SHAMROCKS π, leprechauns and green hats, shirts and green beer. On March 17th. the Irish and as it seems the rest of English speaking world celebrate St. Patrick’s life with green beer, bacon and cabbage. St Patrick (c.β385Β β c.β461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
March is the month of good luck and good wishes.
My cauldron may not be filled with gold. It is filled with GOOD LUCK SOUPπ! Here’s hoping!
Good Luck Soup is traditionally served on New Year’s day. This soup is enjoyed during St Patrick’s day celebrations.
Collardgreens represents financially prosperity. Black-eyed peas is the symbol of prosperity brought to us from the shores of Africa to their U.S. counterparts.
INGREDIENTS
β’ Chop the collards first.1-2 bunches of collard greens ( You decide how much you want – more is good)
β’ 1 large onion (or 2 medium onions).
β’ 5 cloves of garlic
β’ 3 tablespoons of olive oil
β’ 1 tsp. chili powder
β’ 1 tbsp. smoked paprika (heaping)
β’ 2 tsp cumin seeds (smash, do not grind)
β’ 1 tbsp. cinnamon (heaping)
β’ 10-15 green or white cardamon pods*
β’ 2-3 14-16 fl oz drained cans black eyed peas [baby Lima beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, chick peas ]Mix ‘n Match
β’ 1 can crushed tomatoes with 2 (tomato) cans of water
β’ 3 tsp pink Himalayan salt
β’ A handful of chopped cilantro (or parsley) about 1/2 cup
(add 2 diced carrots for color plus one chopped turnip or yellow carrot).
DIRECTIONS
β’ Rinse and chop collards (Rip or cut out the hard center stem). Assemble and mix your dry spices in one bowl
β’ Add oil to your dutch oven (or heavy pot). Add chopped onions, heat until translucent. Add spices and mix quickly.
β’ Add chopped garlic and blend together. [ Add more oil if ingredients start to dry up ].
β’ Add 2 cans of drained black-eyed peas (or mixed beans) Optional: Add a third can for extra luck!
β’ Add chopped collards [collards are different sizes. Make sure your ratio is good. About 50:50; collards:beans]
β’ Add chopped carrots+ turnip and 1 can of tomatoes + 2 cans of water. (more water if soup looks more like a stew)
β’ Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
β’ Add pink salt and chopped cilantro in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
β’ Optional: Add about 1 tsp. of thyme, rosemary and/or 1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes.
We need as much luck and joy as we can get. Good Luck Soup can by eaten all year round not just on January 1st. or St. Patrick’s Day. If you have a smidgen of faith or a lot of faith enjoy this “lucky” soup all year around, and may your wishes and good fortune follow you!
I always add cinnamon in my coffee -long before it became trending. Years later, Starbucks added vanilla shakers with honey and other spices for your coffee or tea.
I can add this trio of spices to my morning coffee with my usual teaspoon of collagen. Hum-m-m? π€ It’s a new day—>TGC
Three’s The Charm ‘powerful medicinal spices’
This is the ratio. I would start here. If you like, make larger batches in the same ratio. I have a sprinkle jar to help blend it and I don’t need a spoon or scoop and no lumps. So many people are selling this with complex ingredients using words like capsicum and gingerol. This is the basic recipe.
1 teaspoon
Ground Turmeric
1 teaspoon
Ground Cinnamon
Β½ teaspoon
Black Pepper (ground)
Β½ teaspoon
Ground Ginger
6 cups
Your Favorite Coffee (brewed coffee, latte, cappuccino, espresso etc)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper and ginger in a bowl and store in an airtight glass container.
2. Add 1/2 tsp of this mixture to your ready coffee and mix well and serve.
Dr Steven Gundry M.D. suggests adding (MTC) coconut oil – few drops in your coffee. Remember Bullet Coffee? That is what MCT is about. Gundry also states that cow’s milk, almond and cashew milk negates the effect of MCT in your coffee. Coconut oil or coconut milk is acceptable.
[1a] ALL ABOUT Turmeric
NOTE: Dr. Gundry MD. supports no milk,almond or any other milk in coffee. It kills pr negates the MCT in your coffee. Dr Axe also, says it best–> MCT
Turmeric is part of the Ginger Family, and an important ingredient for curry dishes. The powerful health component in turmeric is called curcumin. More scientific studies are establishing the benefits of turmeric.
