Tag Archive: lime


Roasted Squash and Kale Salad

squash-kale-salad Recipe
Photo by Quentin Bacon

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons agave
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound kale, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and julienned
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 teaspoons low-sodium tamari
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°. Peel, seed, and cut butternut squash into 1-inch chunks. Toss with olive oil,  salt, and pepper; bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven; cool. Toss with kale, cucumber, and red onion. In a blender, purée low-sodium tamari, fresh lime juice, sesame oil, agave, creamy peanut butter, fresh ginger, and water. Drizzle salad with dressing; serve.

Blueberry Agave Baking Sheet Pie

Modified from Smitten Kitchen

Blueberry Agave Baking Sheet Pie

Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Yield: Quarter Size Baking Sheet
(7 Item Recipe)
Naturally Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free

Vegan Butter Crust Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups rice flour
2 1/2 tablespoons agave
15 tablespoons cold vegan butter
2/3 cup ice water

Filling Ingredients:
5 cups fresh organic blueberries, rinsed and dried
3 tablespoon fresh squeezed organic lime juice
1/2 cup agave
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 Tablespoon flax seed meal + 3 Tablespoons Water

Drizzle Ingredients:
1/2 cup organic agave
1 Teaspoon rice flour
2 – 3 tablespoons organic lime juice, squeezed fresh

Crust Directions:

Combine the flour, and agave in food processor. Chop up butter, then add to flour mixture pulsing 5 times.
Slowly add in the ice water, pulsing  2  more times until dough is mixed together.

Put dough on floured surface making it into a ball. Divide the dough in half, flatten into circles, then cover with plastic wrap.
Chill for 30 minutes in refrigerator. While dough is chilling begin the filling mixture.

Pie Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. Spray quarter size baking sheet with nonstick olive oil spray.
Put all filling ingredients in a large bowl.

Roll out one of the dough circles on a floured surface into a rectangle. Fold up into quarters then unfold inside baking pan. Excess dough can overhang along the edge. Set aside while you roll out the top crust.

Roll out the second circle into a rectangle. Next spoon the filling in,

and then cover with the top crust. Fold the edge of the bottom crust up around the top crust, and crimp with fingers to seal the pie.
Make sure you make a good seal otherwise the pie will leak.

Brush top crust with vegan butter then poke entire top with fork.

Place in the oven and bake for 45  minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is a light brown.

Drizzle Directions:

Once cool, combine the lime juice, agave and rice flour stirring until smooth, and carefully drizzle over the top of the pie.
Cut squares and serve.

Healthy Affordable Dinner on a budget @ $2 per plate

Time: 45 Minutes
Yield: 4-6 Servings
(10 Item Recipe)

Ingredients:

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
*Trader Joe’s 3lb -16 piece bag of chicken for $6 No Hormones, No Steroids, No Antibiotics, Grain Fed Natural Chicken – used only 4 pieces*
1 organic Zucchinni Squash, sliced into rings
1 organic Yellow Squash, sliced into rings
1 organic Red Bell Pepper. sliced into strips
1 organic Avocado, sliced
Extra Virgin Olive oil spray for searing chicken and veggies
1 cup organic Brown & Wild Rice
1/4 cup organic Cilantro, finely diced
1 organic Lemon or Lime
Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper

Directions:

In a large pot or rice cooker start your wild rice according to package.  About 10 minutes before rice is done heat pan or flat top grill.  Sprinkle chicken with sea salt and pepper.  Five minutes before rice is completed sprinkle with fresh cilantro. Cook chicken until juices are clear.  While awaiting chicken 6 minutes before done start veggies.  Slice squash and bell pepper into rings, sprinkle with sea salt then put onto flat top or another skillet on medium heat.  Cook for 2 minutes each side.  While awaiting veggies take avocado and slice it into pieces.  Let chicken rest for 2 minutes.  Plate one piece of chicken topped with avocado, one large spoonful of rice, and grilled veggies. Finish plate with wedge of fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice on all plate.

Note:

This is an amazingly affordable and super nutritious meal for all the family.  We picked up the chicken from Trader Joe’s which was all natural and only used 4 pieces of the 16 piece bag which came in at $1.50 total for the 4 large chicken breasts.  This meal is fast and fresh and filled with healthy nutrients for the whole family.  If you are feeding children they will get a 1/2 plate which comes in at $1.  When cooking the veggies they cook fast you only want a slight sear on the outside without burning them.  They will still be crunchy and firm inside keeping their nutrients intact.  Be sure to spray your pan with olive oil cooking spray so they don’t burn or stick.

