by bringmebliss | Mar 31, 2015 | Fun Food
I like it Hot and Healthy, so if you’re into spice and like to eat your veggies, this one is sure to please. Makes a great vegetarian snack or addition to any main dish.
Ingredients
1 medium sized Spaghetti Squash
Spicy Lime Vinaigrette:
Juice from 2 limes
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 chile peppers, minced (small, dried, red hot peppers are best)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Heat squash in microwave for 5 minutes on high to soften the squash for cutting.
Cut in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds.
Lay flat side down in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish and add 1/2 inch of water
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until tender.
Scoop out squash into a bowl.
Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and drizzle the Spicy Lime Vinaigrette on top of the squash. Stir it around before serving. Serve with a main dish or enjoy as a snack. This is one hot and spicy dish!
by bringmebliss | Mar 17, 2015 | Fun Food
by Roseann Borucki-Zaft
Blueberry is my favorite…but any berries, solo or in combination is the way to go! This is not only a dessert…sometimes we eat it for breakfast, lunch and definitely as a yummy and healthy snack or dessert. Best if eaten within a few days, but trust me, it never lasts that long!
Crust:
2 cups nuts (your choice: almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia – don't soak)
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 tsp. salt
Filling:
6 cups fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and/or strawberries)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. Psyllium powder (or flax meal as a thickener
1-2 tsp. chia seed
1 cup pitted dates
dash of cinnamon
Optional topping:
You can sprinkle a bit more cinnamon on top of your pie. Also consider topping with coconut flakes or decorate it with some berries.
A few words about Dates: I used Black Sphinx, they’re local here in Arizona, but you can use Medjool dates or any other kind. Just be sure to remove all of the pits and (Soak about 10 minutes if they aren’t soft enough. Save the soaking water for your smoothie or next cup of tea… it’s a great sweetener. I have started cutting back on the dates in the filling, since the berries offer enough sweetness. Often times I use only a ½ cup instead.)
Blend raw nuts and ground flax seed in a food processor to a small crumbs consistency.
Add dates and salt, blend well and pour into a 9-inch pie plate; press to form the crust.
Place pie crust in the freezer for about 15 minutes while you prepare the filling.
Put 2 cups of the fruit, the lemon juice and the soaked dates (minus the soaking water), Psyllium, chia and cinnamon into a blender or Vitamix, blend to a smooth liquid.
Put remaining 4 cups of fruit into a large bowl. Pour the blended fruit mixture into the bowl and mix it all together.
Take pie crust out of freezer and pour/spread the fruit mixture into it.
You can eat it right away but best if you refrigerate it for about an hour or 2.
Roseann is a holistic wellness coach specializing in fitness, nutrition, weight-loss and whole-body health. She is trained and certified in a variety of modalities and can help people enjoy a healthy and energetic life.
Roseann Borucki-Zaft, CHC, CPT
www.roseannzaft.com
by bringmebliss | Mar 10, 2015 | Fun Food
by Jenni Hulburt
Greens, almond milk, fruit, superfoods – what else could you possibly add to your smoothie?
Essential oils will give your juices and smoothies a powerful kick of flavor – not to mention great benefits physically and emotionally. Adding a glass of juice or smoothie to your daily routine may bring on better immunity, a slimmer body, better sleep, and clearer skin. You really can create optimal health through your kitchen using real food ingredients and pure essential oils.
How to Use Essential Oils
Flavoring juices and smoothies with essential oils is tasty, but using essential oils internally is also an important daily health habit. Essential oils support the mouth, throat, digestive system, and immune system. When using essential oils internally, you may consume 2-3 drops for their therapeutic benefits and support to the body’s systems. However, only 1-2 drops are needed for flavor and benefits when juicing and blending.
Juices or Smoothies?
Is juicing better than blending because you get more nutrients? Should you blend instead of juice to keep the fiber? The answer usually comes down to which one is best for you and your health goals. Here’s a comparison of juicing and blending to help you decide.
Juice: Pulp and liquid are separated so you are left with a concentrated fruit and vegetable blended drink that provides instant vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
• Less work on digestion because there is virtually no fiber to break down
• Body focuses on rest and repair as nutrients are quickly assimilated
• Consume more nutrients with more vegetables and fruits
• Ideal for hydration, cleansing, and cellular repair
Smoothie: All ingredients (liquid base, fruit, vegetables, and spices) are blended – fiber included.
• Fiber supports blood sugar balance and digestive health, including regular elimination.
