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Quinoa Pasta Gluten Free Recipe

Looking for this recipe?  It can be found over [HERE] at our site and new blog.  We're still testing everything out, but right now we're planning on migrating everything over there.

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Nothing Like Home Made Veggie Soup - Recipe

I love soup.  Especially during the winter when it's cold out.  Helps warm my insides and opens up the sinuses.  ;)  I make all my soups with a pressure cooker- wrote about them HERE.  They speed up the process and everything that comes out of them is delicious.  This soup is easy to make, quick, nutrient dense and of course... super delicious.  Lately, I've been changing up the ingredients based on what's been available and I like the changes.

Yes- I do add olives and avocado to them every chance I get.  Love the combo- salt from the olives and the avocado is tasty and a good fat which helps stabilize blood sugar.  Yes- good fat is good for you.  No- it will not make you fat.

This is what I used this time (organic):

1 Stick of Grassfed Butter (I use and recommend KerryGold- I use half of it)
2 Whole Onions- chopped
Leeks- this time I used an entire frozen bag of them
Mushrooms- diced (I like to cut my mushrooms)
Bag of Carrots
Good size head of parsley- fined chopped
4 Bok Choy- left whole aside from cutting ends off
4 Cloves Garlic
2 Bay Leaves
Spring Water

The key is to melt the butter and saute the onions till sweated and glistening.  Once done add the rest of the ingredients.  I pressure cook for approx 10 minutes once pressure is reached.  Play around and add what you like.  Can't go wrong with veggie soup.  See what happens below.  :)  Yep- we joined the VINE world.  Join us!



p.s. My wonderful lentil soup (yes- it's delicious too) recipe is HERE.

Enjoy!

Stay in the LOOP!

Remember to SIGN UP to stay in the LOOP. :) Goodness straight to your inbox (different than feed burner for posts). Once a month, with ♥. http://eepurl.com/k_s01

Love before me. Love behind me.  Love at my left.  Love at my right.  Love above me.  Love below me. Love onto me.  Love in my surroundings.  Love to all.  Love to the universe.  Peace before me. Peace behind me.  Peace at my left.  Peace at my right.  Peace above me.  Peace below me. Peace onto me.  Peace in my surroundings.  Peace to all.  Peace to the universe.  Light before me. Light behind me.  Light at my left.  Light at my right.  Light above me.  Light below me. Light onto me.  Light in my surroundings.  Light to all.  Light to the universe.  {Meditation from Spiritual Leader Gurunam}

Delicious Pizza (Gluten and Grain Free) Recipe

Hello!  Yes- this is amazingly delicious gluten + grain free pizza!  Simple and minimal prep time and it isn't one of those recipes that just look like but don't taste like what you're looking for.  ;)

You do have to like quinoa, but it doesn't really taste like quinoa and you have to like flat crust pizza.

I used a combo of red and white quinoa, but any quinoa will do.  

1. Soak 3/4 cup quinoa for at least 8 hours.  Then rinse well and drain.

2. Add soaked/rinsed quinoa, 1/4 cup water, and 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1/2 teaspoon with sea salt, and blend in a high speed blender till it resembles pancake batter.  I used a Cuisinart.  

I blended and scraped sides with a spatula a couple of times. 

If you need more water slowly add up to 1/4 cup more (I only needed 1/4 cup).

3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and coat a cast iron skillet with olive oil.  

Let skillet heat up in oven for approximately 10 minutes (good to do whilst blending- step #2).

4. Remove the skillet from oven.  Spread batter with spatula (see image below).  Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.  Flip {*} and bake (if necessary) for another 5-10 minutes.  

5. Add toppings of your choice! 

{*} Good to do this step after the flip too.  

I used tomato paste, olives, basil and Dr-Cow's nut cheese (last picture).

I haven't had pizza for so long so this was an especially nice treat... and no regrets later.  :) 

Charcoal

Charcoal has been having a theme lately... I love both of these items.  Use code: GOG211 if you shop at iherb.com to save.