Modified from Improv Kitchen’s Recipe

Blueberry Lime Flax Agave Bars
Time: 45 Minutes + 4 Hours to cool completely for best results
Yield: 12 – 16 Bars
(7 Item Recipe)
Naturally Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten Free
Crust Ingredients:
1 stick Vegan Butter
¼ c. agave nectar
1 c. rice flour
1 t. vanilla extract
Filling Ingredients:
12 oz raw organic blueberries
¾ c. organic agave nectar
⅔ c. organic lime juice (8 fresh squeezed limes)
2 T. lime zest (4 organic limes worth)
3 teaspoon of flax seed meal +3/4 Cup water
⅔ c.rice  flour
Crust Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper so you can easily lift the bars out once they’ve cooled.
Take butter and agave mixing together with an electric mixer until a creamy texture appears. Add flour mixing until well distributed.
Take dough in baking pan and press with your hands until it evenly covers the bottom of the dish. Bake for 20 minutes until slightly golden brown.
Directions for filling:
Take blueberries in food processor and blend. Add agave,flax meal mixed with water, lime juice + zest, and flour to the bowl stirring to combine. Pour the mixture into crust (may appear loose, mixture will thicken) and bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Let cool then place in the refrigerator for 4 hours cooling completely.
Note:
You can garnish with fresh blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries, and a lime slice. You can also use any berries you have on hand mixing and matching the combination to appeal to your favorites.  These bars are sweet and tart.  If you prefer a sweeter bar simply add more agave or drizzle more agave on top of the cooled bars before serving.
Modified from VT Marigold Nasturtiums recipe
Summer Rolls with Marigolds and Nasturtiums

Veggie Cilantro Mint Summer Rolls w/ Ginger Agave Sauce

Time: 15 Minutes
Yield: 24 Rolls
(16 Item Recipe)
Naturally RAW, Vegan ,Vegetarian & Gluten Free

Ingredient Sauce:

½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbs. agave nectar
2 tsp. lime juice
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
¼ cup chopped green onions
Ingredients Rolls:
24 8½-inch round rice paper wrappers
1 ½ cups carrot, julienned
½ cup chopped red and yellow bell pepper
½ cup yellow squash, cut into fine thin strips
1 ½ cups  cucumber, julienned
1 ½ cups sunflower sprouts
1 cup thinly sliced on bias green onions
2 2.4-oz. pkg. mung bean threads
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Sauce Directions:
Take vinegar, agave, lime, and cornstarch in saucepan. Stir in garlic and ginger, and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 3 minutes. Cool; stir in green onions.

Directions for Summer Rolls:

Cook mung bean threads according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, drain again.  In a 9-inch round  pan fill with 1 inch hot water. Soak each wrapper in hot water softening each one. Take wrapper pat dry. On a clean work surface arrange 3 Tbs. bean threads over center of wrapper. Top with 1 Tbs. each carrot, cucumber, and sunflower sprouts, then 2 tsp. green onions, 1 tsp.squash, 1 tsp. red pepper, 1/2 tsp. mint, and 1/2 tsp. cilantro. Fold bottom of wrapper over filling, fold in sides, and tightly roll up, burrito-style. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. Serve with Sauce.

Note:

 For an extra-elegant touch, you can replace the yellow squash with squash flowers.
For a beautiful presentation press a whole squash blossom flat against the rice paper wrapper before rolling.
The flower will show through the translucent wrapper. We made these and added asparagus sliced into small strips if large.  If small then you can cut it in half or use the whole piece.  Adds a delicious crunchy taste and texture to this delicious veggie wrap.  Be creative using the veggies you have on hand.  You can mix and match any combination of your favorites to make a wonderfully healthy and delicious wrap.

