RECIPES: Gourmet Gridiron ~ Healthy, Vegan and Gluten Free Super Bowl Menu and Recipes

The holidays are behind us but an all American tradition is coming up quick, Super Bowl Sunday! No matter if you actually watch the game or are just there for the commercials, the best part (at least for me) is the food!  It’s the centerpiece of the party and a bottomless pit of mindless eating for about 4 hours. So why not make the food awesome and on the healthier side? Vegans or not, check out this year’s menu so whether you’re a sports fan or not, you’ll be looking forward to the food!

Game Day Guac

• 3 avocados, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 2 ears corn, grilled and kernels removed
• 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1-2 clove(s) garlic, finely crushed and minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine the avocados, corn, jalapeno, onions, cilantro, lime juice and garlic in a bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with organic tortilla chips or crudite.

Kick Off Popcorn

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup popping corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons melted vegan butter
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspooncayenne pepper

Heat oil in deep pot over medium high heat. Add corn. Cover pot and pop the corn, shaking pan often. Remove from heat. Drizzle with melted butter. Combine spices in a small dish and sprinkle the blend over hot corn. Serve.

Field Goal Green Salad

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup Champagne vinegar
• 1 tablespoonDijon mustard
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup almond oil
• Salt and pepper

For the salad:

• 12 ounces mixed field greens
• 1 bunch green asparagus, grilled then diced into 1-inch long pieces
• 1 sweet white onion, sliced thin
• 1 cup slivered almonds

For the dressing:

Whisk all ingredients except almond oil together. While whisking, slowly drizzle in hazelnut oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside until ready to serve salad.

For the salad:

When ready to serve toss greens, asparagus and vinaigrette together, seasoning with salt and pepper. Place a generous handful on each salad plate, top greens with onions and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

Winter Tailgate Chili

For the Roasted Garlic:

• 12 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Chili:

• 12 shallots, chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 chile peppers (chipotles a re great)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour (gluten free if desired)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 7 cups vegan chicken broth made from vegan chicken bullion
• 4 cups shredded cooked vegan chicken (like Gardein) or cubed pan seared tofu
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 15-ounce can navy beans, undrained
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/3 cupvegan heavy cream ( 1 block of silken tofu (12-ounces) and 1/2 cup of plain soy milk. Blend in blender until thick and creamy and there are no more lumps )
• 1 cup grated vegan mozzarella or Monterrey Jack cheese

Make the roasted garlic: Toss the 12 cloves garlic with the olive oil and 1 teaspoon water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover, leaving a vent, and microwave until soft, about 90 seconds. Let cool, covered.

Prepare the chili: Preheat the broiler. Cook the shallots in the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until caramelized, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, place the chiles on a foil-lined broiler pan and broil until charred on all sides, turning, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Peel the peppers with your fingers or a paring knife. Stem, seed and chop.

Add the minced garlic to the shallots and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until toasted, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add the wine; simmer 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add the roasted chiles, 6 cups broth, the chicken, chili powder, cayenne, beans, and salt and black pepper to taste. Return to a simmer.

Meanwhile, squeeze the soft pulp from the roasted garlic into a blender or food processor. Add the remaining 1 cup broth and process until smooth. Add to the chili and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes, adding the spinach during the last 5 minutes. Add the paprika and cream and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the cheese.

Punter’s Vegan Chicken Pizza

• 3/4 pound vegan chicken breast cutlets (1 package and a half of vegan chicken cutlets)
• Olive oil
• 2 teaspoons grill seasoning
• 1 pizza dough, store bought or from your favorite pizzeria (gluten free if desired)
• Cornmeal or flour, to handle dough
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter
• 1 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce, spice level per your taste
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded vegan mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced olives
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Preheat grill pan to high.

Place chicken on a plate and drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the chicken then season with grill seasoning. When grill is hot, add chicken and cook about 3 minutes on each side.

