Berry Sweet Dessert

A much healthier way to handle an ice cream craving
Recipe created by Elizabeth Van Cleve

Mix 1 cup or more of nonfat Greek yogurt with several drops of vanilla liquid stevia. (Start with about 6-10 drops, then taste and add more as desired. When you have your desired sweetness, mix in 1/2-1 cup of frozen berries. (I used blueberries and raspberries here) The yogurt will freeze up as you mix in the berries. Top with a few more frozen berries and a small, 1-inch square of 85% organic cacao chocolate bar. Yep! It's that easy. Enjoy!

Fast and Easy Roast Turkey

Before roasting your turkey, cut it up like you would a chicken, and your meal will be done in one-third the time. I love this idea and I have a sneaky feeling it's gonna taste a whole lot better too. We'll find out, because this will be my method of cooking this year. To cut time even further, ask your butcher to cut up the turkey for you before you take it home. Any new ideas to diminish the holiday chaos are warmly welcomed!

For complete instructions see: How to Cook a Turkey Fast

Peanut Butter Cup Green Smoothie

Although this doesn't qualify for "fully" raw- this green smoothie is still super healthy, providing as much as 18 grams of protein, and high in omegas, vitamins A, C, and K, a big calcium boost and more. And I think it is so YUMMY! Keeping up with my Holiday Shape-Up plan, here is my lunch for today:

Peanut Butter Cup Green Smoothie

To your Vita-mix or other high-powered blender add the following in given order:

• 2 cups of chopped green Kale, thoroughly washed
• 1 frozen banana split in half
• 1/4 cup all-natural Peanut Butter
• 2 Tbs golden roasted flax seed
• 1 1/2 tsp unsweetened organic cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 plus 1/2 cups purified water
• 10-15 drops of vanilla flavored stevia drops (to taste)

Blend on high until smooth
Then add:

• 2 TBS good quality chocolate chips

Blend for about 5-10 seconds to chop up some
Pour in a glass. Enjoy

Super C Fruit Infused Water

One of the important strategies added to my 'Holiday Shape-Up Plan'  is drinking a pitcher a day of fruit infused water. Today I mixed up a Super C infusion to help boost the immune system and drive back the winter flues.

Ingredients:

• 2 cutie tangerines, peeled and segmented
• 1 lemon peeled and sliced
• I small aloe vera leaf, washed and split in half length-ways
• 10 drops vanilla liquid stevia

Mix in a 2-quart pitcher of water and ice and let sit for 30 minutes before drinking. You can refill 2-3 times.

Holiday Shape-Up

The holidays are here again and with it comes all the wonderful sweet and savory aromas, gifts of candies and breads, dinner parties and festivities. I believe I would like to begin my New Year's Resolution of losing weight, EARLY! Every other holiday butts ahead in line. Why not New Years? Ha! We all dread the after holiday weight gain. Why not reverse the trend to the after holiday weight loss!

What I need right now is a plan of action. Time to take advantage of my ever-growing Pinterest Board: Shape Up!

Plan of Action

Lately I have become more and more inactive and it shows. So exercise is definitely at the top of my list. Taking a few tips from Skinny Mom article on 23 top trainers tips, I decided to first;

Exercise first thing in the morning. I found some great inspiration for "Waking Up Early to Exercise" on You+Me=Fit.

I decided since I am not in really good shape and am in my late forties, I will begin my exercise with my favorite Youtube yoga coach, "Yoga With Adrien." I will shoot for a minimum of 15 minutes of yoga. Then I will do at least 15 extra minutes of exercise. I made a list to choose from: 

• Walk/run; jump rope; jumping jacks;  
• Lower belly exercises 
• Tush and thighs exercises 
• Chin exercises 
• Tiny arms exercises 
• Beginners Zumba

Next I think the other wise tips given, were to focus on feeling good, rather than on how I look, and to make sure I take time to meditate at least 10 minutes every day.

