Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

I just bought 2 huge Dragon Fruits!  And thought I would share this article again!

Have you ever wondered what a dragon fruit looked like in the inside? Perhaps you have not wanted to buy one, cause you were unsure if it was worth it?  


Dragon Fruit is definitely worth a try!  It is so easy to prepare...just cut in half and scoop out the insides with a spoon.  Cut into chunks!  The little black seeds are similar to the kiwi seeds.  The fruit has a pleasant flavor, not to sweet.  And it is so healthy for you!  Your kids will love it!

A Few Dragon Fruit Facts

• Dragon Fruit is a good source of Vitamin C.
• Dragon Fruit are rich in fiber and minerals, notably phosphorus and calcium. 
• The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• Dragon Fruit also contain significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.
• Dragon Fruit increases excretion of heavy metal toxins and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Eaten regularly, it is credited with alleviating chronic respiratory tract ailments.

7 Bone Health Facts (Guest Post)

Flaunting that killing look all through the year will never be a possibility if you do not take care of your health. After all, good health is fundamental to looking beautiful.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common diseases faced by aging women nowadays, though men may also have it is found to be more rampant in women. Though this bone disease affects older people, it is what your diet that you take when you are young that determines your future.

Begin eating foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium to ensure that you age only externally with no signs of this dreaded disease. Be physically active and be informed. Read on to know more facts about osteoporosis that you may not have known before.

1. When you reach your 30s, you bones begin to lose density. The process is slow but gains momentum when you reach menopause. Your life from 30s to 60s will see a rapid loss in bone mass and will slow down again after you reach the ripe age of 60.
2. However, you can prevent this loss by eating food rich in Vitamin D and Calcium. Milk, soybean and green leafy vegetables are good sources of these. Remember that though you need calcium for strong bones, you body will not be able to absorb it unless it gets a supply of Vitamin D. Maintain an optimum body weight and good health.
3. Though loss of bone mass decreases after 60, your body needs a lot of Vitamin D after 70. You can get this from Vitamin D supplements and sunshine.
4. In women, irregular periods are one of the major causes of osteoporosis. This can happen in younger women too. Therefore, if you have irregular periods, get treatment immediately for a healthy future.
5. Being physically active is another way to keep your bones stronger. Include brisk walking and other exercises in your life.
6. It is a common belief that osteoporosis is a part of the aging process but this is a myth. If you lead a healthy lifestyle when you are young, you can prevent this disease. Avoid alcohol, take a healthy diet and include vitamin D and Calcium, make exercise a part of your life and get a lot of sunshine for strong bones. You will surely beat the disease.
7. It is the loss of bone mass that makes older women look as if they are shrinking. The human body cannot shrink but reduction in bone density can make you look tiny and as if you will collapse anytime.

Osteoporosis affects bone density and the bones can crack or break any time. When it begins to heal, you must take precautions to ensure that the healing is complete. A little care will go a long way in ensuring a strong future.

Brenda Lyttle is a health expert who began writing for publications in her community in 2005 and now commands an authority in writing on healthy living, fitness, and anti-aging related topics. She is also a strong believer of the goodness of 

a popular HGH supplement, but insists that exercising can never be replaced by any supplement whatsoever

.

11th Share - EXTRA Tomatoes!

 Today's 11th share came with extra tomatoes!  I am thinking tomato sauce, salsa, roasted tomatoes, and a bunch of tomato sandwiches!
See the rest of the share below!

• Corn
• Beets
• Beans
• Eggplant
• Carrots 
• Zuchinni
• Cucumber 
• Red Onion
• Patty Pan Squash
• Jalapeno's
• Peppers
• Rutabaga

CSA Shares!

So blogger is being annoying(pics out of order, side ways)...but here are the pics of some of my summer shares from our CSA.  

I missed taking a pic of my 8th share. 

