How To Make Homemade Almond Milk

Whole Foods- Homemade Organic Almond Milk

This is one of my new favorite things to do. There is nothing better than making homemade versions of the processed products that you would normally buy at the grocery store. It's cleaner, no fillers, no artificial flavors, no food colorings, and it tastes so much better.

Almonds are a great source of vitamin E, magnesium and calcium. I use my homemade almond milk as a substitute for cows milk in all of my recipes. By making your own organic almond milk you get the benefit of the delicious milk, but you also get to use the leftover almond meal for baking or added to your smoothies in the morning. Almond flour is quite expensive to buy so you are actually saving yourself some money as well by making it yourself. SO efficient!

I swear, this is so easy peezy.  

The Meatrix

The For Real Story Behind factory Farming

I do not want this post to be taken the wrong way and peole get offended. I just want to bring awareness to something that I believe is very important.
I can't say or support this website enough. These videos are a simple and perfect illustration of what really goes on in our meat and dairy industries.
The point and purpose of this website is not to stop eating meat and dairy; but to support local, organic farmers that have respect for both their animals and nature. Their practices work together with the animals they raise and the environment in which they live and graze on. We can make a difference if we want to!

Click on the picture to watch this entertaining video that breaks down a very important topic in our society, into a very easy and understandable manor.

Dulce de Leche Mousse

Dulce de leche mousseAlright, I'm not going to pretend that the Dulce de Leche is a whole food because it is not. But, this mousse is so freakin delicious that it would be unfair for you to go through life and not have the pure pleasure of making this mousse and then eating it. Smiles all around for sure!

Remember, in the words of Julia Child "Everything in moderation, including moderation"

Cooking and Thinking Outside the Box

Rainforest with wild mushroom

I want you to be able to prepare something for dinner and then see the other possibilities from what is leftover. Or see that every time you make my basil pesto to use as a pizza base, that there are so many other things you could do with one simple, nutrient dense spread.

Every recipe I write has a "Cook Outside the Box" at the bottom of the page. This is to help you become creative and realize that cooking can become quite simple if you just look outside the box.

Click on the cute little picture to read more!

What is Chia?

Whole Foods- Chia Seeds

Chia is a seed, native to Mexico and was used by Aztec warriors to sustain their hunger and give them long lasting energy back in the day. Many people lived solely off of chia seeds when there was nothing else to eat. The Aztec and Mayan people still use chia today; agua fresca con chia is still a very popular drink today all over Mexico.

Here is a delicious recipe, make it and eat it:

Chocolate and Banana Chia Pudding

Chocolate and Banana Chia Pudding with Coconut

Whole Foods- Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are filled with antioxidants; to help fight disease and improve immunity. It is also filled with iron; for healthy red blood cells and lots of fiber for healthy bowels. Chia can help give your body long lasting energy, help balance blood sugar levels and help cleans your bowels. WORD to Chia, thank you for existing!

The Diversity Of The Coconut Tree

Thank you Perennial Plate. This 5 minute video shows that if you look outside the box, you can see all of the possibilities that just one plant can give you. These people use the coconut tree from top to bottom, their eyes show warmth and contentment and they seem to be happy with what they have.

Coconuts contain so many wonderful nutritional properties and give such great flavor to many dishes. Try this one Thai Coconut Curry Vegetables. Watch this video and absorb the amazingness!

Organic Vanilla Bean Extract

Happy Birthday my little, delicious organic vanilla extract. She is 1 month old today, I have purchased another LB of organic vanilla beans and will be starting another batch of organic vanilla extract once I arrive home from Mexico. This vanilla extract will take about 4-6 months to be ready so it still has a long way to go, but trust me, good things come to those who wait!

You will be able to purchase this when it is ready, I will be posting her (yes, HER) 2 month birthday next month :) Check this article I wrote on my most favorite ingredient in the world, to learn more about vanilla and all of it's deliciousness.  Vanilla, I Love You!

Chipotle Mango Salsa

Whole Foods- Chipotle Mango Salsa

Aaron's mom and Aunt shared this recipe with us and we love it. This is a refreshing, sweet and spicy salsa that goes great on so many things. Ooooh, fresh, soft goat cheese toasts with chipotle mango salsa. I just thought of that, Yum.

Vegan Chili

Whole Foods- Vegan ChiliI
I am so happy that I have finally made a delicious vegan/vegetarian chili. I have tried many vegetable chilies and I haven't really liked any of them. Imma proud momma today and this vegan chili is my new baby :) Adding the freshly sliced kale and broccoli florets at the end make this recipe nice and hearty. The LOVE is the white wine vinegar and a touch of smoked paprika!

Kale Salad

Whole Foods- Kale Salad
This is what we ate for dinner: Kale Salad with Roasted vegetables , steamed white sweet potatoes and Tahini dressing

Raw Tahini Salad Dressing

Whole Foods- Tahini Salad Dressing

I can not take credit for this recipe, although I wish I could because it's so versatile and delicious. This recipe came from Chad Sarno's cook book called Crazy Sexy Kitchen. I of course, tweaked it a little and I suppose I could say that the extra LOVE comes from the Sriracha hot sauce. Tahini is just finely ground up sesame seeds; Sesame seeds contain the highest source of absorbable calcium out of any food! So stop drinking cows milk to get your calcium, it is not a good absorbable source and it actually makes the body very acidic. Disease grows in acidic bodies. 

Gluten Free Mint and Chocolate Brownies

Whole Foods: Gluten Free Brownies

I originally got this recipe from a friend of mine Barb Thomas whom I think got the recipe from Whole Foods grocery store. I did a little tweaking and added some Christina love. The LOVE that I added to this recipe is the virgin, organic coconut oil which adds a great mild coconut flavor and the peppermint extract which we all know that mint and chocolate love each other; just like chocolate and vanilla do. What I love the most about these brownies besides tasting so freakin good, is that they are a wonderful source of fiber to help maintain healhty bowels. Oh ya, don't roll your eyes and say "yuck" when you see what the main ingredient is.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

What is Nutritional Yeast?

Whole Foods- Nutritional yeastNutritional Yeast is a deactivated yeast that is grown on molasses. It is harvested, washed and then dried to create a yellowish, flaky like product. That yellowish color comes from riboflavin (vitamin B2). Nutritional yeast  is used in many vegan kitchens because it has a “cheesy” like flavor and can be a great supplement to real cheese. 

Click on the picture for full article. 

Vegan Caramel Sauce

Whole Foods- Vegan Caramel SauceI made this vegan caramel sauce for a friends birthday this week and she loved it, which made me very happy. There is nothing better then giving someone a gift that you created yourself. I got the idea for this vegan caramel sauce from a great vegan blog Oh Ladycakes
As you all know, I really like to add my own love to recipes that I find, so the LOVE in this recipe comes from the sea salt and vanilla extract.