Stretch dough to form pizza using cornmeal or flour to help you handle it. If you let it rest and warm up a few minutes it will handle even easier. Set pizza on pizza pan to the side and clean board.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in Worcestershire, hot sauce, and tomato sauce.

Remove the chicken from grill and thinly slice it. Add chicken to sauce and coat. Cover the pizza dough with the saucy chicken, cheese, olives and scallions. Bake 18 minutes or until crisp.

Football Cake Pies

• 1 cupsugar
• 1 /2 cup vegan shortening
• 2 egg replacers
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoonsbaking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegan buttermilk ( 1 cup plain soy milk with 1 teaspoon of apple cider or coconut water vinegar, set aside to curdle for at least 15 minutes )
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 pound vegan cream cheese, softened
• 2 sticks vegan butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 baking sheets and set aside.

To make the cake pies, in a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the sugar and 1/2 cup of the shortening. Add 2 egg replacers and mix well.

Onto a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until tester comes out clean, about 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks.

Lay half of the cookies flat on a work surface. Divide the filling among the cookies, spreading out to the edges. Top with the remaining cookies to form sandwich pies. Cover tightly and refrigerate before serving. Pipe remaining icing over top of the pies in the design of football threads.

White Chocolate Maple Brownies

• 10 tablespoons unsalted vegan butter, at room temperature, plus more for the pan
• 1 cup walnut pieces
• 2 cupsall purpose flour (gluten free if desired)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 3 egg replacers, mixed (EnerG is best)
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 6 ounces vegan white chocolate

For the Topping:

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons vegan unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegan heavy cream( 1 block of silken tofu (12-ounces) and 1/2 cup of plain soy milk. Blend in blender until thick and creamy and there are no more lumps )
• Vegan vanilla ice cream, for serving
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces

Brownies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on two sides; butter the foil. Pulse 1/2 cup walnuts in a food processor until almost fine (do not overprocess). Whisk the ground nuts, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

Beat 10 tablespoons butter and thebrown sugar with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg replacers, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the vanilla. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in the white chocolate and the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts.

Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until the brownies are light brown around the edges and spring back when pressed, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly on a rack.

Meanwhile, make the topping: Place the maple syrup and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the mixture bubbles and thickens, swirling the pan, about 6 minutes. Add the cream and continue to cook until the mixture is the consistency of caramel.

Use the foil to lift the blondies out of the pan, then cut into large bars. Serve warm topped with ice cream, the maple sauce and the walnuts.

Technorati Tags: cooking, food, gluten free, healthy, party food, Recipes, Super Bowl, vegan, Vegetarian

READ: Ancient Science for Modern Women by Jaisri M. Lambert

Ayurveda is a collected wisdom of ages and sages, and is extremely relevant to today’s

woman. Ayurveda is, first and foremost, a science of preventative living through the

application of accrued wisdom. Traditionally, women are the first teachers of preventative

living; often, however, modern women do not care for themselves first, even though they

must—for a healthy self, family and community.

 

Physically, digestion is the principle focus of health; psychologically, one’s life

philosophy is the primary focus of health; spiritually, meditation and selfless service are the

primary focus of health. Observing these together produces health and happiness for a

woman and beyond.

 

Transformation through Digestion

“Agni,” (meaning metabolic fire in Sanskrit) implies transformation—the food

transforms into you, the image transforms into a name, the experience transforms into

wisdom. These parallel digestive processes involve heat (tapas), which implies austerity.

Restraint is necessary to choose suitable foods to be eaten at a suitable time. Serve the main

meal at noon and a lighter meal in the evening.

 

Food science in Ayurveda is based on the “Law of the Six Tastes” rather than on the

relationship between proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, which are isolated

food components. Today’s woman would do well to simplify food fads and to move toward

classical concepts of nourishing herself and her family by considering the taste on the tongue

of foods served daily.

 

“Shad rasa” (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent) describes the global effects

of substances at all four stages of digestion. While Western science does not yet discuss the

post-digestive effect of foods, Ayurveda talked about sub-atomic assimilation (the emotional

interface of mind and body) thousands of years ago.

