Curried Chicken Salad...From Kristi's Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. cooked, shredded organic chicken

1/2 c. grapeseed oil vegenaise

1 stalk organic celery, diced

15 grapes, quartered (organic if imported)

1 tbsp. sliced raw almonds

3/4 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

-Combine all ingredients and chill for at least 30 minutes

-Serve in butter lettuce cups with carrots sticks and crispy green beans

This is perfect for a light lunch...

Take it to the family picnic or an office party...It is DELICIOUS!

The True Source of Health & Wellness...

       When thinking about health and wellness, most of us assume that if we feel great or if we're skinny then, we must be healthy...and while there is a small measure of truth in that thought (feeling great CAN be a result of great health and a trim body DOES naturally occur as a result of health)...the reality is that it is not an adequate plum line for health - you can feel great and have failing health- you can be skinny as a rail and completely unhealthy. 

       The genuine measure of health is found in two very important systems within the human body - the Central Nervous System and the Digestive System. These systems get little air time in the doctors offices and hospitals in general and especially where regulating overall health is concerned...

       I am not conventional medicine bashing here...I am just saying that in my own personal experience I have never had a medical doctor ask about the health of my spine or link my over health and wellness to my gut or nutritional habits.

       Truth be told- if you have physical, chemical or emotional interference in your central nervous system and toxic build up in your gut then, your body is in a state of dis-ease which will ultimately lead to disease. In this state, your body CANNOT function at its full, God-given potential and you WILL NOT experience the ultimate health and abundant life intended for you!

      The brain- through the central nervous system- regulates the function of every single cell in your body. If there is interference of any kind in your spine, then this interrupts the nerve's ability to communicate effectively and results in malfunction and disease in the organs being interfered with... on the same level, the flora (good bacteria) in your gut keep your immune system strong and help to regulate all the sub-systems that work in conjunction with the immune system to fight foreign agents that attack the body...so, if there is a steady stream of toxins being dumped into the system then it is rendered defenseless! 

      These two systems work in concert to produce the harmony of health orchestrated by God and intended for every living creature! It is of utmost importance -if your goal/desire is amazing health - that you proactively protect and maintain these two systems. True health lies in their wellness!

Make investing in your health a priority! 

     We all pay for our health in one form or another...you will either invest in order to maintain health and prevent disease on the front end (with chiropractic wellness care and sound nutrition that maintain the good flora) or you will pay on the backside to salvage what little is left...

      I don't know about you, but I would rather make the investment in time, energy and resources now to establish health and reap the reward than, to neglect my health and reap the burden that ultimately comes...

Wishing you revolutionary health, joy & healing so that you may experience the full, abundant life God intends for you! You don't have to settle!

*Check out the "Links of Interest" to the right for more information on this topic...

Pot of Lentils...From Kristi's Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 lb. dried lentils; rinsed and drained

8 cups water

4 slices organic turkey bacon

1/2 large onion, processed or fine dice

2 celery stalks, processed

3 green onion, processed

1/2 -1 tbsp. honey (according to taste and balance of flavor)

3 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 bay leaves

Directions:

-Process onion, celery and green onion

-Chop bacon into small pieces and render in pot until cooked

-Add processed veggies to bacon and cook on medium heat until translucent

-Pour prepared beans into bacon/veggie mixture and cover with water

-Stir in bay leaves and seasoning and bring to a boil

-Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 1- 1 1/2 hours; until beans are tender

-Pull bay leaves out when cooking is complete

Serve with Sauteed Collard or Turnip Greens & a baked sweet potato with organic butter, sea salt and pepper

You may also serve these over a portion of steamed brown rice

To make soup add organic chicken stock to desired consistency and adjust seasoning to taste.. 

Delicious!