We are loving our CSA!  It did start out a bit small but now we are getting so much produce!  The kids are eating it up so quick!  I should tell you that our shares are half shares meant for 3-4 people.  Next year I think we may consider upgrading to a full share 5-6 people.     

10th Share

7th Share
Designed by my daughter

6th share

9th share

5th CSA Share

Here is Kaitie with our 5th farm share!

A basket full of fresh organic produce!

This share included

Peas

Beans

Kale

Swiss Chard

Cucumber

Herb bouquet

Why does blogger turn my pics sometime?

The 100 Mile Diet: How to Get Local (or At Least Come Close!) -Guest Post

Buying locally benefits the local economy while improving the environment by enriching soil, protecting water quality as well as air quality, and minimizing energy consumption. Local farms are also inherently preserving land while using less packaging that cannot be reused or recycled. The reasons to eat local in your meal planning never end!

So why do people still emphasize buying organic? Buying organic assures that your food has been produced without using most pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Some people feel hesitant to buy local food because most local farmers cannot afford the time-consuming and costly organic certification. However, you can still ask famers whether or not your food is organic by the certification standards by inquiring what types of pesticides or fertilizers they use. You can eat organic and local simultaneously.

Additionally, eating local is time consuming and sometimes difficult. Some people just don’t feel up the the challenge. However, there are some ways that you can eat local, even if you can’t become a full-fledged “locavore.”

For example, you can make sure you can purchase by the season to minimize your food’s travel time. There are tons of websites, such as Smart Living, that provide charts and lists of foods that are in season in your area. Print these out, put them on the fridge, and shop by the season.

You can also try buying from a local food producer, like a butcher or bakery. Instead of buying that loaf of bread in the aisles of the grocery store, pick it up from your local bakery.

Don’t hesitate to go local from home, either. Planting some herbs like basil and rosemary is a little effort that can go a long way. If you have a green thumb, you could try your hand at planting some berries or vegetables too.

But let’s face it -- not everyone has the time or resources to go all local. If you can’t go local, think regionally or for items produced in the United States. Get as close to home as you can. When shopping for ingredients that you can’t get in the United States, look for Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certification. Fair trade guarantees that farmers receive a fair price for their product, work directly with buyers, and prioritize sustainable farming methods without harmful pesticides or child labor. Rainforest Alliance guarantees that products are grown with environmentally responsible management practices including integrated pest and disease management, soil and water conservation. Workers are fairly compensated for their work through this certification.

Going local means become more aware of the environment and paying close attention where your food comes from. By doing so, you get fresher food to your table and help the environment. It’s a win-win.

James Kim is a writer for foodonthetable.com.  Food on the Table is a company that provides online budget meal planning services.  Their goal is to help families eat better and save money.

4th CSA Share

Kale, cabbage, rainbow swiss chard, herb bouquet, parsley, strawberries, radishes, and green onions.

3rd CSA Share!

This weeks share is a bigger one!  

• butter lettuce
• romaine lettuce
• rainbow chard
• kale
• broccoli
• cabbage
• strawberries
• thyme
• green onion
• lemon basil

10 Items!  
Now what to make with it all!  The strawberries were a big surprise!  I just bought some strawberries this morning.  So I have so many to use.  I am thinking a nice strawberry salad tonight.  
Does anyone have any fresh cabbage, chard, or kale recipes to share?  


We are having so much fun with our CSA! 

2nd CSA Produce Box

This weeks produce box contains Kale, Rainbow Swiss Chard, Green Onions, Radishes, Basil, and Lettuce!
(The pic is sideways because of blogger...does anyone else have this problem?)

I used the Basil to make pesto.
The Kale into chips!
Swiss Chard I sautéed with garlic and onions.
Green Onions and Radishes are being thrown into all my salads!

I had a question about what to do with so many green onions last week.  I don't get enough to do any bigger recipes.  But if I did...I would make yummy onion rolls!   What do you do with all you green onions?

Fresh from the garden to my front door! My 1st CSA Share!