Giovanni Detox Purifying Exfoliant Scrub. It's warm when you put it on the body and is a nice scrub.
Activated charcoal and volcanic ash combine, diving deep into pores, absorbing debris. Whisking away bacteria and toxins. Making way for exotic acai and goji berry, super-antioxidants hand-harvested at their peak for maximum nourishment. Skin is left gently fragranced with essential oils of luscious fig and clean green tea. Giving you clarity for mind, body and soul.

The Moso Purifying Bags got awesome reviews and thought why not try them out...
Moso air purifying bags, made of linen and filled with bamboo charcoal, absorb unpleasant odors and dehumidify the air. The porous structure of the high density bamboo charcoal helps remove bacteria, harmful pollutants and allergens from the air and absorbs moisture, preventing mold and mildew by trapping the impurities inside each pore. The Moso air purifying bag has been scientifically proven to reduce the  amount of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and chloroform gases emitted from everyday items such as paint, carpeting, furniture, air fresheners, chemical cleaners, rubber, and plastics. Toxin free, the bags are safe to use around pets and children. The bamboo charcoal rejuvenates when the bags are placed in sunlight once a month. You can reuse the bags for two years, after which the charcoal can be poured into the soil around plants to fertilize and help retain moisture. 

Chaga Hot Chocolate Recipe

Chaga hot chocolate is REALLY good and according to Daniel Vitalis and others, it is very good for you (medicinal, full of antioxidants, great for the immune system, etc).  If you make it this way- it's not only delicious, but low glycemic so you won't be spiking your blood sugar.  Additionally, if you like coffee- chaga has a similar taste sans the bad effects.

Take a piece(s) of chaga...  These are from Keystone Herbs and boil in spring water till boiling- then simmer for 5 minutes.  Drain thru a strainer into a mug and add a tablespoon of cacao powder.  Use xyiltol, green stevia, coconut sugar or liquid stevia* to sweeten.  Top off with a little coconut milk (not coconut water) and mix well.  Enjoy!

*I have been a huge advocate of liquid stevia.  I do really like it... and still think it's better vs the regular refined sugars.  However, I have been hearing more and more that it is refined to be more potent and sweeter- so just keep that in mind.  And I am on the search for green stevia- apparently less refined.

Use code: GOG211 if you shop at iherb.com to save.

SEED: The Untold Story

Happy New Year!  Hope it's off to a fantastic start!  I just backed this Kickstarter: SEED The Untold Story- hope you'll join me and share with your friends.  This is SO VERY IMPORTANT!

SEED: The Untold Story is a new documentary film that will investigate the dramatic story of seeds, the basis of life on earth. For 12,000 years man has been nurturing and cultivating seeds to form the backbone of civilization. Now, 94% of our seed varieties have been lost and many more are nearing extinction.

SEED unveils a David and Goliath battle for the future of our seeds by examining how five chemical corporations have taken control of seeds through patents, copyrights and genetic modification. These companies are placing ownership on the seeds, literally stealing the genetic material from our ancestors who nurtured these seeds for thousands of years. As Vandana Shiva says “the threat to seed freedom impacts the very fabric of human life and life on the planet.”

Reflections

On the eve of the New Year I always take time to reflect on the year and put goals in place for the new one.  I've been doing this for many years now and I think it greatly helps define and direct one's success in achieving their goals... before it's too late.  

My Grandfather, whom I was extremely close to passed recently.  He lived a grand 93 years and was with family and friends till the end.  We all read this book: Learning How to Let Go by Mary Beth Willi.  A hospice nurse recommended it- said she had read many and this was the best one out there.  It was a tremendous help.  Identifies stages of dying physically and spiritually.  The author has been a hospice nurse for many years and recognized familiar patterns/stages in the dying process- it's a process we all go through. It is so interesting.  This book brings knowledge so you understand exactly what is going on and also a comfort that they are ok.  In our experience, the book was spot on and witnessed many things we wouldn't have recognized had we not read the book.  Part of it is on Google Reader too HERE. I recommend to all.  

Though 93 years may seem like a long time, when you're there- it doesn't seem that long.  

Think we can all relate.

So.... 

Spend time with those you love and cherish.  

Do the things in this life you want to do.  

