Friday, February 12, 2016

Grapefruit, Apple, Raspberry Juice




"Hey sis... If I buy all the ingredients will you make me my favorite juice?"

This is a regular question around our house as Gimmi loves this juice but hates using the juicer. So I juice it for her. She deserves it though, she's a pretty awesome sister and roommate!

While this juice is super yummy it is also filled with super healthy health benefits.

Grapefruit:
The powerful nutrient combination of fiber, potassium, lycopene, vitamin C and choline in grapefruit all help to maintain a health heart.

Raspberries:
Raspberries contain strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C, quercentin and gallic acid that fights against cancer, heart and circulatory disease and age-related decline.

Red Apples:
Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

So as you can see, this juice is a power house of health! All you need to do is wash your raspberries, slice up your apples, and peel your grapefruit. Then juice away! This is a juice the kids will love too!

Happy Juicing!

xoxo,
g

Here is one of my favorite juices too! 


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Creamy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup (vegan)

Creamy Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup (vegan)

This is a great winter soup! Some of us are vegans and others have vegan friends, sometimes it can be hard accommodating their particular diet when they come over to dinner. If you make this, I guarantee that they will absolutely love it and they will love you for making it!

Ingredients:
-2 large sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
-10 carrots peeled and chopped
-1can coconut milk
-1 box vegetable stock
-1yellow onion finely minced
-4 cloves garlic finely minced
-House seasoning
-chopped green onions for garnish
-2 tbl spoons EVOO

In a large pot saute onions, garlic, and EVOO on a medium heat for about 5 minutes or until they start to become translucent. Then add carrots and sweet potatoes. Season with house seasoning to taste, I used about a teaspoon. Mix to coat with onion mixture and seasoning. Then add the veggie stock. Bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce to medium/low and cover. Cook until all veggies are very tender, almost mushy, you don't want the vegetables to have any texture. Turn off heat. Use an emulsion blender to puree soup. Once you have an even texture (almost what you would imagine baby food to be like) add 1 can of coconut milk and use a spoon to stir it in until even incorporated. Garnish with green onions and enjoy.

xoxo,
gim

Friday, February 5, 2016

PB&J Pie

This recipe takes every kids favorite sandwich and turns it into an adult dessert!

Ingredients:
-1 store bought gram cracker pie crust
-1 pkg cream cheese left out to soften
-1 cup creamy peanut butter
-1 jar mixed berry jam
-1/2 cup sugar
-home made or store bought whipped cream
-2 eggs
-1teaspoon flour

Pre heat oven to 375. Mix softened cream cheese and peanut butter together using a mixer. Then and sugar and flour, continue to mix. Add eggs one at a time and continue to mix until everything is smooth and creamy. Take your jam and spread evenly on the bottom of your pie crust. Then pour peanut butter mixture on top of that. Bake for 30 minutes or until center is firm. Set out to cool completely. Then top with whipped cream and place in fridge for 2 hours to chill. Slice, serve and devour.

xoxo,
gim

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Garlic Dill Pickles




Who loves a good and crunchy dill pickle? Well... the only thing better is a good and crunchy homemade garlic dill pickle. These babies are for sure a crowd pleaser. I brought a jar to work and they didn't last but an hour or two. 

If you love a good pickle. I highly recommend making your own. You won't regret it!


Ingredients:

  • 2 quarts of water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup sea salt
  • About 3 to 4 pounds of cucumbers - small pickling cukes are best
  • 8 large heads of dill, or more if they are smaller
  • 8 medium garlic cloves
  • about 20 black peppercorns



  • Instructions:
    Bring your water, vinegar, and sea salt to a boil
    While you wait, slice cucumbers into quarters long ways
    Take the slices plus the dill, garlic, and peppercorns and place them into the jars
    Once the liquid has come to a boil, poor it into the jars filling to the top (be careful as this is very hot)!
    Seal the jars and leave on the counter for two days. The lids will seal as the temperature drops.
    After the second day place in the refrigerator for two more days and then you are ready to enjoy your homemade pickles. 
    They will keep for several months. 

    xoxo,
    g


    Monday, February 1, 2016

    Southern Chili





    Happy Monday! Well, it has actually been a little cold in our neck of the woods the last few weeks. So we decided to cook up a big pot of chili to enjoy and boy did we enjoy it. I think this is the best chili I have ever made. I hope you enjoy it too.

    Ingredients
    -2yellow onion
    -2 tbsp EVOO
    -5 cloves garlic, minced
    -1lb ground turkey
    -1lb ground beef
    -1 green bell pepper
    -4 roma tomatoes
    -2 jalapeños
    -2 cans red kidney beans (rinsed)
    -2 cans corn
    -3 cups chicken stock
    -2 cans tomato sauce
    -2 tbsp Chili powder
    -1 tbsp Garlic Salt
    -Pepper to taste

    Directions
    Dice onion and garlic, sauté in a large soup pot until translucent
    Increase heat to medium high and add in ground meats, cook until browned
    Add diced jalapeno, green onion, and jalapeños, sauté for 1 minute
    Add chicken stock and tomato sauce
    Add in remaining ingredients and stir
    Simmer over medium heat for 40 min, the chili will thicken
    Turn heat off and let rest for 5 minutes
    Top with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green pepper :: Other amazing toppings are green onion and avocado.

    xoxo,
    g

    ps... How cute is Gimmi in that picture? I honestly have the best sister.