Yesterday my first produce box arrived at my door!  It is a bit small, but my farmer assures me that it will get bigger as produce grows.  So I have lettuce, Kale, cilantro, rhubarb, and some green onions!  Yummy!  

How my CSA works
I give my farmer a set fee prior to the start of the season.  This cover the costs of the farm operation. 
There are risks due to weather and other factors out of the control of my farmer, which are are shared by everyone in the CSA community.

Why I like my CSA

I love that I support my local farmer and the personal contact with that our farmer provides us with the opportunity to ask questions about the practices the farmer uses and to visit the farm to see how it all works!
I get fresh organic produce every week delivered to my door!  
The quality of locally organically grown fresh produce.  Yummy!
The cost(if it is a good year) is way cheaper then buying from the grocery store! 


Local Food Makes Sense!
Exceptional taste and freshness - Local food is fresher and tastes better than food picked before ripening that has been shipped thousands of miles.

It strengthens your local economy - Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community.

Health benefits for the entire family - No lost nutrients compared to grocery store bought foods. 

Protects the environment - Local food doesn't travel far, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transportation lines and packing crates.Organic methods benefit the soil, air, water, wildlife and people in the farm ecosystem

Now, what to make?  Does anyone have any good rhubarb recipes?

Warning! Do not lick your Food Processor Blade! Raw Ice Cream

Now I was always the one who scooped out the ice cream...You know with the metal scoop...and when finished the first thing I would is give the scoop a lick.  Ouch not to smart right.  So then I tried short licks...and well I always got that ice cream off!  Now please when you make your raw ice cream I beg you not to lick the food processor blade....Even though it looks so tasty...and I know you hate to waste that little bit....But really it is not worth cutting your tongue for.  I tell you it was so hard for me not to lick the blade  :)


I have seen recipes for raw ice cream before, and I have been wanting to make my own...so I have been looking for an affordable ice cream maker.  Yesterday I saw this Happy Herbivore recipe here.  And I was like..."hey I can do that!"  And I had everything I needed!  So today I made raw ice cream!  This what I did!


Raw Ice Cream for one!

1 frozen Banana
1/4 cup Almond Milk 
1 Dried Fig (that I soaked the day before)
1/4 tsp Organic Cocoa


Throw all in your food processor(blender may work as well) And whirl until it looks like soft serve ice cream!
Enjoy your ice cream right away!  (this bowl started melting on me cause I was running all over the house trying to find the card for the camera!!!)


I think this recipe would do amazing with home made coconut milk...and I am going to have fun making different flavours this summer!

WMWW - JUNE - Taking a break

Hi Everyone,

I have found that I don't have as much time to be an active blogger.  So I am taking a break from wmww till the fall.  The May linky is still open so feel free to link up if you have a post...and visit and support everyone who has participated!  That is why I created this meme  :)  To support each other.

I still will be posting healthy recipes this summer!  I have joined a CSA and expect a lot  of produce which to experiment with!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Chickpea Enchillada!

My family loves this recipe!   So much so that they requested me to make it tonight.  I love this recipe as it is so easy to make!  And of course I just use what I have on hand.  I also made my homemade tortilla's, and homemade salsa.  So yummy!!!!

2 cups                chickpeas(soaked and cooked as recommended) Today I am going to use my sprouted chickpeas!
1 cup                  salsa

1/2 cup               cottage cheese I have no cottage cheese in the fridge so I am going to use cheddar and add lot of add ins!

Add ins               onion, peppers, jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, corn, black beans, garlic, spices. what ever you have on hand or like!
1 1/2 cups           salsa
3/4 cup               shredded cheese
6                        tortilla's

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl mash chickpeas, mix with salsa, cheese, and any add ins.
3. Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas. Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover with salsa sauce and 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
4. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Best served with fresh guacamole, and a nice garden salad.

If you are looking for more Chickpea recipes click here!