Enjoy it!

I appreciate all of you sticking with me, your comments, emails and likes. If not already, please join us on Twitter and FaceBook (which unfortunately seems to be limiting what they share (grrr)), so please make sure you SIGN UP for the HHB Newsletter, which I hope to have out on a monthly basis.  

No spam, won't share your info, and we won't send countless emails-

hope it can be something you look forward to receiving.

Wishing you all the best for 2013 and beyond!  Much love!

PBS Christmas in Yellowstone

Watch Christmas in Yellowstone on PBS. See more from Nature.

Christmas in Yellowstone, is one of my favourite Nature episodes- ever.  

Christmas or no Christmas... it's lovely.  :)

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past.  If you are anxious, you are living in the future.  If you are at peace, you are living in the present." -Lao Tzu

Spring Water Delivered

I have been advocating and luckily drinking spring water for quite a few years now, thanks to Daniel Vitalis and his findaspring.com.  It's the B-E-S-T.

For many, this might not be an easy option. However, there are other options...

Option One: I highly recommended the Berkey Filter, which I think everyone should have on hand even just as a safety precaution (*ahem* Hurricane Sandy and highly chlorinated water).  I use Berkey filtered water for cooking (along with my aquasana shower filter) and drink in those rare instances I do not have spring water.  It produces safe and good tasting water.

Option Two: I have been using a spring water delivery service- straight from the Adirondacks!  They know what's up: "people still ask where does the water come from? It is called the great Hydrologic Cycle".  It's clean, crisp, refreshing and just as good if not better than Stokes.  As much as I like to get a break from the city- now it's all about pure enjoyment vs having to make the trip for water.  If interested, contact: marc@themanhattanwatercompany.com and let him know Dawn sent you his way.  They are in the midst of updating their "branding", but you can visit them HERE.

If you don't live in the New York, New Jersey and surrounding areas- I am sure there will be other spring water deliveries popping up soon.  Clean water for all.  Cheers!

Lions and Tortoises

Been craving some nature love and found two beautiful stories on 60 Minutes.  <3 p="p">

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible."  
-Christopher Reeve

Protein Rich Almond Bread Recipes: Avocado Toast + PB&J Toasted with Chips

Been whipping up a lot of almond bread (substituting coconut nectar with honey) and enjoying it a few different ways.  Sometimes very simple... like fresh out of the oven with some butter and or St. Dalfour jam.  Or with smashed avocado and olives, or the good ol' peanut butter and jelly decadently topped with some crunchy chips.  YUM.  All are superbly protein rich, gluten/grain-free and D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.

p.s. iherb.com savings went up! Use code: GOG211 to save $10 off your first order of $40 or more.  Orders less than $40 receive $5 off.

"The basic problem does not lie with the past, but in the present where we make the decisive choice to live in the present or the past."  -Ken Wapnick

Tea Bag Wisdom

"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment."  Received some tea bag wisdom + inspiration today via some yummy Yogi Ginger Tea.  Love.

Why Aren't There Any Twinkies?

You may have heard... "the seemingly imperishable Twinkie finally may have an expiration date". Hostess is declaring bankruptcy and many have been rushing out to purchase (no- not me) twinkies, etc to find empty shelves.  Apparently they're popping up on eBay.  

Save yourself the stomach ache.   Rocks and petroleum are mostly what's in them- read more here.  It's unfortunate for jobs lost, but it's a very good sign... One of the reasons credited to their downfall: failure to adjust to demands for healthier foods.  Now twinkies are not the only "bad" treat out there, but it's quite significant.  

I remember Hostess well.  As a kid we would get them occasionally as treats.  I do remember them being good- but if I had known what I was eating- I wouldn't have. I haven't had anything Hostess for over a decade and think it's best no one else does as well.  Do not eat poison.  Eat something good that will nourish your body- your home.  Yes these things exist.  Hostess is only good for nostalgia.  

"If you cling to the rocks at the bottom of the river, you are sure to be battered by the rivers current. Let go and allow the current to move you into your next great adventure. Life will shake us loose so we become open and compassionate to all." -Rose Hart