• A high-speed blender is ideal for smoother and more palatable drinks.
• Ideal for a light meal, a nutritious snack, before or after a workout, or to end a detox or fast.
Jenni’s 5 Favorite Essential Oils for Juices and Smoothies
• Cinnamon: Helps to warm the body; invigorate; uplift immunity
• Fennel: Soothe menstrual cramps and digestive issues
• Ginger: Aid motion sickness and nausea; ease cold or flu congestion
• Lemon: Stimulate cleansing and lymphatic flow; uplift mood
• Peppermint: Soothe digestive issues; oxygenating
Chocolate Mint Maca Smoothie (from Essential Juices and Smoothies)
• 1 ½ cups almond milk
• 1 cup kale
• ¼ avocado
• 3 dates, pitted
• 1 Tablespoon cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon maca powder
• 1-2 drops peppermint essential oil
Combine ingredients, except essential oil into a blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Add essential oil last, to taste.
Jenni Hulburt is a health and fitness coach, and has a BS in Exercise Science and MS in Kinesiology. Jenni started the Nature Fed Wellness movement to inspire people to revolutionize their health through nature. She is the author of Essential Juices and Smoothies, the Dirt Detox, and creator of the Inspire Workouts. Jenni offers fitness and lifestyle coaching, and wellness resources for people who want results in their body and their life. Visit her online at www.jennihulburt.com.
For information on how to use and purchase essential oils, CLICK NATURE'S RX HERE!
by bringmebliss | Mar 2, 2015 | Fun Food
Recipe of the Week
A delightful sweet potato dish with a spicy, cinnamon kick!
Ingredients: You can add whatever you want – onions, garlic, apples…but this is super simple and easy and nutritious even without the additions!
1 yam or sweet potato, par baked (at 400 for about 20 minutes), let cool
1-2 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil
2 shakes of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons organic coconut oil
Wow! This is delicious!
1. Cut up cooled sweet potato in small pieces.
2. Sautee in frying pan using the coconut oil, until it’s as browned as you like it.
3. Toss in the drop of Cinnamon Oil.
4. Sprinkle 2 shakes of cayenne pepper.
5. Toss together and serve immediately alone or with a side dish.
Makes 2 servings.
This makes a nice side dish with the One Egg Pancake!
by bringmebliss | Feb 24, 2015 | Fun Food
Recipe of the Week!
This is a hearty little breakfast for those needing some good protein and healthy eating before heading out the door.
*One free-range egg, whisked and sauteed in a small pan with a tiny bit of avocado oil
*Chopped, cooked broccoli reheated
*Sprinkle Cheese (optional)
*3 Dashes Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce (or your favorite – optional)
Pan fry the whisked egg on one side until almost firm; then flip and lightly cook other side. Add reheated broccoli, cheese and hot sauce and serve! Add a side dish of fruit and a cup of coffee and you're good to go!
Alternate healthy toppings:
*Cooked black beans
*Chopped, cooked peppers, onions or other veggies such as yellow squash or zucchini
*Red or Green Salsa
*Chopped avocado
*Chopped cooked sweet potato
New to Bring Me Bliss? Become a Bliss Buddy now!
by bringmebliss | Feb 8, 2015 | Fun Food
Snack Smarter is the mantra of naturebox™ – a revolutionary food company that directly sells subscriptions to consumers who receive a fresh new box of snacks each month for only $20.
I had never heard of this company before my husband secretly signed up online and we received our first order. He loves to try new things and I am the delighted, blissful beneficiary! Our first box of snacks went pretty quickly – they were so good!
It had been a few weeks and I had completely forgotten about our naturebox™, when behold! Our next box arrived with a whole new set of snacks. This month we are enjoying guacamole bites, mini medjools (dates), sriracha roasted cashews (yum!), sour cream and onion almonds and pistachio power clusters.
There are over 100 snacks to choose from making it (NOT EASY) to choose, but it's really fun going through the menu and picking out new nibbles.
The snacks are nutritionist approved and Nature Box claims the following:
* No hydrogenated oils
* No artificial colors, sweeteners & flavors
* No added sulfites
* Less than 200 calories per 30g serving
* High-quality, nutritious ingredients
* Thoughtful sourcing
* Innovative, unique flavors
I'm telling you, this is way better than a magazine subscription (albeit way more expensive). It's fun, delicious and nutritious. But if you like to snack and you can afford this, there's no reason to not give this a try.
Happy snacking!
