Smokey Pepper Goat Cheese Dip
1 11oz log of goat cheese
½ red bell pepper, chopped
1 small clove garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 scallion, chopped
In food processor, pulse the garlic and bell pepper until finely chopped. Add in the goat cheese and smoked paprika. Process until well combined and smooth. Add in scallions and pulse to combine. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve with crackers, bread, or as a veggie dip.
My 5-yr old came up with this recipe this morning. Haven’t figured out exact measurements yet, but think I have a pretty good idea. Anyway, couldn’t keep this to myself as it sounds too delicious!
Garlic-Parmesan Butter
1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped
1 stick of unsalted butter
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (about a handful) of parsley
1 loaf crusty bread, cut in half
Combine garlic, butter and parmesan in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is well blended. Add in parsley and pulse a couple more times to blend. Slather the garlic-parmesan butter on each half of the bread and stick under the broiler until melted and bubbly. Yum!
Lucky for those chocoholics amongst us, it turns out we have a great excuse to indulge in our favorite sweet treat. Because, believe it or not, chocolate is good for us! Now don’t get too excited. Not all chocolates are created equal. Milk and white chocolates are much lower on the health-benefits totem pole as they have lower percentages of cocoa (the actual source of nutrients) as compared to dark chocolate. Actually, white chocolate doesn’t contain any real cocoa, so you can just scratch it off your sweet-tooth-satisfying list.
Cocoa and dark chocolate are rich sources of flavonoids, plant compounds that have powerful antioxidant properties. The benefits of these flavonoids include decreasing blood pressure, improving circulation, improving the flexibility of the arteries, preventing fatty substances from oxidizing, clotting and then clogging arteries, defending against free radicals and reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. They are also good sources of copper and magnesium which help to regulate blood pressure and heart beat.
But the benefits of dark chocolate and cocao aren’t just heart-specific. They also contain other compounds with beneficial affects. Theobromine, tyramine, phenylethylamine act as mild stimulants, giving your brain a boost; tryptophan (an essential amino acid) is a natural anti-depressant, helping to relieve anxiety through the stimulating the production of serotonin; and anandaminde promotes relaxation.
But buyers beware. Chocolate is a calorie dense food item. While only 1/3 of the fat in it is bad for you (the other 2/3 are healthy monounsaturated fats and saturated fats that have a neutral affect on cholesterol), eating too much will not benefit your waist line. Moderation is key. Enjoying a small piece of dark chocolate daily will provide you with health-sustaining antioxidants without adding on the pounds, as long as you adjust your diet for the calories.
Eco-tourism is a popular way to travel these days as people want to have an exciting trip without leaving a four-star eco-footprint while doing so. If you’re not sure how to book your eco-adventure, check out these resources…
Sustainable Horizon is an international eco-travel organization with a mission! Trips to Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Argentina combine adventure activities with community service and environmental conservation. www.sustainablehorizon.com
Manaca is an eco-travel agency. They do all the grunt work to customize your eco-journey. All the people and places they work with must pass their Eco-Assessment and sign their Responsible Tourism Pledge. Their motto: Travel- with a Conscience. www.manaca.com
Other helpful resources:
Ecotourism www.ecotour.org
Green Hotels Association www.greenhotels.com
Eco Travel Logue www.ecotourismlogue.com
Planeta www.planeta.com
This granola packs a powerful heart-protecting punch!
5 cups rolled oats
½ cup honey
3 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp Cinnamon
3 tbsp Cocao powder
1 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds
Heat oven to 250 degrees. Put oats in a large mixing bowl. Add in cinnamon and cocoa powder. In measuring cup, combine honey and oil well. Pour into oats and combine all ingredients well, making sure to break up any large chunks. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely, then add in fruit and chocolate pieces. Mix well. Enjoy!
Anusara: “following your heart”, “flowing with grace.”
Started by John Friend in 1997, Anusara yoga unifies the Hatha yoga system with an uplifting philosophy of intrinsic goodness. It is quintessentially a celebration of the heart.
The highest intention of Anusara yoga is to align with the divine, stepping deeper into the flow of grace. The 240 poses are heart-oriented, fostering feelings of love and happiness.