Black Bean Quesadilla!

Tonight's Dinner!

This one of our favorite meatless meals!  I have share this yummy recipe before...but it is so good I thought I would share again! 

 

Prep all ingredients.

• tomato diced
• green onion sliced
• soft cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
• frozen corn
• jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
• shredded marble cheddar cheese

Arrange ingredients in separate bowl and let you family members load up there own tortilla's!  When they are done, fold in half, and bake till cheese is melted and tortilla crisp!

So simple! So yummy!  No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!

I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!  
Let me know, what do you like in yours!

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday All!

I have had a busy few weeks!  Right now I am really trying to get more "raw" foods in my families diet.  So I have been busy peeling and chopping fresh produce to add to all our meals!

I also have been sprouting lots of beans.  So yummy!

I want to share a great book I found recently from the library!
Hooked On Raw

by Rhio

Hooked on Raw, is a "cook"book full of raw recipes. Also full of info about health-related issues, such as bringing wild foods and organic foods into your diet, soil fertility, food irradiation, genetic engineering of seeds/plants, hybridization of seeds, fasting, rejuvenation and much, much more.  I found it very informative and easy to read!  I love the recipes and will share some of them soon!

______________________________________

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

Last week was a great week!  

Check out these great posts linked up last week!

I love this post that Julie linked up!  Titled Satisfaction


"I have reached the NEW ME!!! I am SATISFIED with the new me. I am loving all that I can do. Now I’ll tweak it a bit and end up even better, healthier and full of smiles."


Your awesome Julie!  You inspire us all!






Adena also linked up this post Monthly Measure/Weigh-In

She has achieved so much!  Give her a visit and show your support!

______________________________________

Mid-Eastern Mushroom and Sprouted Chick Pea Couscous

Mid-Eastern Mushroom and Chick Pea Couscous

Modified from recipe on canadianparents.com

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth            
• ½ tsp Each ground cumin and ground coriander    
• ¼ tsp hot red pepper flakes      
• 1 tbsp grated fresh gingerroot            
• 2 cloves garlic, minced   (I used about 5)             
• sliced fresh Mushrooms            
• sliced carrots                    
• 1 onion, chopped (I used green onion to sprinkle on top)               
• 1 cup whole wheat couscous        
• 1 cup sweet red pepper, chopped            
• 1-2 cups sprouted chickpeas   
• ½ cup raisins                        
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro         

Directions

1. In large saucepan combine broth, cumin, coriander, hot pepper flakes, gingerroot and garlic; bring to boil.

2. Add mushrooms, carrots and onion and cook covered over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender.

3. Meanwhile, place couscous in a medium bowl and pour 1cup boiling water over it; cover and let stand for 5 minutes.

4. Add red pepper, chickpeas and raisins to the mushroom mixture; continue to cook 2-3 minutes or until hot.

5. Sprinkle with cilantro

6. Fluff couscous with a fork and spoon into individual serving dishes; top with vegetable mixture including broth. 

5 Question Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!  I have not done one of these in awhile.   

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?

All the yucky snow melting and being washed away...I still have some in my flower beds.  I just love watching spring flowers popping up beneath the soil to brighten the day!

2. What was your best birthday ever?

Would have to be my 19th Birthday!  My boyfriend(now my husband)surprised me with a limo and took me bar hopping! (Drinking age is 19 in Canada)  It was the best surprise!  But not best surprise ever...My hubby keeps surprising me all the time!  Love you Jason xoxoxox

3. What is your favorite dessert?

Hmmmm...This one is tough.  I really don't like desserts...I know strange.  I will eat one if there is one offered.  But I won't go out of my way to make one unless it is for somebody else like birthday cakes and sometime company.  But I do love a piece of dark chocolate with a nice red wine!  One of our at home date night treats!

4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?

You can get out of tickets???  

5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times?

