An Edible Wedding Bouquet

Yesterday was Farmer's Market day. Upon looking over a variety of scrumptious-looking fresh produce, one vendor had some remarkable broccoli for sale.

Store-bought broccoli has nothing over this organic, local farm grown jewel. The bunch was asymmetrical. It was a beautiful shade of dark green. There were no blemishes or discolorations. The stalk was very fresh and HUGE. All in all, it was quite a pleasant sight to see. There was no smell of chemicals. 

 

While checking out the broccoli, I picked up one bunch and was amazed at its natural beauty. “This needs to be a wedding bouquet”, was my comment to another veggie-lovin' customer. Wouldn't that be cool? 

An edible wedding bouquet. Instead of throwing away the typical flowers, you could take a picture of the nutrient-rich bouquet. Then, steam it up for your dinner. That's what I call recycling.

Find interesting? Kindly share...

Bountiful Barley

This issue’s featured grain is the often pidgeon-holed barley. Usually, we think of barley as belonging in soups or stews. Even though it can be excellent used this way, it is much more versatile than those two uses. Let us learn more about this diversified grain.

With a history dating back to Asia thousands of years ago, barley was also known for its medicinal purposes in Egypt and Greece. It is believed to have been brought to the United States during Christopher Columbus’s journey to the New World. Currently barley is the one of the top five grains produced in our country with uses ranging from feed for animals to malt beverages for human consumption. 

 

And, according to various reputable sources, about 1% of its production is used for food consumption by us humans. A very small percentage, indeed, for the powerhouse of nutrients it provides us with. The Pacific Northwest proudly is one of the two largest producers of this grain cereal, along with the Northern Plains states.

Nutritionally, barley contains several vitamins and minerals including niacin (vitamin B3), thiamine (vitamin B1), selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and copper. It also is high in antioxidants which are shown to be important for good health. Another added benefit is the fact that barley contains phytoestrogens, a plant based estrogen.

Studies have recently revealed the fact that phytochemicals may decrease the risk for certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. More research, however, is needed before anything about phytochemicals can be finalized. In addition, barley is known to be cholesterol free and low in fat.

Barley is a unique high fiber grain when compared to other grains. When most grains are processed, the outer layer (or bran) is removed thereby removing the majority of the fiber content. Barley, on the other hand, has fiber throughout the kernel. This means that even with processing, barley will have at least 50% more fiber than its counterparts. As with any grain, fiber fills us up and helps us to lose weight since we are not as hungry as when eating ‘empty calories’.

To cook barley, use three parts liquid to one part grain. (Three cups water to one cup pearl barley, i.e.)

Start enjoying the wonders of barley today!

Find interesting? Kindly share...Thanks!

Marie Buckner, owner of My Unique Cookery, has over 20 years experience in natural foods education and is a published author, speaker, and instructor. She has a series of cookbooks involving grains, fruit sweeteners, soyfoods, baby foods, and organic cooking. She currently teaches cooking classes at the Port Townsend Co-Op. Sign up for a class today!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

It's that time of year when we need to stop and give thanks for everything we have. It's a great idea to do it on a daily basis, but if you do not want to do that, Thanksgiving is the perfect time.

I am thankful for my love of food, exploring what's available, playing with it in the kitchen (developing recipes and tasty combinations) and being able to share with others.

I also am thankful for the opportunity to operate this blog and keep in touch with everyone who visits it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have writing it.

With such a bounty of tasty foods to choose from, take some time to put conventions aside. You never know what works until you try it. :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Colorful & Nutritious Beet Soup

Beets are the way to go if you want naturally colorful food that supplies a powerhouse of nutrients. In addition to making the greens into a salad, you can use the bulb in a variety of creative ways. Roasted, steamed, baked, boiled, or freshly grated, all provide excellent ways to enjoy this sweet and succulent veggie.