Modified from VT’s original recipe

Summer Tofu Papaya Avocado Rolls w/ Spicy Peanut Dressing

Summer Salad Rolls with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Yield: Serves 6
(20 Item Recipe)
Time: 30 minutes
Naturally Vegan & Vegetarian

Rice paper wrappers (also sold as spring roll skins) can be found in the Asian section of many markets.
Cut all the filling ingredients about 3 1/2 inches long. Cut crunchy ingredients, like carrots or bell peppers, the thinnest;
slice softer ones, like cucumbers, thicker. If making ahead, place rolls in a plastic container, cover with a damp towel and seal tightly.
They will keep at room temperature up to 3 hours. The sauce can be made up to 1 week ahead and refrigerated.
SPICY PEANUT DRESSING
  • ½ cup firm tofu
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ¼ cup reduced-fat peanut butter
  • 1 ½ Tbs. Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon organic Agave Nectar
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh ginger
  • 1 small clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp. crushed red pepper

SUMMER SALAD ROLLS

  • 12 8-inch round rice paper wrappers
  • 12 leaves Boston lettuce, thick ribs removed
  • 8 oz. raw or pan seared tofu, cut into 24 strips
  • ¼ cucumber, cut into thin strips
  • 2 carrots, cut into thin strips
  • 1 small, firm, ripe papaya (red or yellow flesh), seeded, peeled and cut into thin strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
  • 1 ripe Hass avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into thin strips
  • ½ cup cilantro leaves plus sprigs for garnish
  • ½ cup mint leaves plus sprigs for garnish
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges for garnish

To make Spicy Peanut Dressing:

Purée all ingredients, except lime juice and crushed red pepper, in blender until smooth.
Pour into small pitcher or bowl; stir in lime juice and crushed red pepper.

To make Summer Salad Rolls:

Fill bowl with hot water; immerse wrappers, 2 at a time, until soft, about 1 minute. Stack wrappers in 2 piles with damp paper towels between the wrappers.  Lay lettuce leaf on lower third of rice wrapper, lining up both edges. Arrange 3 or 4 strips each of tofu, cucumber, carrot, papaya, bell pepper and avocado in center of lettuce; top with sprinkling of cilantro and mint. Starting at closest edge, lift edges of wrapper and lettuce up and over filling, then fold in sides. Roll into tight cylinder like a burrito. Place roll, seam side down, on platter, and cover with a damp towel. Repeat with remaining wrappers. Garnish with lime wedges, and serve with Spicy Peanut Sauce.

Simple Summer Foot Soak

Kindly shared by Brooke Mclay

summerfootsoak Simple Summer Foot Soak

With the seasons of flip-flops and bare feet laying at our doors, isn’t it time you start treating your toesies right?
This simple foot soak is a surefire way to freshen up your feet in minutes, get relaxed, and prepare for a homemade pedicure.
It’s a downright lovely way to start your summer feet off on…the right foot. Just mix, soak, and get fresh!

 Simple Summer Foot Soak

2-3 quarts warm water
2 tablespoons epsom salt
1 lime, sliced
3 drops high-quality peppermint essential oil
rose petals (optional)

Directions:

Place warm water in a large basin. Mix in epsom salt, lime, and peppermint essential oil.
Sprinkle with rose petals, if desired. Soak feet for 10-15 minutes for a quick, easy refresher for your feet.

How Alkaline is Your Diet?

11 Foods to Try!

Brought to us by the lovely

babble alkaline foods ph How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

Alkaline food

Alkaline foods and their role in reducing inflammation in the body has been a hot topic in recent years.
A diet rich in alkaline foods helps reduces inflammation in the body.
Everyone from Dr.Oz to Oprah has been buzzing about the negative effects inflammation can have on our bodies.
Simply put, inflammation is a natural ‘first-aid’ response by our body – usually in response to trauma, stress and more.
However, chronic inflammation can negatively impact your health.
Experts like Dr. Oz seem to agree that one of the first ways to reduce inflammation is by assessing your diet and adding in alkaline foods and removing the acid ones. Your goal is to increase the pH level of your body. Here are 11 foods and recipes to match, which can help you do that!..

Dr. Oz says, “Inflammation, a process meant to heal, can often become a danger;
chronic inflammation causes heart attacks, stroke – and even cancer.
How can you prevent this first-aid response from becoming a first-line attacker?”

Dr. Oz offers advice regarding Omega Fatty Acids and more. His tips on DoctorOz.com

The Scale. The acid -> alkaline scale goes from high to low.
High pH foods are more alkaline than low pH. The food pH scale generally runs from 3.0-10.0.

