As I write this post, the big hurricane named Sandy, is supposed to hit our area of the world. The town we just moved to was out of power for over a week the last time a big storm hit. So in preparation for that possibility, I decided to use some items in the freezer now, just in case the food goes bad from no power in the next day or so. That is why I am calling this hurricane stew! Hey! Maybe it's hurricane soup... I never know what I am making till I create it. Most of my soups are pretty hearty and look like stews anyway! One thing is sure, we are going to have to hunker down inside. So let's make some cozy food, and send good thoughts to those in the path of this large storm.
We have two pastured chickens from a local farm in the freezer. Since I rarely make any meat, I felt this was a good time to defrost one. Everyone online is buzzing about the big storm, so I had a few days warning about the upcoming weather event. Therefore, I was able to plan these next few items one day ahead of the soup making. I decided to slow cook the pastured chicken in the crock-pot to get it ready to add to my soup/stew the next day. Oh Boy, this turned out to be a very big chicken, and it barely fit into my large crock-pot. The local farmer who raised the chicken was a student of Joel Salatin. As a matter of fact, he and his wife spent their honeymoon at Joel's Farm. That is dedication to learning proper farming techniques. Remember if you are going to eat meat, get the most healthy pasture-raised meats available. If you give me that "oh it's so expensive face," I will say to you to just cut back on your meat consumption anyway, and then you can certainly afford to get the good stuff. There is no comparison in taste and nutrient value. Plus there are no weird hormones or GMO's from the grain, like the animals in factory farming are fed, and then get passed onto you in the food chain.
Since I wanted some healthy beans in my stew, I decided to open the bag of the RanchoGordo Heirloomcannellini beans I had in the pantry. These are some gorgeous looking big white beans! Look at that fabulous graphic on the package. Ultra cool! Check out the Rancho Gordo website for all sorts of recipes and tips about their heirloom bean collection. Below I will also post their video instructions for soaking beans. I soaked my beans overnight. They recommend that you add the soaking water as well to your bean dish, instead of dumping it in the sink, because the vitamins are in the water. Click on 'Read More' below to view entire post.
During the beginning phases of transitioning out of the standard American diet, one quickly thinks about those old comfort foods like pasta. What are you going to use instead? Yes it is true that we now mostly use spaghetti squash, as this is the best option for health. Though in reality sometimes you are low on your main meal veggies because tomorrow is food market day. So you look in your cupboard for dinner ideas...
For people new to changing out their foods, transitioning is a process that takes time. As we move to conscious healthier food choices we will find new products that may or may not remain a part of our choices in the future. I have found it is good to have some organic processed foods on hand that take you safely to the next level, and keep you on track for better health overall. There are some organic processed foods that help create that comfort food feeling you are familiar with from old conditioning. What you need is the healthiest choice of that item, and I feel this pasta from Eden Foods fits the bill very well.
Most of the packaged options for gluten free pastas turn into cardboard mush. I have found an option made by Eden Foods brand that comes close to actual pasta. Though not gluten-free, it does use a wheat that is not the modern day wheat which wreaks havoc on peoples guts. This pasta uses 70% whole grain organic Kamut wheat which comes from an ancient grain called Korasan that is two times larger than the modern short grain. Kamut is not genetically modified, and the company which grows the Kamut wheat says if you see the trademarked word 'Kamut' used in a product that you can be sure it is not a GMO. Yea! Thank you! This pasta also has 30% Quinoa which is an ancient seed of the Incas that is gluten-free. So I think this packaged pasta is a pretty good option for making a pasta dish that is easy on the belly. People with wheat allergies seem to be able to handle eating Kamut, though people with Celiac disease cannot. Watch the Kamut company video below for info about this grain.
Eden Kamut Quinoa Twisted Pair is a versatile pasta that you can use to make hot or cold dishes.
Simple Salmon Pasta Salad
Toss the Eden Twisted Pasta in with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, Romain leaves
and wild Alaskan salmon. Drizzle with a ginger vinaigrette or stir in some pesto. Yummy.
Below you will find the recipe for my traditional vegetable pasta meal. All ingredients are organic. Just
like the old days, cook the twisted pasta in boiling water 10 minutes. Don't over do it! Taste the pasta for
soft firmness, and drain. I find the twisted shape
holds your sauce very well. I load the sauce with zucchini, onions,
peppers, artichokes and anything else that is around, and I also make those
veggies the main focus of the dish. Remember, it is always about the plants and the salad!