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and tasty way to enjoy these delectable root vegetables, consider making a batch of some homemade soup. While being short on time in the kitchen the other day, I conveniently and quickly put a variety of fresh veggies into a pot and came out with this welcoming dish....Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

8 cups water
1 large beet root, peeled and cut
1 small onion, cut
1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
1-2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1 small stalk broccoli, peeled and sliced
1 cup cabbage, sliced
1 garlic clove, diced or 1 T minced garlic
1 T Italian seasoning

Add water to large dutch oven or stock pot. Add remaining ingredients. Put pan onto stovetop burner. Cook at medium temperature until all veggies are poked done with a fork or knive. Stir to evenly distribute ingredients throughout cooking span. Reduce heat if ingredients begin to boil over. 

Serve with wholegrain crackers or bread. 

Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator. 

Find interesting? Kindly share...


 

An Easy & Tasty Gluten-Free Tuna Pasta Salad

Hi everyone! The summer months are here. Finding ways to make tasty dishes without using heat is a great way to stay cool.

Tuna macaroni/pasta salads are popular picnic items, potluck dishes, and hot weather foods. For those of you unable to tolerate gluten, for whatever reason, there is a tasty alternative. Substitute rice noodles for the traditional wheat pasta. It takes less energy to digest, leaving you with a sense of fullness without all the tiredness associated with standard wheat products.

Find rice noodles at your local Asian market. Many standard grocery stores sell these items in the Asian section, as well. Noodles come in all widths, so find one that is suitable for you. Personally, I prefer the 1/2"-thick variety. It fits in perfectly for cold pasta dishes.

Here is the simple recipe. Prepare it an hour of so before your dining time to allow it to properly cool.

You will need a Dutch oven or large stock pan. Add the following:

6-8 cups water
pinch of salt
drop of oil to keep noodles from sticking together

Place pan onto stovetop burner.
Put temperature onto medium heat.
Bring water, salt, and oil to boil.
Add in the noodles
Reduce heat and cook for about 8 minutes, until noodles are done.

Remove from heat and drain into colander. Rinse with cold water.

Either return noodles to cooking pan or place into mixing bowl. The choice is yours...
Put into refrigerator and cool for about an hour.

When completely cooled, add the following:
1 small onion, chopped
1 t Italian seasoning
1/4 cup lowfat mayonnaise or plain yogurt (mayo is sweeter)
1 can albacore tuna, drained
1/2 cup sweet peas
1 garlic clove or 1 t garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute ingredients.

For diversity, add a chopped egg.

If desired, you can substitute lowfat sour cream for the mayo or yogurt. The choice is yours.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
Enjoy!

Find interesting? Kindly share...Thanks!
 

 

Steaming Foods Without a Steamer

Hi everyone! Do you like steaming food but do not have a vegetable steamer? Here's a quick and easy solution that uses what you already have in the kitchen.

1 - Take two plates that fit into a large dutch oven or stock pot pan.
2 - Put a small amount of water into the pan. About a 1/2 inch will do.
3 - Turn one plate upside down and place it into the pan.
4 - Place the second plate, eating-side up, on the overturned plate.
4 - Add your veggies or whatever else you want to steam.
5 - Turn the heat on.
6 - Cover the pan.
7 - Steam until food is poked done.

Plates are much easier to clean than those sometimes troubling commercially-made steamers.

Good luck!

Find interesting? Kindly share...Thanks!

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Quick, Easy, and TASTY Pistachio Shortbread

Who doesn't love pistachios? These versatile taste delights can be used in a number of nontraditional ways. Have you ever thought about expanding their usage to the cookie world? You can satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy kind of way. 

Make some pistachio shortbread cookies. My recipe is full of flavor and will have everyone reaching for more!

Here is a recipe I developed that is quick, easy, and oh..so tasty!

1.5 cups unbleached flour
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 cup pistachios, chopped

Preheat oven to 325 F. 
* Place butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. 
* Thoroughly mix until a puree consistency is reached. I like using a fork for this step.
* Add the flour and blend together. 
* Add the pistachios. (You can save time by chopping the pistachios in a food processor.)  
* Mix until the ingredients form a ball. You may need to use your hands to speed the process along.