Turmeric is rich in phytonutrients that may protect the body by neutralizing free radicals (pollution, sunlight) and shielding the cells from damage, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and other joint disorders, colitis, allergies and infections.Turmericβs effect on mood disorders, depression and dementia have also been explored. Currently, these studies are small. Some research results show that people who have osteoarthritis reported less joint pain when eating turmeric in recipes. Turmeric is used as a natural coloring agent for mustard.
[1b] Pepper [HELPS with turmeric]
A good marriage is combining turmeric with black pepper –> Pepper is documented to help increase your bodyβs ability to absorb turmericβs beneficial compounds. Approximately ΒΌ tsp freshly ground black pepper can be taken with 1 tsp turmeric powder. Pepper helps turmeric to do its job.
Peppercornis an aromatic fruit picked from pepper vines. Peppercorns exhibit anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and anti-bacterial properties. They can also be used to aid digestion, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and reduce weight.
[2] All About Cinnamon
Cinnamon is deemed as the highest antioxident spice (or herb). The leaves on this tree smell spicy. One of the most beneficial spices on earth. Cinnamon health benefits come from its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, immune-boosting, heart-protecting and cancer-fighting properties. But, easy to make at home. Watch: cinnamon. I reduced the scientific terms to a layman’s approach.
Hereβs how it works
* Controls insulin levels (which means less calories stored as fat)
* Helps to burn belly fat (cinnamon is said to impact abdominal fat more than fat found in other parts of your body)
* Speeds metabolism (so you burn more even at rest)
* Suppresses appetite (so you stay full longer)
The honey and cinnamon face packsis known throughout the world. Egg whites face mask encourages the production of collagen on your skin. You can mix it in your facial or alone. Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon produces high quality cinnamon. It has more oil than cassia cinnamon (found in the rest of the world). 50β63% of the oil (from Sri Lanka’s cinnamon) is called cinnamaldehyde, which explains its mild flavor but very tasty.
[3] All About Ginger
This woman in Hawaii is holding mild, perishable, Pink “Baby Ginger“(only sold locally). If you can buy it, store in the freezer. Grate frozen rhizome into recipes and put right back into the freezer. Store your regular ginger in the freezer too; lasts longer. Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant based on research. Ginger, cinnamon and sesame oil together has a stronger effect for joint pain. Picture: ginger grown in Hawaii.
Ginger contains gingerol. Maybe that’s how Ginger Ale got its name.
Ginger is a popular brain food. Thereβs also some evidence that ginger can help enhance brain function directly. And, as in Alzheimer’s prevention, Tests show weight lose is supported by Ginger. Also, Osteoarthritis (OA) is curtailed to a certain extent. Thereβs also some evidence that ginger can help enhance brain function directly. In a 2012 study of healthy middle-aged women, daily doses of ginger extract were shown to improve reaction time and working memory.
Feed the brain with Collagen and MCT (coconut) oil. And, Spice up your life with TGC !! π
Buy As A Supplement In Teabag Portions
Make it your daily spice mixture of turmeric, ginger and cinnamon (T.G.C.) Made up of two roots and the (inner) bark of a tree. Supplements you can shake from your own dispenser. Be adventurous. I am baking Oatmeal cookies today. I will add some triple goodness for “Spicy Oatmeal Cookies”!
A friend pointed out –>
One tablespoon of cinnamon contains 68% manganese and 8% calcium and 4% iron. Manganese is a trace mineral. It is vital for the human body, but people only need it in small amounts. The body can not make manganese. Manganese may help promote strong, dense bones when combined with other nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D.
Let’s reinvent a great classic. Trending! π Banana Bread π made in a blender!
Top down: This blender banana bread has yogurt, peanut butter and coconut powder with brown Monk Fruit. NO CANE SUGAR!
Cut your banana bread into a heart shapes on Valentines day..π.. Your family and friends will love it! ~ The extras you do! A great breakfast treat.