01 alkaline foods recipes 01 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe melon is not only rich in vitamin A and potassium – but quite alkaline at about pH 8.5.
Enjoy cantaloupe on its own or try it juiced in your juicer!
02 alkaline foods recipes 02 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
Alfalfa Sprouts
Crunchy, zesty alfalfa sprouts are rich in vitamins C and K and they also have about 8.5 pH.
Stuff these wonderful greens into a sandwich or sprinkle over top a salad.
**Attractingwellness.net writes – My personal favorite sprouts are sunflower sprouts.
If you haven’t tried them you should definitely pick some up they go great on salads, sandwiches and as a topper to any meal.
They are packed with nutrition and also make a great snack.
03 alkaline foods recipes 03 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
Lime
You might intuitively think that all citrus must be acidic.
But even though a food is acidic outside the body doesn’t mean it will have the same effect on the body when digested.
Limes (and lemons) actually have an alkalizing effect.
Limes are pH 8.5. So squirt some in your water or over top your next salad or sandwich or toss some fruit in lime juice.
Make a Tropical Lime Fruit Salad.
04 alkaline foods recipes 04 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
 
 Mango
Mangoes are sweet, juicy, rich in vitamins C and A, potassium and more.
Their pH is about 8.5. Pair mango with alkaline avocado for a super alkaline combo!
05 alkaline foods recipes 05 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
Kiwi
Kiwis are rich in vitamin C and carry a zesty, perky flavor.
I love blending them into smoothies like this one. Kiwis carry a pH of about 8.6.
Make Kiwi Basil Smoothie, recipe at Healthy. Happy. Life.
06 alkaline foods recipes 06 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

 Melon

Melon in general is a very alkaline food – it is also usually rich in potassium, fiber, water (hydrating) and other nutrients.
07 alkaline foods recipes 07 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
Papaya
Papaya is a creamy, sweet, nutrient-rich, papain-rich alkaline fruit.
The pH is about 8.5.
You can enjoy papaya fresh as is or dress it with a bit of maple syrup, lime juice and dash of alkaline cayenne.
Make a fresh papaya lime bowl.
08 alkaline foods recipes 08 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!
Tangerine
Sassy sweet tangerines are rich in vitamin C and fiber and with a pH of about 8.5 you will want to add this vibrant fruit to your day.
And for comparison, oranges have good pH as well at about 7.6.
Make a Tangerine Spinach Tempeh Salad.
09 alkaline foods recipes 09 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

 Watermelon

Watermelon is an alkaline superstar with a pH of about 8.8.
Fresh, sweet watermelon is also low in calories and rich in vitamins A and C and lycopene.
Make a Tofu “Feta” Watermelon Basil Salad, recipe at Healthy. Happy. Life.
10 alkaline foods recipes 10 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

 Lemon

Use fresh lemons to make a lemon beverage and you will be alkalizing your body with every sip.
Lemon carries a pH of about 9.0! It might seem strange that lemons are alkalizing – but they are.
Make a Pink Lemonade Frosty.
11 alkaline foods recipes 11 How Alkaline is Your Diet? 11 Foods to Try!

 Pineapple

Pineapples with a pH of about 8.5 are also rich in fiber, vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain.
Their sweet and juicy flavor make them an alkaline fruit to crave!
Make a Pineapple Tahini Wrap.

This recipe has been adapted, modified, and inspired from Chef Chloe’s standard Avocado Pesto

Avocado & Parsley Pesto w/ Cilantro & Lime 

Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4-5 Servings
(12 Item Recipe)
Naturally Vegan & Vegetarian

Ingredients:

1 pound organic whole wheat linguine
1 bunch fresh organic basil, reserve some leaves for garnish
1/4 cup fresh organic parsley
1/4 cup fresh organic cilantro
½ cup organic pine nuts
2 organic avocados, pitted and peeled
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 cloves organic garlic
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or sliced sun-dried tomatoes (optional)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add linguine cooking according to package. Drain and set aside.

Now begin the pesto by combining basil, cilantro, parsley, pine nuts, avocados, lime juice, garlic, and oil in a food processor. Process until smooth. Top with freshly ground pepper and sea salt.

Take hot pasta and toss with fresh pesto. Top each plate with several sprigs of basil. Enjoy!

Note – Nice Additional Touches:

For an extra touch you can top the meal with sun dried tomatoes in olive oil or fresh roasted red peppers.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 569 other followers