Anusara yoga philosophy teaches us to open our heart with love to the present moment without clinging or pushing, accepting the world as it is and responding to it with love.
For more information check out www.anusara.com
We often think of this flowering rhizome when baking cookies around the holidays, or when eating Asian cuisine. But ginger has more to offer than as a seasoning or spice. It also boasts potent healing properties.
Ginger has long been known to be helpful with nausea, vomiting, morning sickness and motion sickness. But research is now showing that it also has anti-inflammatory properties, helpful for treating arthritis symptoms, and blood thinning properties similar to aspirin. Additionally, ginger helps to boost the immune system, relieve gas and stimulate digestion. When used fresh in meat and bean dishes, ginger helps to break down proteins making these foods easier to digest.
Ginger’s warming properties make it an ideal addition to your diet during the cold months. Grate fresh ginger into soups, stir fries, or marinades. Steep a slice in hot water with lemon and honey for a deliciously sweet, soothing yet mildly spicy tea. Kept in the freezer, fresh ginger will last indefinitely. Grate what you need, when you need.
Take one Ginger and call me in the morning!
Just came up with this soup the other day. It’s got a mild kick, and amazing flavor, from the Chipotle taco seasoning mix. Try it out and let me know what you think!
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 15oz can chopped tomatoes with mild green chile
1 32oz box chicken broth
1 package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into small chunks
½ head napa cabbage, chopped (this replaces the lettuce normally in tacos)
1 cup baby corn, chopped (you could also use frozen corn kernels, but I like the texture from the baby corn)
½ a package of chipotle taco seasoning mix
For topping:
Sour cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Crushed corn chips
In a soup pan, sauté the onion and celery in a tablespoon or so of olive oil until tender. Add in the garlic and sauté for another minute then add in the rest of the ingredients. No brain science here. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and starting to shred. To serve, fill soup bowl with Chicken Taco Soup, sprinkle with cheese, and a few crushed corn chips then top off with a dollop of sour cream. So yummy!
Warm oil self-massage is a blissfully relaxing and revitalizing practice for mind, body and soul during these cold winter months. Ayurvedic self massage (Snehana) not only keeps skin moisturized and supple, but helps to improve circulation and support the toning, strengthening and lubrication of muscles and joints. Snehan also helps release deep toxins held in the body. Daily practice can help balance the emotions and keep the mind clear and alert. It also can help increase energy during the day and promote sound sleep through the night.
Materials:
Massage oil suited to your dosha. We recommend a blend of organic Sesame and Sunflower oils to make an excellent tridoshic blend. Add some essestial oils, if you like!
Plastic squeeze bottle
Pot of very warm water
Old towel or mat.
Step 1. Pour the oil into the squeeze bottle and place the bottle in the warm water for 5 minutes or until the oil heats up to comfortably warm.
Step 2. Stand on your towel or mat in a comfortably warm, draft-free room or place the towel in an empty bath tub and sit.
Step 3. Squeeze the oil a little at a time into your palm and apply the oil to your entire body.
Step 4. Massage the oil into your skin, giving each part of your body adequate attention. Use up and down strokes over limbs and circular strokes over joints, chest and abdomen. Apply lighter pressure over chest and abdomen than over extremities.
Step 5. When massaging your scalp, apply oil to the crown of the head and then work the oil into your scalp with your fingers in outward circles.
Step 6. Wipe excess oil off your feet before stepping off the towel or mat.
Step 7. Take a warm bath or shower, being very careful not to slip.
Step 8. Pat your skin with a towel instead of rubbing if you would like to leave a thin layer of oil.
Contributed by Ilana Sobo
DID YOU KNOW the Jerusalem artichoke, also known as Sunroot or Sunchoke, is the root of a species of wild sunflower? It contains inulin, a natural sugar that has minimal impact on blood sugar levels, making it a good addition to the diets of diabetics. It also helps to stimulate insulin production. Jerusalem artichokes have a mild, sweet, nutty flavor and can be prepared similar to potatoes- boiled or roasted, then peeled and enjoyed in a variety of dishes.