INGREDIENTS
(1) 2 cups old-fashioned oats
(2) 2-3 bananas ( about 1 cup)
(3) 2 large eggs
(4) 1 teaspoon baking soda
(5) 1/4 cup maple syrup = 4 tbsp. [standard] [some people use 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce]
Note: I added 2 Tbsp of brown monk fruit & One loaf without any added sweetener (optional)
(6) ΒΌ teaspoon Fine Grain Sea Salt
(7) Add complimentary spices (below) SPICES1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp cinnamon (+ a dash of nutmeg) PLUS
2 tablespoons of flax seeds, slightly crushed in a mortar and pestle
2-4 tablespoons peanut butter (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1 Preheat oven to 350Β°F. Lightly grease 9Γ5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 2 Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and well combined. ( you can have some chunks of banana) Be sure not to over blend. If the batter is over blended, it will start to warm and cook the oats which prevents the loaf from baking into a bread-like texture. It will have the texture of oatmeal if the oats start cooking before you bake the bread.) 3 Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If the top of the loaf is browned, but the center is not baked all the way through yet, simply cover the top with foil and let the loaf continue to bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)TOPPERS: walnuts, banana slices, coconut flakes, cranberry and lemon zest. You can also add these toppers to the batter itself
Let loaf cool completely in loaf pan. Store bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Do Not Over Blend The Batter!
If the batter is over blended, it will start to warm and cook the oats which prevents the loaf from baking into a bread-like texture. If the oats start cooking before you bake the bread, you will end up with the texture of oatmeal–> gooey gummy bread.
Keep an eye on your baking. Rotate bread halfway through cooking. If it’s too brown, you can still save the day. Covered the top of the bread with tin foil and back in the oven. Check for doneness when inserting a toothpick in the bread and the toothpick comes out clean.
INGREDIENTS:Add 2-3 tbsp of butter, 3 tbsp. brown monks fruit, 2-3 tbsp. of cinnamon. The proportions is up to you. If you want a heavy swirl or a light swirl.
METHOD: Add 2 inches of batter in your baking container, followed by dollops of cinnamon. Swirl it around with a knife. REPEAT for the next two layers.
VARIATIONS:You can even add cardamom, chopped dates, figs or walnuts in your swirl.
The amount of cinnamon is up to you! But, don’t go overboard. Note: You can swirl with peanut butter (2-4 tablespoons)
For pumpkin blender bread, you only need to exchange the bananas with a 15 oz can pure pumpkin and you standard pumpkin spices. 15oz or about 2 cups of apples is a great substitute for bananas, and goes well with cinnamon.
VARIATION: Cut banana bread slices in half and toast in the oven for delicious biscotti! Dip 1/3 of each piece in dark chocolate and place on a cooling rack.
FREEZER Friendly: Slice frozen banana bread. Pop in the toaster. They taste amazingly fresh
I wanted a healthy home made soup for busy, lazy, opportunistic people who live for nutritional food. The Soup-In-A-Jar! was my answer. No more chopping vegetables and preparing all the ingredients for a great soup.
Here are some of my favourite jar soups, I would like to share with you and a dozen mason jars.
π§ My garlic soup was inspired by a successful garlic farmer–> 30 Garlic Clove Soup. I needed fresh grilled garlic for this masterpiece. How do I put this magic in a jar? I will make it with dry garlic. First, I must buy a case of garlic! ;). Maybe roast some before dehydration?
As I entered the foray of jarred soup, they turned out to be delicious!
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup orange lentils
2/3 cup red or French green (Puy) lentils
1 tablespoon turmeric
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or plain paprika)
Β½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon dried onions -minced
1 teaspoon dried garlic granules
Β½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (1 tsp. – for a hot version)
Β½ teaspoon cumin seeds
Β½ teaspoon ground coriander
Β½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger (1 tsp. powdered ginger)
Β½ teaspoon black pepper
Β½ tsp grated nutmeg
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 small dried chile pepper
A dash of salt -added at the end of cooking
I tablespoon dried tomatoes (optional)
(have coconut milk and vegetable stock ready for the cooking process)
OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup black forbidden rice -adds a flare of colour to your layers. One dried hot pepper on top. DIRECTIONS.
Add vegetable stock to a sauce pan, plus all remaining ingredients and one 14-ounce can of coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard the chile pepper before serving. GARNISH: Cilantro or Fresh Mint. Season to taste. (This is the time to add salt). If you do not have coconut mil use ΒΌ cup Coconut (shredded). NOTE: You may add 1/4 cup of coconut powder to the jar instead of canned coconut milk in the cooking process
INGREDIENTS
1 quart (32 ounce) jar with lid
Printable label/gift tag (scroll down for the free printable!)