 

The process of eating is meant to both cure and prevent disease. Most disease can be

cured or managed by adjusting the food habits passed down from time immemorial through

mothers and grandmothers, who taught their children good food choices and healthful lifestyle habits to help prevent illness. Herbs to take and observances to remember were

passed down from generation to generation in the kitchen.

 

An experienced Ayurvedic practitioner can offer advice on specific food choices for

individual women and their family members. Herbal supplements may, from time to time,

be needed for unresponsive symptoms to help maintain balance.

 

Thoughtful Nourishment

Ayurvedic medical science is based mostly in the Sankhiya philosophy of creation, as

expounded by the great sage Kapila, who taught that the soul is eternal and takes on various

transiting “coverings” (koshas). These soul coverings include the acculturalization body,

which nourishes itself through mental repetition; the respiratory covering, which nourishes

itself from oxygen in the air (prana); and the physical body, which nourishes itself from daily

food intake.

One’s thoughts are generated by a precipitation of qualitative tendencies and repeated

choices, which in turn generate the secretion of a fluid neuro-transmitter. This

communication then enters the general circulation to nourish and form our bodily tissues.

Qualitative mental influences have a greater impact on well-being than food choices, and

therefore are more important in the prevention and healing of disease. It’s best to maintain

one’s focus on emotional balance. A mother is the first guide to restrain the child from -

potentially harmful practices, and she teaches by example. So, once again, a woman must

care for the self first to best care for others.

 

Resting Meditation

Providing rest to the mind is critical to maintaining mental and emotional equilibrium.

Joy comes from the contentment of everyday satisfactions such as appropriate food,

meaningful work, loving relationships and opportunities to serve in the world.

A woman needs to take time to withdraw from worldly life in order to re-charge and discharge her “batteries,” which can be unduly affected by stress. Taking 20 to 60 minutes daily

in the morning and evening for quiet introspection refreshes the consciousness and restores

creative enthusiasm to the mind. Sit facing east for ease in receptivity to the inner light of

gladness. Sit with the back straight and relax the body deeply, gradually. Focus the attention

in the third eye (located approximately behind and between the eyebrows) and return the focus

there if the mind wanders. Follow the breath until the mind become quiet behind the

root of the eyebrows. Let the mind rest between respiratory phases.

 

Morning meditation supports the day to unfold with grace and alignment, while evening

meditation supports preparation for deep rest and repair of the body’s cells. If you awaken

early in the early morning, sit in meditation, which will to help provide deeper restoration to

your body than will fitful sleep.

 

Seva (Selfless Service)

In Ayurveda, the spiritual priorities used to guide difficult decision-making are:

God/Goddess first, family second and community third. “God” (cultivating love) is first by

giving priority to meditation and the remembrance of our divine nature, according to one’s

personal style and beliefs. Secondly, decisions  are made in favour of the family’s needs.

Ayurvedic teaching is to put oneself in the first position of family, that is, to put one’s own

self-care first. Next in priority is the spouse’s needs, then the parents’ or children’s,

depending on the ages and stages of need, and then other family members.

 

If energy or resources such as time or money remain, up to half can be given away to the

community as selfless service. To give hidden donations with no consideration for return is

meritorious and helps ensure enduring spiritual health and strength. If only one-tenth or

one-fortieth can be spared, this is still very effective in cleansing spiritual imbalances such as

fear or judgment while strengthening faith and tolerance. With loving kindness, such as

volunteering or many daily kind acts for the family or community, happiness, freshness and

creativity return to the mind, heart and body.

 

Once again, it is common for women to take the last place in the priority chain, but

really they need to put themselves first. Only then can excellent care of self and others be

created and sustained.