Depends on how tired I am.  Today was with the alarm..this is my preferred method of waking up!  I hate waking up before the alarm, I need all the rest I can 

get...you know beauty sleep and all that  :)

Joining in the fun with 5QF

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

I want to thank everyone for joining in with this blog hop and linking some fabulous posts!

During March Melissa from Change is Inevitable has been posting some great Healthy Swaps recipes!  She has been finding some healthy swaps for fries, onion rings, pizza, and some yummy desserts!  You need to check them out!

Rochelle from The Pretend Chef has been posting about her journey on the Flat Belly Diet!

You should definitely give her a visit to cheer her on!

______________________________________

The Ultimate Blog Party!

Woo Hoo!  It is that time again!  Party Time!

One of my favorite sites, run by twin sisters, Susan and Janice are hosting  The Ultimate Blog Party!!! Not only is it great fun, and a chance to win some pretty terrific prizes, it’s also a great way to get to meet some new mom bloggers.

Let me just take a moment before we get to the fun stuff to introduce myself.  I’m Angie, a mom with 2 beautiful kids, Kaitie 13, and Andrew 10. I am married to the man of my dreams!   I love him more today than the day I first fell in love with him.  Well, enough about me, let the party begin!!! 

This is my blog, where I share healthy recipes and weight-loss tips!  So welcome to my little home on the blogosphere and please take a look around, and don't forget to tell me a little about yourself so we can get to know each other!  

Now to the food!  Would you like to try a...

Black Bean Burger! 

or for the kids how about a Banana Cracker!

Perhaps some yummy Waldorf Salad

I’d love to get know my fellow bloggers! How about a few questions…

What’s your favorite thing to do?

What is your favorite meal?

What was the last thing you ate?

Why is the sky blue?

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

______________________________________

Sweet Potato Steaks!

My daughter and I love our sweet potatoes!  Our favorite dish is baked sweet potato wedges!  We decided to try something new and something I never saw before.

Sweet Potato Steaks

• 2-3 Sweet potatoes cut in rounds
• 3 tbls Dijon Mustard
• 2 tbls Olive oil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp seasoning (we used red pepper flakes)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350
2. Cut potatoes
3. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and coat Sweet potato rounds
4. Bake until tender 30-45 mins.

These were so yummy!  We will definitely do this recipe again!  I had lots of extra topping cause I only did 2 sweet potatoes so measurements should be fine for 3 longish potatoes.

Enjoy!

Urgent radiation preparedness action items for California, Oregon, Washington, B.C., Yukon and Alaska

( www.NaturalNews.com ) - please forward

The New York Times report that a radiation plume will reach California by Friday has a lot of people asking us for more information about what to do. (Seehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/17plume.html?_r=1)


Fortunately, the amount of radiation that would actually fall on California (or Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, etc.) is currently very small. Too small to pose a serious health risk for right now.
The time to get really concerned is if -- and only if -- the Fukushima reactors suffer a fuel rod "meltdown" event which would release a massive amount of radiation into the atmosphere. The United Nations has calculated that such an event would send a cloud of very powerful radiation headed eastward, arriving on the shores of the United States and Canada within 2-3 days after the meltdown, depending on wind patterns.
Importantly, this will give you some time to take action should such an event occur. The next 24 - 48 hours are crucial in Japan's effort to stop the nuclear fuel rod meltdown. It is entirely unknown whether Japan can succeed in stopping it. The situation remains dire.