* Divide the ball into halves.
* Roll each half into a tube, about 1" thick.
* Cut into 1/2 inch slices.
* Place slices onto ungreased cookie sheet.
* Bake until edges are lightly browned.
* Remove from cookie sheet and place onto paper towels.

Store cookies in airtight container. 

Find interesting? Kindly share...Thanks!

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Strawberry Romanced Shortcakes

Happy Valentine's Day to all my readers! This is the day of chocolates, red-colored foods and heart-shaped delights. So, let's make it quick and easy.

Buy a heart-shaped cookie cutter or you can simply use a knive.

Strawberry Romanced Shortcakes

You will need:
Frozen strawberries and juice
(You can make your own juice by simply using a fork to squash some strawberries until the juice runs out..)

Biscuits;
Either bake up some biscuits or buy some baked ones.
You can also use plain scones as your base.
Cut them into heart shapes.

Whipped cream..

Place the biscuit bottom onto a serving plate.
Scoop some strawberries and juice over the bottom.
Place the top on.
Put a dollop of whipped cream on top for a finishing touch.

Serve for dessert or a healthy romantic snack.


How quick and easy is that?


Find interesting? Kindly share...Thanks!

Healthy Patriotic Feast

Red, white, and blue are the colors for this military remembrance day. The day brings with it celebrations, parties, tributes, and sharing. What better way to share with others than by bringing a colorful dish or two to the potluck and feast? Here is a healthy way to participate...

RED:

Salvation Salsa

2 large hot house tomatoes, diced

¼ cup leek or red onion, diced

½ avocado, peeled and cubed

1-2 T chopped basil, rosemary, thyme and parsley

olive oil, to taste

2 T red wine vinegar

½ orange

Place all ingredients, except for orange, into mixing bowl. Combine thoroughly. Squeeze the orange over the mixture. Mix completely. Place in fridge to chill. Adjust vinegar and oil to taste.

Either enjoy the salsa as a halibut topping or a side dish.

WHITE:

Patriotic Halibut

1 pound halibut

½ t Italian seasoning

olive oil

Lightly spritz a grill or frying pan with the oil. Place the pan over medium heat. Rinse the halibut so it is moist. Cover the fish with seasoning. Cook halibut until done, about 8 minutes. Flip over at about the half-way mark to evenly cook. Check for doneness throughout cooking time.

BLUE:

Blueberry Smoothie

1 handful blueberries

1 cup plain yogurt

cinnamon, if desired

Place all ingredients into blender. Puree until desired consistency is reached. Serve chilled. Add a fresh sprig of mint to give a delightful and refreshing taste.

Find interesting? Kindly share..

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Slow Cookin' Split Pea Haven

Here's a healthy recipe for a soup that can be slurped via a straw. I developed it while becoming acquainted with my crock pot oh..so many years ago. This recipe came in particularly handy while I was recuperating from my fractured jaw. It's also perfect for times when you want good nutrition without having to take the time to chew your food.

The longer you cook the mixture, the softer the veggies become. I like to cook it until everything purees together in one wondrous blend.

Slow-Cookin' Split Pea Haven

6 cups water

2 cups split peas, rinsed

1 medium carrot, sliced and peeled

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

1 T Italian seasoning

1 small stalk broccoli, peeled to remove thick outer coating

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup cabbage

* Place all ingredients into crockpot. Stir thoroughly. Set crockpot setting on HIGH.

* Cover and cook for five hours. Stir occasionally throughout cooking time to prevent sticking.

* Cooking times vary, so check periodically.

* Serve warm with a slice of wholegrain bread or crackers.

* Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator.

* Soup can also be frozen for later use.

NOTE: For a non-vegetarian version, you can add a skinless and boneless chicken breast or pork tenderloin to the pot. When done, the protein will easily fall apart with a fork.

Find interesting? Kindly share...

 

  

Why Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables?