1 cup dried kidney beans
1 cup dried white beans
1 cup dried black beans
1 cup dried pinto beans
1 cup dried split peas
1 teaspoon dried onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Β½ teaspoon paprika
Β½ teaspoon dry mustard
1-2 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoons Sea salt
1 bay leaf
1 CAN (14OZ) diced tomatoes (when ready to cook the soup) ASSEMBLY
Layer 1/2 to ΒΎ cup pinto beans in jars; shake gently to level beans. Repeat with ΒΎ cup of peas, northern beans, black beans and red beans. Set jars aside. (You may need 2-3 jars.- depends on the size)
Combine pepper, paprika, dry mustard, dried onion powder, salt, garlic powder, oregano, rosemary and basil in a small bowl.
Place 3 T of spice mix in a snack-size ziploc bag. Add 2 bay leaves and 1 bouillon cube. Gently shake contents to one side of bag and close. Fold bag around spices and place in top of each jar.
Place lids on jars, sealing tightly. Tie with ribbon and attach printable gift tag with instructions.. DIRECTIONS
Remove spice packet
rinse bean and place in a pot with water 1 inch above the beans
Bring to a boil and boil for one minute
Remove from heat and soak the beans for one hour
Drain and rinse beans then add beans to the pot with spices, diced tomatoes and 6 cups of water
Bring to a boil then reduce heat this is when you add salt) and simmer until beans are tender (1 1/2 to 2 hours) and soup is thick
Refrigerator leftovers up to 5 days
Print your LABELS “5 Bean Vegetarian Soup” : download label -instructions HERE
INGREDIENTS
1 cup pearled barley
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (dehydrated, not packed in oil)
1 tablespoon dried chopped onions
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 veggie bouillon cube DIRECTIONS
Remove wrapper from bouillon cube and add it, plus all remaining ingredients, plus four cups of water (omit the bouillon if using stock) and one 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the barley is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve topped with grated Parmesan. Season to taste.
<–Left Italian Barley Soup with sun dried tomatoes
BONUS ~ Fast and Easy!
I grew up on pea soup. Buying a huge bag of dry split peas can be daunting. It usually stays on my shelf in the pantry a bit too long. A simply mason jar filled with measured dry split peas with spices already added is eye appealing! Life is now easier!
INGREDIENTS
2 cups split green peas
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon dried chopped onions or onion powder
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1-2 tsp. thyme
1-2 bay leaf
1 chicken bouillon cube( unless you use stock instead of water – use Knorr) DIRECTIONS
Remove wrapper from bouillon cube and add it, plus all remaining ingredients, plus four cups of water (or stock) to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the peas are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in one cup of chopped ham (optional) before serving. Season to taste.
Garnish: Fresh mint. chives, fresh peas, an asparagus stalk is a good addition. While cooking, pop in fresh or frozen broccoli. It pairs well with pea soup. A dollop of yogurt is refreshing and eye appealing.
Burn Belly Fat
Top seven foods to remove belly fat. #1 is BEANS. Try our 5 BEAN SOUP IN-A-JAR. More belly fat burning vegetables: click this link –> Burn belly fat. Dehydrated fruits like blueberries and apricots is another healthy soup. Make fruit soup. –> Finland’s blueberry soup. (This recipe -No need to add sugar. Mom never did.) Finland’s blueberry soup retails $30-40 online (for a 220 gm. pouch). Make your own! (use wild blueberries ONLY not canned). I grew up eating this soup. Hot or cold! Yum!
A WARM HUG
Layer all ingredients in a clean, glass (pint size) jar in a colorful order. Bay leaf or whole peppers on the top layer. Tightly close the lid, add a tag, and place on the shelf for up to 12 months.. Friends, college students and just about everyone will be beaming when you gift your dry soup to them. Hot soup on a cold, winter day is like a warm hug!
How To Dehydrate Vegetables
Dried veggies is a brilliant addition to your soup. See Link–> Best Veggies To Dehydrate Fresh herbs can easily be dried. Some vegetables, including eggplant, squash, and green beans, should be blanched before drying. –> Dehydrate carrots : Preheat your oven to 170 degrees F, or the lowest temperature setting. On your baking sheets, lined with parchment paper, arrange your prepared produce. Separate the items so they donβt touch. Then, transfer the baking sheets to the oven to let the produce dry, flipping the pieces occasionally throughout the process. Check periodically for doneness. Most dried veggies required soaking the veggies for 15 minutes in hot water before adding to the soup. (You can add this ‘soaking’ water fight in your soup).