Three Bean Dip...From Kristi's Kitchen

Featured on Beyond Organic's Facebook page this week

http://www.facebook.com/LiveBeyondOrganic

Ingredients:

14 oz. cooked pinto beans, drained NOT rinsed (may use canned)

14 oz. cooked black beans, drained NOT rinsed (may use canned)

14 oz. cooked light kidney beans, drained NOT rinsed (may use canned)

4 oz. tomato paste

14 oz. petite diced tomatoes, drained

1 medium lime, juiced

1/2 of medium jalapeno

1/2 of medium green bell pepper

1/2 of large red onion

1 handful of fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 cup rice vinegar

4 cloves of garlic

2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 1/2 tsp. honey (may need a bit more depending on personal taste and balance of salty/sweet - when adding more start with the smallest amount and work up...I work in 1/8 tsp. increments until its perfect to my taste buds)

Directions:

-Process all ingredients to a puree in a large food processor (I typically process all the veggies and liquid together in a batch in the blender and then in a separate food processor combine the beans and tomatoes paste -then incorporate both mixture together until smooth)

-Taste and adjust honey/seasonings as needed

Serve with your favorite dippers or warmed as a refried bean substitute on mexican night... Refrigerate leftovers...makes about 5 cups. ENJOY!

Ginger Coconut Chicken Soup From Kristi's Kitchen

Ingredients:

14 oz. coconut milk
1 c. organic chicken broth
1/4 -1/2 c. cooked, shredded organic chicken
1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp. grated organic carrots
5/8 tsp. (1/2 + 1/8 tsp.) ground ginger
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt

garnish with fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:

-Combine all ingredients in medium sauce pot on medium heat
-Bring to a boil
-Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes and ENJOY!

(makes 2 nice servings)

Today's 10 minute throw together... "What are we going to do for lunch!??!" special... and it turned out so spectacular that it became the feature of the day!


Let me know what you think!

Organic or Not...The Frugal's Guide to Shopping...

If you're new to the world of organic, your first inclination is probably to assume that all fruits and veggies MUST be purchased organically. They may be purchased organically- it is the absolute best way to insure that your bases are completely covered- but, if you are on a budget like me you will be happy to note that there is a list of fruits and veggies that may be purchased "conventionally" -meaning not organic...
While talking all things health and nutrition with a friend this afternoon, I realized that this knowledge was not wide spread and might be helpful to put out there...so here it is...The place where Happy Eating and Happy Saving collide! Whoohoo!

Must Be Bought Organically - they drink in the pesticides:

Peaches, Nectarines
Apples, Pears
Sweet Bell Pepper (red, green, yellow)
Celery
Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries
Cherries
Kale, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens
Lettuces, Spinach
Grapes(Imported) - If they're USA grown they may be purchased conventionally
Carrots
Potatoes

May Be Purchased Conventionally:

Onion
Avocado
Sweet corn (frozen)
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet peas (frozen)
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli, Cauliflower
Tomato
Sweet potato
Bananas

The Environmental Working Group has a more extensive list on its website:
http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/list/

Another thing to be aware of is that 80+% of the corn and soy crops in our country are ladened with GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms). They have not completely uncovered the health ramifications of this so, buyer beware... best to buy corn organically and avoid soy unless its labeled Non-GMO....

Hope this is helpful... Happy Eating and Budgeting!

Almond Butter Applied...Elvis Would Be Proud!

We've already talked about the Almond Butter recipe and it is delicious. I thought today that I would make a practical application for you...some times you just need a good old fashioned -kid pleasing- nut butter sandwich!
Growing up, I was enamored with Elvis Presley -he truly was "King" in my book...I would sit up way into the night crooning to "Won't You Be My Teddy Bear" and "Love Me Tender".
It has been widely published that one of Elvis' favorite sandwiches was a Peanut Butter, Bacon, Banana & Honey on White Bread...and back in the day before pigs being the earth's garbage disposal was on my radar it became one of my favorite too. I have a thing for salty/sweet combinations and that sandwich satisfied it in every way!
After posting the Almond Butter recipe the other day, my mind harkened back to those delectable days and I rose to the challenge. Here's how it stacks up...

Ingredients:

Sliced Whole grain sourdough or sprouted bread (homemade is best)
Home Spun Almond Butter (see earlier post for recipe)
Organic nitrate-free turkey bacon
sliced banana
Honey to drizzle

Directions:

Stack all the ingredients in a fashion that pleases and enjoy...serve with a side of celery sticks and you are good to go!
Bananas don't have to be bought organically because of their peel but, they are high glycemic so this is definitely a treat -make it as your brisk walk power up and not your late night snack!