Hi my favorite readers! How many times as a kid did you hear to finish your plate of vegetables? Or, to eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away? If you were like me, it was a daily occurrence. Teaching kids to eat fruits and vegetables plays a crucial role in instilling healthy habits that last a lifetime. It also is important for living a healthy adult lifestyle. To this day, eating plain and simple fruits and/or veggies is a pure delight. Here's an interesting fact you may not be familiar with...

You know that eating fruits and veggies provides needed nutrition that fuels your body, supplying the energy needed to keep it operating at optimum levels. Did you also know that the nutrition fuels your mind? Yep...studies done at the University of Warwick reveal that these tasty delights feed your brain and enhance your mental outlook. Western culture studies continually reveal that eating at least 5 servings daily of these antioxidant-rich foods lower risks of developing chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Rarely is any mention made about the effects on brain functioning, though. That is until now. It appears the more you eat of these foods, up to seven servings daily, the stronger and more positive your mental health will be. Happiness, contentment and a positive mental outlook will become second nature. How nice is that?

So, instead of turning to those “mental health” prescriptions that are supposed to make you happy by decreasing your depression level, turn to food. Good, old-fashioned food can do the trick. Food has been used for centuries as natural remedies for a variety of health conditions. I am no medical professional, but I can certainly attest to the benefits of eating unadulterated food.

Here we go with the liability stuff: Granted, everyone is different. You may have a mental condition that warrants medications. You may have been on depression medications so long that your body has become accustomed to them. Do not stop taking any medications without checking with your medical care provider. Remember....what works me for me, may not work for you...

Find interesting? Kindly share... 

 

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Happy New Year!

Wishing all my readers a very healthy, prosperous, creative and abundance 2013. Happy New Year!

Tasty Holiday Crisp

It's that time of year when cranberries add a special delight to a number of tasty recipes. Here is one that is both healthy and delicious. It's a variation on the traditional apple crisp. Enjoy this as a holiday breakfast or dessert and watch the compliments come pouring in.

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Serves 8

3 c. apples, peeled, cored and sliced

2 c. cranberries, fresh and cut in half or chopped

¼ c. sugar

½ c. flour

½ c. walnuts or almonds, chopped

1 t. cinnamon

4 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine apples, cranberries, cinnamon and ½ of sugar in mixing bowl until fruit is evenly coated.

Place fruit mixture into ungreased baking dish.

Mix flour, nuts, butter and remaining sugar in medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle mixture over top of fruit combination.

Place baking dish into preheated oven. Bake for 50 minutes, or until you can poke the apples easily with a fork. Mixture will be bubbly and lightly brown when done.

NUTRITION INFO:

145 calories, 1g protein, 4g sat fat, 4g mono fat, 15mg chol, 2g fiber, 18g carb

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Enough With Organic Hype

Hi my favorite readers! There has been so much hype lately about the pros and cons of eating organic food that I thought it would be wise to provide a first-hand account.

Some claim that the foods "cost too much". It is true that organically grown foods can cost a few dollars more to buy than the nonorganic versions. However, what is the standard of measurement? What are you basing the cost on? What are you comparing it to? What does "too much" mean, anyways? "Too much" compared to what? 

You can buy organically grown produce at your local farmer's markets. The cost is extremely comparable to the nonorganic versions of the same foods found at your local supermarket. Understand that your supermarket - to matter what type of food is sells - has to pay for its shipping, storage, worker salaries, and building overhead and a plethora of other retail-oriented costs. All these expenses are reflected in higher food prices. Take that into consideration. This means that even the cheapest or organic foods can cost higher when purchased at a commercial supermarket.

NOTE: There is something "fishy" about a large supermarket chain getting into organic foods. How do we really know these foods are grown this way? Do we really know the types of fertilizers used? That entire field just does not settle correctly with me. I do not trust big supermarket chains, I don't care how "consumer friendly" they claim to be. Profit is their bottom line, no matter how they try to get around it.

Is a better tasting food worth the so-called extra price? You bet it is. Organically grown food, most notably from farmer's markets, simply tastes better than nonorganic varieties. There is no way someone is going to convince me otherwise. I know this for a fact. Pick a carrot from you or your friend's garden, clean it up and taste it.  Now....peel that store bought, nonorganic carrot and taste it. The non-organic variety will be tasteless. There simply is no comparison.