 

Women and Public Health

Throughout history, women have upheld family and community health. Nowadays, the

responsibilities of women have further increased and stress has grown as a result. However,

practice of the basic principles of food science, herbology and loving kindness is enough to

sustain individual health even in today’s busy lifestyle. Still, the realization of the importance

of self-care is absolute. Taking time to rest while menstruating, for example, is a single

important gesture to make each month for self-care. The consequences of not observing rest during the flow are costly for society. The consequences of hormonal replacement therapy

for birth control and menopause management are also costly for women and their society, as

are the consequences of imbalance, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Ayurveda is a universal science of everyday living, brought to us through an ancient oral

tradition of living principles of ancient wisdom. Living includes eating, sleeping, thinking,

relating, working and, indeed, all of life. When a woman accepts that her life is of the utmost

importance, the balance and health that results benefits not only her but those she loves as

well.

Jaisri M. Lambert has studied and taught Ayurveda since 1990. See the HANS “Calendar

of Events” at http://www.hans.org for her upcoming lectures, classes and appearances.

Jaisri can be reached at (604) 290-8201 (Canada) or (408) 378-2880 (US).

Her website is http://ayurveda-seminars.com

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The Ayurvedic Cleansing Secret

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Detox Using Yoga and Ayurveda

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Technorati Tags: Ancient Wisdom, ayurveda, inspiration, Jaisri M. Lambert, natural health, vivid life, wellness, Womens health

READ: Miami Twice: Miami Healthy Dining Hot Spots Part 2 by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton

I’m super delighted to be able to report back on even more Miami deliciousness! While there are lots of things to do in Miami it is an absolute must to save time to dine on the local fare. It’s super cool at how many places have popped up over the last few years that are not only accommodating to special diets but are also incredibly delicious. So whether you are looking to partake in some Miami sightseeing toursor just passin’ through, make it a point to check out the rest of the fave spots that I was lucky enough to get my grub on at!

There’s nothing like a romantic Italian meal but an organic Italian meal takes the cake! EscoPazzo is THE premiere organic Italian locale in Miami to get healthy, delicious food. And what’s even cooler is that they have vegan and raw vegan menu items!!! Yum!! No matter who you may be struttin’ down South beach with, you can all enjoy a world class meal at Escopazzo. My personal favorites are the tomato and avocado tartar with pickled watermelon and micro mustard greens as well the vegetable lasagna with cashew cheese. OMG!

I had the good fortune of being able to do my first book signing of my cookbook, The Healthy Voyager’s Global Kitchen, at Books & Books on Lincoln Road. Just before the signing, I dined with the chef at the Cafe at Books and Books. Chef Bernie is not only a hoot, and a fellow healthy Latino, he is a gifted chef as well. the vegan items at the cafe are fantastic! Full of the flavors of Miami, and my childhood, the veggie dishes are pure bliss. Using lots of grains, legumes and veggies, it’s pure, clean food with the tastes of Latin America. The carrot cake with mango sauce is a great twist, his quinoa and vegetable bowl is delish and there us even a mock chicken curry sandwich on the menu. Yumm!! Eat first, shop second!! Books and Books is a great place to spend an afternoon ; )

If you’re looking for a kick ass bar with healthy vegan food, The Lost and Found Saloon is the place for you. With it’s fun western theme, you might be surprised to find vegan friendly dishes there, let alone healthy ones. Not your usual bar food, Lost and Found does it up right. Their signature salad chock full of fresh greens, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, avocado, eggplant portobello mushrooms and topped with pepita encrusted tofu is enough to show you that this ain’t your traditional bar menu. And the list goes on! Chipotle black bean burgers, seasonal veggie plates, chipotle tofu melt, pinon and pepita encrusted tofu over saffron rice…Insanity! So much fun, so much yum, you gotta bring all your friends (veg or not) to get lost and found asap!

Fast food is gross so Evos has come to the rescue. Boasting their fresh real fruit smoothies, air baked fries and healthier options for traditional burgers, it’s much easier for folks to make the switch. with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, you too can enjoy an American classic meal of burgers, fries and a shake without the fat and guilt. Eco-friendly and cool, even their flavored ketchup rock! I fell in love with my thai vegan wrap and air fries dunked in garlic ketchup, mmmmm! Take that McD’s!

