teeccino is an herbal coffee-replacement that offers a roasted aroma, look and taste just like coffee, without the caffeine. Or the caffeine crash a few hours later.

 

MimiCCreme is a line of non-dairy, soy-free, gluten-free nut creams that make any cream recipe totally amazing. I like the unsweetened version for my iced teeccino in the afternoon, but the sweetened versions are great for desserts, baking, smoothies and breakfast recipes.

 

Enjoy your caffeine free latte!

 

Like this recipe and my tips? Want to really make a shift and transform your health?

Sign up for my Delicious Detox: The 8-Week Reboot Tele-Course beginning Tuesday September 13th at 2pm EST!

Learn more and sign up here:

 

Filed Under: detox diet, Detox Drinks, detox recipes, diet for heart disease, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy summer cocktails, Reboot Detox Program, recommended brands, recommended natural products Tagged With: , , , ,

Patriotic Plant Protein Patties! (AKA Veggie Burger for July 4th!)

June 30, 2011 By 2 Comments

Click Here To ReTweet This Recipe – Thanks!


Patriotic Plant Protein Pattie! (AKA July 4th Veggie Burgers)
Celebrate our nation’s birthday with some veggie burgers that everyone can enjoy. I’ve doctored these up with extra plant protein coming from the beans and hemp seeds.

This recipe is cholesterol free, dairy free, egg free, and gluten-free (unless you add the totally optional bread crumbs – but really, you don’t need them.)

Make some extra patties, freeze them and reheat in a lightly oiled skillet any old time of year for a quick, hearty, healthy meal:

Yield: 6-8 patties

4 tablespooons flaxseeds, ground in a spice grinder

1/3 cup water

2 1/2 cups cooked beans (any will do: try black beans, pinto, kidney, chickpeas, or a combination)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

1/4 cup diced celery

1 tablespoon fresh orange zest

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup finely chopped spinach

1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds

1/2 cup cooked brown rice, quinioa or millet (leftovers from the day before are great for this)

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  1. Combine the ground flaxseeds and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir often until the mixture become gooey. Set aside to cool while you do the next step.
  2. Combine the beans, salt, pepper, parsley, onion, celery, orange zest, garlic, spinach, hemp seeds, brown rice, flax seed mixture and 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a food processor. Pulse 15-18 times to combine the mixture so that it becomes thick and creamed together, with some chunks still remaining.
  3. The mixture should be easy to handle and can be formed into 1-inch thick patties. I used a 1/3 cup measuring cup and flattened each scoop to 1-inch thick. If it feels to dry add a little water. If it feels too moist, add a few tablespoons of cooked grain or bread crumbs and mix to combine.
  4. Heat a heavy skillet (a well-seasoned cast iron skillet is great) over medium heat and warm 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  5. Cook the patties, about 3 at a time, for 7 minutes on each side.
Filed Under: detox recipes, diet for heart disease, Fast Healthy Cooking, gluten free vegan party planning, gluten free vegan recipe, healthy recipes for kids, Recipes Tagged With: ,
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