Getting back to eating true organic foods is really tasting food as originally intended. There are no artificial pesticides, sweeteners, additives or other signs of processing found.

Get your organic items from farmer's markets, food co-ops, local organic gardens or grow your own   for the best deals around. It's easier than you think.

It is sad to hear and read about "experts" claiming that these foods cost too much as a way to justify whatever point they are trying to make. Who are these "experts" anyways? Check your sources.

Find interesting? Kindly share...

<!-- AddThis Button END →

Making Your Own Energy Bars

It's great to have a high-protein snack or drink to replenish your body after a good workout. With so many energy bars available on the marketplace anymore, it can be confusing about what to buy. Plus, have you read the ingredients on these bars? There is a way for you to take control over what you put into your body while getting away from eating those commercially manufactured bars. Make your own energy bars. It's quicker and easier than you may think.

By making your own energy bars you know exactly what goes into the end product. Homemade versions contain no additives, flavorings, artificial sweeteners or harmful preservatives. Since all recipes contain some sort of fat, as a binding agent, you can adjust which type you use to satisfy your personal taste and health needs. Making your own also allows you to determine how large a portion you want.

Here's a recipe I adapted from a local television station to suit my tastes. You can also adjust ingredients to suit your taste buds.

You will need:

9x13” baking pan

medium saucepan

medium mixing bowl

cookie sheet

large mixing bowl

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups oats

½ cup sliced almonds

½ cup crushed walnuts

¼ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup raisins

¼ cup chopped dates

¼ cup dried apricots, chopped

Wet Ingredients:

¼ cup honey

¼ maple syrup

¼ cup barley malt syrup

1 cup peanut or almond butter, creamy variety

2 T canola or sunflower oil

Preheat oven to 350.

Evenly spread oats and nuts onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes, until lightly brown.

Combine wet ingredients in medium saucepan.

Cook over low to medium heat until blended, about 10 minutes.

Stir continuously.

Combine wet and dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss until dry mixture is thoroughly coated with wet mixture.

Place mixture into 9x13” baking dish. Firmly press into place until the entire pan is filled.

Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until mixture is firm.

Cut into your desired serving sizes.

Find interesting? Kindly share.... 

An Easy Way to Cut Down on Sugar

With refined sugar being so prevalent in our food supply, it can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task for reduce your consumption. There is an easy way to do it, though.

Start purchasing products that contain zero amounts of refined sugars or other sugar forms. Sugar forms include refined sugars such as white sugar, molasses, brown sugar, powdered sugar, syrups, high fructose corn syrup and turbinado sugar.

Other sugar forms include maltodextrin, sucrose, glucose and honey - to name a few from the top of my head.

Read the labels to be certain. Labels contain a wealth of information about the product's nutritional value.

Instead of buying your traditional style peanut butter, for instance, that contains added sugar, start buying the brands that are labeled as "all natural". "All natural" usually means the product does not contain any additives, preservatives or commercially-added sugars and/or fats. In the case of peanut butter, it means the product contains only peanuts and maybe salt. Better yet, use one of those machines that grinds the peanuts while you watch.

Getting used to foods in their least processed states is the easiest way to make the transition away from the dependence upon sugar.

Good luck!

Find interesting? Kindly share...

No Time for Hot Cereal?

Sometimes we either oversleep and miss the alarm or simply don't want to take the time to eat hot cereal in the morning. Either way, there is a quick and easy solution to fuel yourself for the day ahead.

Take some time the next before to make a couple batches of your hot cereal. Add dried raisins, dates, nuts or sliced fresh apples to your favorite whole grain cereal. A good combination is some oats, quinoa and flaxseeds for your whole grain cereal base.

Cook up your cereal over medium heat until done. Stir constantly to prevent sticking.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Place into airtight containers. Put into the refrigerator.

When you start your next day, simply take out the prepared cereal mixture and scoop your portion into a cereal bowl.