Then of course a nutrition plan will be vital. I decided to;

• Substitute at least one meal a day with a fully raw greensmoothie.
• Eat at least one large green salad a day
• Eat at least one piece of fruit a day
• Eat less
• Take vitamins
• Drink a pitcher of Day Apple cinnamon water , or other fruit infused water, each day
• Take 1 Tbs Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar each day

Lastly, 

I will endeavor wherever I can to make fun, exciting, healthy holiday eating choices. When ever and wherever possible I will cut sugar and fat, substitute healthier ingredients and keep it fresh!

And that's the grand-plan. Now the trick is carrying it through . . . wish me luck!!!

Green Apple Smoothie

Starting the day off with the right ingredients!

To your Vitamix (or other high powered blender) add:

1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1 medium green apple cut in eighths, seeds discarded

1 stalk of celery, cut up

1 piece fresh ginger root, thumb-tip size 

1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Stevia to taste (I added about 1 Tbs of dried stevia leaves. If you use a powder or drop you only need a tiny pinch)

1/2 cup of ice 

1 cup of water or more if needed

I scant Tbls Erin's Super Green Drink Mix (optional, but highly recommended for optimal health)

blend till smooth and enjoy!

Veggie Spring Rolls

One of my fave's for lunch- Veggie Spring Rolls. Takes an ordinary salad up a  few notches. Same ingredients, wrapped in rice paper, dipped in sweet chili sauce (I use the Trader Joes brand)

You can purchase them pre-made at most major supermarket delis, but I prefer to make my own. It really only takes 5-10 minutes tops. You just need a large leaf lettuce such as butter leaf. Then you need round rice papers. This is what I use: The packaging keeps them from breaking.

Cut up the veggies you want to put in your roll. Today I used  avocado, cucumbers  bell peppers, radishes,  cauliflower and shredded carrot. So yummy!

Here are a couple links for more recipes and instructions. But don't get boxed in; Fill these babies with whatever makes your body sing with happiness!

Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Cold Spring Rolls)

Fresh Vegan Spring Rolls

Ketchup and Fries

A batch of homemade ketchup . . .

Called for some oven baked fries. . . 

Lacto-Fermented Pickles- Garden Fresh!

Salty, crunchy, slightly tart and spicy goodness; These Lacto-fermented pickles are so yummy! I used the recipe The Herbangardener's blog, making a few changes in the spices. I used grape leaves from our vine and distilled water. I have not tasted a better deli-pickle!

Fruit Tray

Beautiful fruit trays are welcome any time of day. Here is one my daughter prepared for last night's dinner.

Very Berry Heart-health Smoothie

This is my Very Berry Heart Health Smoothie that I drink for breakfast about three times a week. At 46, with a history of high BP and a family history of heart disease, I figure I need to take extra care of my heart. This smoothie is packed with the nutrients that will make your heart and circulatory system sing. 

Recipe:
1 beat fresh from my garden about the size of a golf ball, (leave on the leaves!)
1/4 to 1/3 cup of dried stevia leaves or vanillas stevia drops (at least a half a dropper full. Add more if needed)
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
4 large frozen strawberries
1/2 stalk of celery
1 Tbs chia seeds
1 Tbs Heart Health Herbal Smoothie Mix

Whirl in Vitamix blender until smooooooothe! YUM!

Remember to always use organic ingredients!

Vegan Nachos

All this Veganism has got me a hankerin' for some good old cheese so I whipped me up a batch of nachos with creamy "cheesy" sauce! Mmmmm....

No! I didn't go back on my commitment to Vegan living. This nacho sauce doesn't have any animal product in it whatsoever. I found a couple recipes on Pinterest and though I was skeptical, I just had to give it a try. Utilizing a combination of Lori's Recipe and Lexie's Recipe I whipped up a batch of some lovely creamy and surprisingly finger-licking good faux cheese sauce- so healthy for you, you can make it your entire meal. I didn't realize until after I was done that I never added any olive oil. Not sure if I missed it or not! I thought it was fine without it.