1/3 tsp coconut oil (I used Tropical Traditions Gold)
fresh basil chopped
oregano
Boil water (hopefully not filled with fluoride) and follow pasta directions. Rub coconut oil in stainless steel or enamel pan. Add all chopped veggies to saute, except the artichokes. Add spices. When vegetables have desired light saute, add artichokes and liquid from jar. Then add your tomato sauce. Cook a for a few minutes longer. Spoon over a small portion of Kamut Quinoa pasta. If you still eat cheese (I do not) grate some fresh Parmesan on top. Serve with a big fresh organic salad of course!
I would like to add that Eden Foods who is using the Kamut wheat for this product, is fighting the good fight against the genetically modified food industry. They have joined the campaign for transparent labeling of what is really in our food in the California Prop 37. I support companies who support labeling of GMO's in our food, and I will drop any product from my life if I find they are supporting the cover up of GMO's. I really dislike the sneaky way Big Ag and the USDA added this to our food supply years ago. Read myGMO page for more info on this important health topic that should be of concern to everyone. Feel free to share the graphic below to get the word out about your right to know. Also, the company whose artichokes I purchased called Native Forest gave money towards the GMO labeling campaign too! I am paying attention to who is on these lists. I dropped Lara bars from my snack list. My daughter is making her own homemade version anyway. Much better!
Every so often I make something with Eden Foods Kamut Quinoa Twisted Pair, and hubby loves these dishes because they do have the old comfort food feel. So when you are searching out what to substitute in for a pasta recipe, give this ancient grain and seed combo a try. Plus, it's good for making a delish dish for your visiting friends and family who are not organic, so they see you are not so crazy after all, (well maybe just a wee bit Twisted sista, but that's our little secret).
One of the best reasons to decide you are going to improve the way you eat... is because you want to live your life to its fullest potential. You want to have fun! You want to experience all that you can! You choose health! You choose to be vibrant and loving! You choose a bright energetic body. You are starting to juice everyday!
Changing up your food choices, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your life helps you with these goals. My husband and I see doing this as an adventure! We find more "new" things to eat and enjoy every week. We are not depriving ourselves at all. We are improving and lightening the load on our bodies. We are perfection in our own way. We do the best we can on any given day. Juicing fresh organic juice helps rev up your life engines. Juicing helps clean out your toxins and gets your energy body opening up to be more loving. That makes everything in your life easier, don't you think?
I love the video above because these two raw food gurus talk about how food choices impact your entire life and interaction with other people. By the way, can you see the beautiful skin on these two people? Do you see the glow? That is something I always notice on people who are fully or mostly raw. (Which means no cooked foods) Now, I am not a strict raw foodist, but I am doing my best to work towards an 80% intake of raw organic foods each day. Some days are better than others, and that is the stuff of life. Remember everyday is a new opportunity to enjoy life, enjoy your fresh foods, and enjoy the people around you. Just do the best you can with moving forward on your healthy journey! Loving yourself enough to want to be the healthiest body you can is key. This way your loving spirit can come through and shine on everyone! Use the life force, and be Peace. This video stars Dan The Man "The life Regenerator" and Fully Raw Kristina. Check out their websites which are full of helpful information for your new food adventure.
Sorry I have not been posting lately, this is due to hubby and myself moving to a new cottage under some beautiful trees. Moving takes so much focus and energy to get through! Ugh! to this grueling moving and packing all our stuff process! I always think of George Carlin. This is actually the first time I have been on the computer in over two weeks. I needed to do something different than unpack boxes and dig out of the mess, for an hour or two. Anyway I was sent a few emails from different sources about this Cancer summit put together by Kevin Gianni, and wanted to share it with you. It will be held October 31st to November 4th, Nov 7 to Nov. 13 two hours each evening (8PM EST or 5PM Pacific Time) and is free to tune in to during that time. As always these events present a package where you can purchase the lectures if you wish. Since I was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer I will be listening in to these informative lectures with interest. Some of my favorite Cancer advocates are involved. Having gone to the surgeon's office today (the one who performed my double lumpectomy on one breast), I can tell you I was seriously bombarded with the "you must get radiation" propaganda again. The industry pushes hard. And I had the least amount of Cancer you can get! To keep on top of all your options please visit my Cancer page for additional alternative information about Cancer prevention and personal attitudes. This is so you can make an informed decision about your body, and feel good about what you think is right for your condition. If you are interested in ideas that are not corporate standard operating procedure, (remember Cancer is big business) I would suggest you sign up for this free 5 day series of lectures. Just go here.Cheers, and drink your fresh organic vegetable juice!
