Raw, Vegan, Dairy-Free, and Gluten-Free I LOVE this recipe because it switches up regular guacamole with more exotic Asian flavors. Plus, it is a visually beautiful dish to get things started. Your palate and body will agree. Nutrient-dense food like this is one of the healthiest ways to eat. Nutrient density is the measure of [...]
In Southern California, we are fortunate to enjoy celery all year, but its season peaks in the cooler months of November through February. Given its omnipresence, it’s easy to take this powerful health food for granted. According to Michael Murray’s Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, with only 20 calories per rib, celery is an excellent source [...]
In the deep South where I live, black-eyed peas are symbolic of luck and money when eaten on New Year's Day. Traditionally, they are made with ham bones. When I ran my first community kitchen, I used the familiarity folks have with black-eye peas to mee’ify them, creating a heart-healthy recipe. Makes 12-15 small [...]
This humus wrap is an excellent recipe for the Paleo folks in our lives, all you need is a food processor and a few minutes. It’s insanely delish. Makes 6-12 wraps Whatcha’ Need HUMMUS 4 cups peeled and chopped zucchini 1 cup tahini 1 cup lemon juice 6 tablespoons olive oil 3–4 tablespoons water [...]
SAVOR THE SEASON WITH THIS LOCAL SUBSTITUTE FOR CRANBERRY SAUCE Thanksgiving is a special time of gratitude – for our friends, our family, and even our farmers. As I plan menus to celebrate the harvest season, I enjoy looking at how to incorporate seasonal and local ingredients. I set out to create a California-based apple-pomegranate-strawberry relish. Fuji [...]
Makes approximately 20 patties. Straight from their new book The Rawvolution Continues (Simon & Schuster, 2013), Matt and Janabai Amsden share their recipe for Peppermint Patties. These classic favorites are filled with a sweet and minty coconut cream. For the Filling 2 1/2 cups shredded coconut 6 tablespoons coconut oil 6 tablespoons coconut nectar 1 teaspoon [...]
My favorite way to start the morning with my daughter is with a healthy and hydrating smoothie. It's a great way to infuse us both with electrolytes, potassium, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. Ingredients: 2 cups coconut water 1 cup mango 1 cup pineapple 2 cups spinach Directions: Combine ingredients in your blender or Vitamix and puree [...]
Modern research shows that astragalus root, a Chinese herb long used to ward off colds and flu, has powerful immune-enhancing properties. The sliced, dried root is available online and in herb stores; it is nontoxic and adds a pleasant, sweet taste when simmered in soups. Shiitake mushrooms also boost immunity and have an antiviral effect. [...]
The bitter melon is the most beneficial gourd of all. According to The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, a cup of bitter melon contains 23 calories; it is also an ex- cellent source of vitamins B, C, and E, folic acid, zinc, fiber, magnesium, and contains twice the potassium of a banana. Mix it with cantaloupe to [...]
We enjoy the nutritious benefits of most members of the gourd family – watermelon, cantaloupe, and cucumber – yet few of us are familiar with the most bitter, and thereby the most beneficial, gourd of all: bitter melon. Also known as balsam pear, bitter melon resembles a cucumber with bumpy, warty skin. According to The [...]