If you live in the western states or provinces of North America, it is extremely important to be prepared by taking the following actions RIGHT NOW:


1) Fuel up your vehicle(s) and be ready to hit the road for a possible evacuation (or hunker down if you're out in the country and feel like you would be safer there).
2) If you plan to stay put, go to the hardware store TODAY and buy large amounts of plastic and duct tape to seal up your windows and doors. This will help protect you from radioactive fallout. You will also need to store water, food, and all the usual emergency supplies because outside help probably won't be available.
3) If you plan to evacuate, have a "Go Bag" ready to go at a moment's notice. This go bag should include a water filter, emergency radio, flashlight, duct tape, emergency knife, spare cash, whatever medical supplies you might need, extra food and water, spare fuel cans and so on. Have it ready now in case you need it.
4) Significantly increase your intake of iodine-containing foods and superfoods starting right now: Seaweeds are a great source. We've listed our entire inventory of what we have available at our store (http://www.naturalnews.com/031730_iodine_radiation_poisoning.html), but I would actually prefer you to go out and get this locally TODAY at your local health food stores, where possible. You may not have time to wait on a UPS delivery. Fortunately, our store ships from Ojai, California, meaning that if you order foods from us today that are in stock, and you're in California, you could receive them very, very quickly (within 1-2 business days).
5) If you have potassium iodide pills (radiation pills), don't take them yet. Keep them ready to take if and only if a meltdown event occurs and a massive dose of radiation has been released into the atmosphere.
6) Have a plan for you and your family. Where will you meet if you need to evacuate? Don't count on cell phones working. Have a plan of where to go, how to get there and how to survive once you get there.


Hopefully none of this will be necessary. If they can stop the meltdown at Fukushima, there is virtually no real radiation risk in North America. That's the outcome we're all hoping and praying for.
But if a meltdown takes place, it is almost certain that strong winds will push a massive radiation cloud right into North America within a matter of days, potentially dropping a highly dangerous amount of radioactive material on California or other regions. That's the scenario that we all need to be prepared to guard against.


Do not rely on your government to tell you the truth about what's happening. Governments are in the business of "preventing panic" by withholding information you need to know. Governments believe that if too many people know the truth, it might start a panic, and even more people could die in the panic than from the event itself. They may actually be correct at some level on that, but I believe that people have a right to know what's really going on. And the sober, shocking truth of the matter is that as of right now, our world is facing an unprecedented nuclear meltdown event that could dwarf the Chernobyl catastrophe of 1987. We're talking about as many as 600,000 spent fuel rods which are now threatened by fires and loss of cooling fluids. This is not a set of circumstances to be taken lightly.


I urge all NaturalNews readers to take this seriously. Get prepared now. Get your go bag ready just in case. Start boosting your natural iodine intake TODAY. Be ready to head out of Dodge if you're in a geographic area that could be impacted. And then watch the news on this to stay informed (and read NaturalNews for an honest analysis of the situation).


Another thing: If a meltdown does occur and an evacuation is announced for parts of the west coast of North America, you will need to be one of the first to head out if you expect to get out at all. The highways around Los Angeles in particular do not have the capacity to handle a mass evacuation. They barely have the capacity to handle rush hour! Imagine what happens if half the people in L.A. try to leave all at the same time... that will be a week-long traffic jam, and people will run out of gas on the highways, abandon their vehicles, and make the highways impassable.


I don't mean to paint this as a worst-case scenario, but I'm trying to give you an accurate description of what might realistically happen if a radiation cloud is headed toward LA and an evacuation effort is announced. If you aren't out of LA by the time the government announces an evacuation, you're probably too late.
This is actually a good time to own a Prius because a Prius can idle without the engine running and use virtually no gas. A Prius is a great getaway vehicle for jammed evacuation highways where traffic is barely moving.


Be safe and be smart about all this. Think ahead. Get real about what might unfold if a meltdown occurs. This is a time to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming and start thinking seriously about what you can do to protect yourself and your family. It's better to be prepared than to be caught by the unexpected.


We are lucky in one sense right now because we have forewarning of all this. There is time right now to take preparedness steps to deal with a meltdown event should one occur. I strongly advise all NaturalNews readers to use this time wisely and get squared away for what might be coming.
Watch NaturalNews.com for more updates throughout the day. We'll be posting stories at an increased frequency during this Fukushima catastrophe to help bring people information more rapidly.

Thank you and stay safe,
- Mike Adams, the Health Ranger