Dehydrated Vegetables ~Healthy Additions
EXPERIMENT
IF YOU WANT A TEX-MEX SOUP (add to the 5 bean soup) Add 1–> 4 ounce can Green chilli. 1/2 tsp. cumin and 1 1/2 tsp. chilli powder, a dash of hot chilli flakes. If you have fresh bell pepper around add that to the cooking of the beans. For the pea soup I always add thyme – ( my own recipe ) when I made fresh soup. No difference with jarred soup.
There is even a 15 bean soup. The possibilities are endless.
Kombucha is a fermented drink like beer and wine. Very low alcohol (under 10%). Kombucha is called a tea, made from (1) Yeast, (2) Sugar, and (3) Black tea. Renew your interest in this fermented tea to improve your health. Make a difference in your life. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start now. [ Note: The sugar is fermented out via scoby / yeast culture. ]
INGREDIENTS
1 Scoby purchased or grow komucha scoby from a bottle
1 Cup sugar (sugar needed to feed the fermentation)
5 Organic black tea bags (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)(can use green tea, but not the first batch)
1 Gallon Jar to store kombucha
2 Fresh Ginger (3-inch pieces) Vary to taste.
Glass bottles for storage
2 Cups brewed Kombucha
DIRECTIONS how to make kombucha recipe 1 gallon
1. Everything must be sanitized. I cannot stress this enough. When dealing with fermenting anything it is crucial every piece is clean and sanitized. Wash your hands and all equipment used before you begin. I like to run everything through my dishwasher before I make and bottle. My husband and I brew our own beer and make our own wine. So we are very familiar with making sure everything is super clean and sanitized. 2. Measure out 3.5 quarts of water and place in a pot on the stove. Heat the water until boiling. Some people insist on using distilled water. Boiling filtered water from our fridge has worked perfect for me, and I have been making this for nearly a year. 3. Turn off the heat and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved. Then add 5 organic black tea bags. This is the brand I use and for the first fermentation from your homemade scoby you should use black tea for a strong brew. Cover the pot so not much water escapes. After you have brewed the kombucha you can then use a combination of black and green tea. But you should have at least a 3 black tea and 2 green for later brews 4. Wait for the tea to cool. It must cool to room temperature before adding the scoby. If not you risk damaging your precious scoby you grew from scratch. Once it is completely cooled, pour the tea into the clean 1 gallon jar and add 2 cups of your previous brew. Then add the homemade scoby to the top. 5. Store in the 1 gallon glass jar with a cloth (cheese cloth-doubled) covered lid with a rubber band. This allows the kombucha to breathe without getting any additional bacteria or fruit flies in your brew. Store in a dark closet that remains cool through out the day and someplace no one will touch it. It needs to remain still to grow the scoby and create the bubbles. 6. Allow to brew for at least 7 days. It may take 10-12 days, depending on the temperature in your home. During the winter months, I allow a little longer brew. Right now 8 days is the perfect time for the flavor and creating the carbonation.
IMPORTANT: The bacteria in kombucha is considered a probiotic. But, if not prepared properly harmful bacteria or mold grows on your scoby Green or gray spots is a sign of mold. Another sign of mold when your scoby is dull and fuzzy looking. NOT glossy. Discard the scoby and start over. TIP: Use cane sugar or white, not honey, stevia, raw or coconut sugar. When shopping for kombucha, it may be best to choose brands that contain under 4 grams (1 teaspoon) of added sugar per serving. TREND: Add turmeric & black pepper Ratio: 100/1. How much? 1 tsp. of turmeric per gal. + a pinch of black pepper. You should not be able to taste the turmeric.
Put a jug in your fridge: Gallon dispensers (5.5 cups) with a spout. (as seen in IKEA.com, Canada)
It Tastes Like Vinegar!
Not true ~ Kombucha is delightfully tart and fizzy. Ginger adds a warm and spicy punch!
Kombucha can be made into vinegar – fermentation period –>6-10 weeks. Use in salad dressings! Other uses: mayonnaise (add 2 tbsp to your mayo recipe). Hair Tonic, Facial Toner, House Cleaner and Healthy Gummies <–recipe.
Criminal Minds At Work!
Mandy Patinkin (actor – Criminal Minds +plus) is a proud advocate of kombucha [kΓ€mΛboΝochΙ]!…or Kambuka? Anyway you say it ~ it ‘s all good!
Kvass – Similar to Kombucha
Kvass
When life gives you stale rye bread, itβs time to make bread kvass!
Simply Splendid Food 