Heat in a microwave for two minutes to warm thoroughly.

Serve with soy or dairy milk and sweetener, if needed. Or, you can skip the milk. Sprinkle with some cinnamon for extra sweetness and nutrition.

How easy and convenient is this?

Find interesting? Kindly share...

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all my favorite readers! Even though it is the season of delicious food that you otherwise may not eat during the rest of the year (in my case..it's gravy)..Remember to eat everything in moderation.

Here's a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding excessive calories and all that other "unhealthy" stuff...

Buy a fresh pineapple and dice it up. Snacking on pineapple is simply scrumptious!

You can also make a fresh fruit smoothie by blending together some diced pineapple with plain yogurt. Add flaxseed to get some more nutrients in there.

Or, make a fresh fruit salad by mixing together some pineapple, plain yogurt or lowfat sour cream, mandarin oranges and sliced cherries or blueberries. Yumm!!!


Enjoy!

Find interesting? Kindly share...

Easy & Nutritious Meal for Holiday Season

It's always nice to be able to have a homemade meal that doesn't take much time to prepare. This is especially true when you're tired for any reason including long work hours, tkr recuperation or illness. Here's a recipe that doesn't take much energy to get ready. Plus, it's nutritious. Can't beat that...I remember eating it as a kid when my grandparents would make it. I've added some modern twists..

Enjoy this recipe throughout the busy holiday season or any time of the year.

Boiled Dinner

6-8 cups water

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

1 - 2” slice of cabbage

2 slices onion

2 potatoes, peeled and however you want to cut them

1 chicken breast, skin removed

1 t. Italian seasoning

¼ t dried basil

3 sprigs broccoli

Place water into Dutch oven, crockpot or large cooking pot.

Add all ingredients.

Cook over medium heat until everything is cooked til tender. If cooking on a stovetop, partially cover. If using a crockpot, fully cover for the duration.

Stir occasionally.

There are a variety of ways to serve this:

* You can serve this as a soup by cutting the protein up.

* Remove the veggies and protein to a serving plate and serve with a dollop of plain yogurt.

*Save the broth for other uses. Use the broth instead of canned broth in any recipe.

* Place a slice of whole grain bread onto the plate and pour some broth over it. Eat this in addition to, or instead of, the potatoes.

Freeze or refrigerate unused portions for later use. Store in airtight containers.

What's nice about this recipe, is you can alter the preparation methods according to how you feel. If you lack energy, simply peel the veggies and place whole into the water.

* Or, substitute peeled baby carrots for the carrots that require peeling.

* You can also buy a package of peeled and prepared fresh veggies to open and place into the water. The choice is yours.

Find interesting? Kindly share..

An Easy Way to Avoid Overeating

The holiday season brings with it so many different foods that only come out this time of year. It's the only time of the year that star or Christmas tree-shaped sugar cookies abound, for instance. And, let's not forget everyone's favorite, fruitcake. :) For myself, it's the only time of year I consume gravy and stuffing. Everyone is different, but overeating during this time commonly occurs for many people. The less you eat the less weight you put on your joints and tkr, too. What's a good way to avoid this? Here's my suggestion...

Use a smaller plate. Have you noticed how dinner plates have dramatically increased in size lately? It seems to have simultaneously occurred with the increased obesity epidemic and larger serving portions. Go figure. Dinner plates used to average 8” width, now they can be as big as 12” Yikes. The sight of these larger plates is just not pleasant, in my opinion. It's just so much food. Way too much food.

If you don't have any smaller plates in your cupboard, go to your thrift store. Past generations commonly used dinner plates that were 8” diameter. And, these items abound in thrift stores due to families donating estates. You can get an entire 8-place serving set for $20. If you look around, you may find a better deal.

You may also want to use dessert or salad plates as your main serving plate. This will decrease your portion sizes even smaller. Filling your smaller plates up with food fools your mind into thinking you're eating a lot of food.

Give these suggestions a try. You will like it. Enjoy!

Find interesting? Kindly share....