Just north of Miami and south of Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll find Hollywood. Home to Sara’s Kosher Vegetarian and L’Chaim Chinese restaurants. Owned and operated by a lovely couple, both restaurants are completely kosher and offer great veggie food. Sara’s is usually my first stop when i am home visiting as I crave their vegan Cuban sandwich all year long. at Sara’s, they’ve got it all from pizza, sandwiches, soup, salads and full entrees, all easily (and happily) veganizable. next door at L’Chaim Chinese, you can get vegan avocado spring rolls, veggie lettuce cups and basically anything on the menu made with tofu. So no matter what you’re in the mood for, Sara’s and L’Chaim have your cravings covered!

So that’s a wrap on Miami for now but it looks like the healthy spots are growing so I’ll be back to fill you in soon! Happy healthy trails!

Technorati Tags: cafe at books and books miami beach, chef bernie matz, dining, escopazzo, evos, Florida, food, Ft. Lauderdale, gluten free, healthy, l'chaim chinese, lost and found saloon, Miami, raw, restaurants, sara's kosher vegetarian, travel, vegan, Vegetarian

RECIPE: Raw Zucchini Pesto Pasta by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton

Looking to get all the flavor and satisfaction from your favorite pasta but looking to cut out the calories and starch? Eat all the pasta you want with this raw zucchini pasta! It’s easy, colorful, full of flavor and best of all, mega healthy! Leave the guilt behind and indulge in this yummalicious new way to make an Italian fave!

• 2-3 medium zucchinis – slice into fettuccine noodles with a vegetable peeler or mandolin. If you have a spiral vegetable cutter, it will make beautiful spaghetti noodles!
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/4 cup raw pine nuts
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves raw garlic
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or grated pumpkin seeds

Blend all ingredients, except for the zucchini, in a food processor until smooth. Scoop zucchini pasta into bowls and top with pesto sauce.

Add in vegetables of choice to add flavor, color and texture such as olives, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, artichoke and  colorful peppers.

Technorati Tags: cooking, healthy, kitchen, light, Pesto Raw Zucchini Pasta Primavera, quick, raw, recipe, vegan

READ: Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar with Brigitte Mars

With many people lacking health and its insurance we can remember ancient folk wisdom that served our ancestors! Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, used apple cider vinegar as an internal cleansing agent. Before refrigerators, vinegar was used as a food preservative.

The word vinegar is from the French, vin aigre or “sour wine.” Apple cider vinegar prepared by the fermentation of apple cider and allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels. During fermentation, sugar present in apple cider, is broken down by bacteria, and yeast breaks down alcohol to form vinegar. If vinegar appeals to you, make sure it is raw, and unpasteurized. Commercially distilled vinegars lack enzymes and minerals destroyed during the distillation. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful antibacterial agent. The alkalinity of apple cider vinegar can correct excess acidity in the system and help prevent infection. It also provides a plethora of anti-inflammatory enzymes and minerals such as potassium.

Apple cider vinegar can be mixed with sea salt and gently applied to a sprained area. Ringworm, nail fungus, bunions, corns, calluses, warts, shingles, boil, ant, black fly, mosquito bites, wasp, bee stings and even poison ivy all benefit from applications of apple cider vinegar. (Making a paste with equal parts baking soda and apple cider vinegar is used just as often.)

For a bloody nose, apply a compress of two teaspoons apple cider vinegar one a cup of cool water to the base of the neck and to the top of the nose to help constrict blood vessels.

Lice and bed bugs are repelled by apple cider vinegar and when combined with essential oils of tea tree, rosemary, lavender, and peppermint are made into a spay for the hair and bedding.

Many digestive ailments are improved by apple cider vinegar. Vinegar increases the metabolic rate promoting weight loss, corrects constipation and improves digestion.

