Mothers' Day "In The Raw" Brunch

Long gone are the lazy days of Sunday brunches at corner cafes since my little guy has turned two. Although my second choice this year was even better than the best Sunday brunch at ANY corner cafe! We all went to Arnold's Cafe in Lansdale, PA (which was originally located in Manayunk) It's a raw foods cafe and health food store, so it's pretty darn casual and kid friendly, too! Score! And everytime I eat there I get so inspired to buy, prepare and eat more raw foods everyday. Preparing raw is a lot of fun, but of course having someone else make it is even better! They have a delicious menu of salads, entrees, smoothies and desserts! I am literally like a kid in a freaking candy store when we go there! I decided on a "Zesty" salad, Mike got a "Toona Sandwich" which was all vegetarian and all raw! We also got a blueberry smoothie which my two year old slurped down without coming up for air, some "Rejuvenator" juice which was apples, carrots, celery and ginger all put through a juicer, and ended with a banana, carob and date whip which is literally better than any icecream I have tasted! Okay, now my mouth is watering! I forgot to mention they also have soups and wraps and host a whole bunch of workshops and potlucks to inspire and educate on raw food living! It's worth checking out and may just inspire you as well! Happy Momma's Day to me!!!

P.S. Arnold's is big on their "Green Smoothie" mission. Promoting them for building strong immune systems, prevention of cancers and other diseases.....sooooo..........we have been on a green smoothie kick here in our house (bananas, leafy greens (such as spinach) apples, water and some blueberries) and we are loving every slurp!

"Chickpea of the Sea" Sandwich

What a great, healthy and animal friendly alternative to your average tuna or chicken salad sandwich. It's also a great picnic season food and a better packed lunch option then opting for yet another overpriced crappy lunch at work! (ahem, Mike)

Anyway, I loved, loved, loved this sandwich and it is packed full of protein and other vitamins! Take a look:

Strain and rinse a can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and throw them in your food processor. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of cumin, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, squeezed juice from half a lemon, salt and pepper to taste, two stalks of celery cut into one inch pieces and three scallions cut into one inch pieces. I also added nutritional yeast for extra vitamins, but it's optional. Next I ran the processor on low then high to get a nice chopped consistency for the celery, scallions and chickpeas. You can chop it to a smoother or chunkier consistency as you prefer. I then spread it on toasted multigrain bread with flax seeds, added nice crisp pieces of lettuce and finished with some vegan mayo spread. With the additional sides of chips, carrots and cucumbers, this tasted like a club sandwich served at a favorite corner cafe! Except I didn't have to dish out $12.00 for it. (But I did have to clean up.)

Edamame and Penne

This one is all about quickness, as I came up with it after I realized my husband wasn't going to be home for dinner and I had a few minutes until my sleeping toddler awoke from his nap.

I prepared the penne as directed on box, steamed the (frozen) edamame, and got some minced garlic warmed in olive oil with salt and pepper. While the oil was warming, I added the steamed edamame to it for just a few minutes. When pasta was done, I strained, then added the oil, garlic and edamame mixture right on top while warm and finished with some parm and fresh ground pepper.

Yum.

"Let Them Eat Broccoli"

I was never fond of broccoli. I usually preferred it raw if at all, with some veggie dip. But over the years I have really learned to enjoy it- and thank goodness! I recently came across an article that states that a study conducted by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that broccoli contains a chemical called sulforaphane that kills a pesky bacteria called "helicobacter pylori" (WHERE do they come up with these names?) which causes stomach ulcers and potentially deadly stomach cancers. So increasing it in your diet can prevent suffering from stomach aches and can also quite possibly prevent stomach cancer. In some Third World countries millions are infected with helicobacter pylori, likely linked to poverty and poor sanitation conditions. The research suggested that even a minor change in diet such as eating more broccoli can essentially help people heal themselves.

So if THAT isn't enough for you to get chomping on some of the green stuff, then how about the fact that it contains vitamin C, dietary fiber, and multiple nutrients with cancer fighting compounds? Basically, find a way to work it into your and your family's diets! Try it raw with veggie dip alongside some other colorful veggies. Or try it steamed with a dash of sea salt as a side dish. Chop it into salads, make a cream of broccoli soup, experiment with some new broccoli recipes! And get healthy!

nourish

have you nourished your body today?

old interview

I have been "winter cleaning" the house, and am going through old magazines to give away. I came across this interview with Dharma Mittra in an old Yoga Journal from 2007. I felt the need to share. Vegetarianism simplified.

Birthday Brunch! Tofu Scramble!

Mike made me this scrumptious brunch for me for my birthday! Yay! The main dish was a yummy tofu scramble. Great for all you vegans out there and just an all around healthy and tasty dish! He sauteed chopped onions and carrots in some oil, then added diced tofu. He also added turmeric and salt and pepper. It cooked for just a few minutes and was served hot with chopped parsley on top. Added as sides were rosemary potatoes, veggie sausages and a bagel half. Steamin'!!! Lucky me!