It served up perfectly with my homemade pickled peppers from last summers bumper crop!

Here is the combination recipe I used:

Lori & Lexie's Combo Nacho Sauce

1/4 cup cashew meal mixed with 1/4 cup very hot water (set aside)

1 cup of each, diced: white potatoes (I used butter gold), carrots, cauliflower (Steam together until tender, save liquid)
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1 Tbs. Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated onion
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp turmeric

1. While cashew meal is soaking, chop veggies and put on stove to steam.
2. Put cashew mix in high-powered blender (I use a Vita Mix) then remainder ingredients.
3. Now add the drained steamed veggies and blend until smooth. If too thick, add a little of the steam water from the veggies until desired consistency.
Optional: Hot peppers for garnish

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes 
Recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

In small dish mix together and set aside:
1 Tbs flax seeds, ground (measure before grinding)
6 Tbs water

In medium size bowl sift together:
2 cups stone ground whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2 Tbs double acting baking powder
1 tsp each: salt, cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

In large mixing bowl beat together:
1/4 cup mashed banana
3 Tbs unsweetened applesauce
flax seed mixture from above
3 cups unflavored almond milk

Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not beat or over stir.
Stir in 2 cups of blue berries, fresh or frozen.

In medium hot skillet, melt 2 tsp organic coconut oil. Scoop 1/2 cup batter. Cover and let cook about 3 minutes or until almost dry. Then flip and cook another minute or two until done. Keep warm in oven till they are all finished. Continue adding more coconut oil as needed while frying.

For blue berry sauce; in small skillet add 1 cup pure maple syrup, 1/4 cup pure honey and 1 cup of blue berries, fresh or frozen. Bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Clean Vegan Pad Thai

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste (or crushed tomatoes)
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
• Chili flakes
• 2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed
• 1 cup mixed bell peppers and carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 cup snap peas
• 2 small scallions, sliced
• 1 cup shelled edamame (defrosted if frozen)
• 2 teaspoons crushed peanuts, for garnish (optional)
• 4 thin slices avocado, for garnish (optional)
• 2 lime wedges, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, rice vinegar, tomato paste, soy sauce, and chili flakes to taste until smooth. 
2. Spiralize zucchini or peel into ribbons with a julienne peeler, vegetable peeler, or mandolin. In a large bowl, toss zucchini noodles in sauce. (If you can give zucchini at least 20 minutes to soak in peanut sauce, this dish tastes even better.) Add remaining vegetables and toss to combine. 
3. Serve topped with peanuts, avocado, cilantro, and lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe by Ziplist Sous Chef

Open-faced Avocado Italiano

whole grain bread toasted 

thick slices of avocado 

Classico's Bruschetta spooned on top 

sprinkle with pinenuts

Recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

Sesame Soba Soup

I began by brewing some green tea in two cups of boiling hot water. I then added about a teaspoon of dulse flakes, 1 package of refrigerated soft buckwheat soba noodles, some shredded purple cabbage for color, a few chopped baby spinach leaves, a sliced green onion, a handful of frozen Edame, and a few cubes of firm tofu. I flavored it up a bit with some Braggs liquid aminos, a shake of hot peppers and a few drops of sesame oil. I ended up with a hearty bowl of soup that put me over-the-top FULL! Mmmm....

recipe by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve

Raspberry Harvest

Picking bright red luscious raspberries from your own vine is soul-satisfying. Last year was our first harvest. We graciously divided about a handful between us. This year we have picked few handfuls . . .

I shall call this 

'Morning Sunshine Harvest Breakfast'

Raw oats
walnuts
slivered almonds
dried blueberries
fresh picked asian pears, chopped
fresh picked raspberries
Pour over with unsweetened almond milk

Enjoy!

Photos and recipe created by Elizabeth A. Van Cleve