Heartburn: Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water and sip slowly for heartburn.

Indigestion, nausea and motion sickness improve with drinking two teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and raw honey in a glass of warm water daily for its pH balancing effect.

Food Poisoning: Mix a tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and raw honey in warm water and sip to deter the replication of unfriendly microorganisms, and replenish the body with depleted minerals.

The traditional remedy of teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey helps in curbing allergies, arthritis and mastitis in humans and animals.

Bladder Infection: Using one half teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar raw honey in a glass of warm water helps to acidify the urine and prevent bacterial growth, which in some cases can contribute to incontinence.

Drink two teaspoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey in a cup of hot water three times daily to break up mucus congestion and cough. Have a glass by the bed and take a couple of swallows if you wake up coughing.

Bleeding hemorrhoids and hypertension will improve if you take two teaspoonfuls of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at every meal.

The acids in apple cider vinegar can help dissolve kidney stones. Drink 2 teaspoons daily in a cup of hot water. Frequent gargling with two tablespoons apple cider vinegar in water brings relief and inhibits bacteria and viruses causing sore throats.

Vinegar helps draw pollutants out of the body and balances the skin’s pH.

After cleansing the face, apply a cotton ball soaked in equal parts apple cider vinegar and water to restore the skin’s proper pH and prevent and treat acne.

Include it in a rinse for an antifungal anti dandruff scalp treatment.

Use one cup in the bathtub to relieve sore muscles, itchy skin, candida, poison ivy, and sunburn. To ease the discomfort of shingles and varicose veins apply apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area three to four times daily.

If you launder your own cloth diapers, add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to the final rinse water. This will make them softer for your baby’s skin and prevent diaper rash.

Drink a teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar in water three times daily before each meal to improve memory and increases the stamina.

For more information, please check out my latest book: The Country Almanac of Home Remedies.

Herbal Heart Health, February 23, 6:30-8 pm, Learn to use food, herbs and essential oils for heart health, circulation, blood pressure and cholesterol health. Rebecca’s Apothecary 1227 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado 80302, 303 443-8878, www.rebeccasherbs.com,  $30

Addiction Free Naturally, April 3, 11-2pm, Studio Shakta, 773 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80402, 303 963-5306, www.studioshakta.com,  $45

Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and nutritional consultant with over forty years experience. She is the author of Beauty by Nature, Rawsome!, The Sexual Herbal, Addiction Free Naturally, Healing Herbal Teas, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, and co-author of The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, and The Hemp Nut Health and Cookbook. Brigitte has had a radio show on KGNU called Naturally for over twenty years. She is a professional member of The American Herbalist Guild. Ms. Mars teaches at Naropa University, Boulder College of Massage, Omega Institute, Kripalu, and Bauman College of Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts. Brigitte is a blogger for The Huffington Post and Care2. www.brigittemars.com, 303 442-4967, brigitte@indra.com

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Healthy Soups and Supers in San Diego by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton

Whether you are doing a tour of California for a little r and r or frequently travel San Diego for ComicCon, the southernmost metropolis of California, is a great place to visit. Beachy, relaxed and beautiful, healthy food is easy to find in this bayside border town. From my first San Diego postmany years ago until now, lots of great stuff has popped up so I’ve decided to go back and check out some of the new places in and around town.

Happy People Healthy Food by Adrienne Kelly-Durys

Can healthy food make you happy? Or, can happy people make the foods we eat healthier?When I think about these questions in relation to the upcoming holiday season,it seems obvious that eating steamed veggies over brown rice, although healthy, wouldn’t be as festive as a big holiday dinner with all the fixings. But what if that same big holiday dinner, with all the potatoes and gravy, when prepared with love and positive intention could be just as nourishing?

 

Technorati Tags: Apple Cider Vinegar, Brigitte Mars, Cold Remedies, Health & Well-being, Holistic Living, inspiration, natural foods, Natural Nutrition, natural remedies, vivid life

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