Smart Health Talk - Organic Recipe Blog

Safe and Organic Tuna Tacos

3/19/2019

Tuna Tacos Without the Mercury or Pesticides

1 can Wild Planet Albacore Tuna
Organic Corn Tortillas like Mi Rancho
Grated Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Thinly Sliced Cabbage
Diced Onions
Organic Chopped Tomatoes in Season (not necessary)
Organic Paprika
Organic Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Sauce:
1/4 Cup Organic Mayonnaise
1/4 Cup Ketchup
1/4 Cup Honey
2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce (optional)
1 Lime Cut in Wedges

How to Prepare:
Tuna:
Empty can of Tuna including all the juice in a bowl and use a fork to separate into small pieces. Add 1/4 -1/2 tsp paprika and red pepper flakes tuna and stir it in.

Sauce:
Mix mayonnaise, ketchup and honey until smooth.

Cheese:
Grate cheese if not pre grated.

Veggies:
Cut them so in small sizes.

Tortilla:
We warm tortillas on a gas burner. If don't have that use a pan. We like to put organic grassfed butter on our tortilla after heated to keep it soft plus it tastes so good together.

After the tortilla is heated, fold in half and put about 2 Tablespoons of tuna down the middle, add cheese, onions, cabbage and tomato. Drizzle with the sauce. If want it more spicy, can add some hot sauce when making the sauce.

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Old Fashioned Organic Peanut Brittle

11/20/2018

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Old Fashion Peanut Brittle

You'll need a "Candy Thermometer" that can go up to 300 degrees. Also needed is a couple of cookie sheets or pans to spread the peanut brittle after it is done Thoroughly butter all sides of these pans or the peanut brittle will stick! Things get very difficult if the peanut brittle sticks to the pan. Some say put the pan in the freezer, but I don't want it cooling too quickly since not too fast at spreading yet.

Recipe:
2 Cups Organic Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Organic Light Corn Syrup (avoid GMOs/pesticides)
1/4 Cup of Organic Butter*
1/2 Cup of Water

2 1/2 cups of raw nuts (can be all peanuts or mix of peanuts and almonds or combo with cashews, pecans, macadamia, pistachio, pumpkin seeds (slightly toasted)
1 1/2 teaspoons of Fair Trade Vanilla
2 teaspoons of Baking Soda

*See our product recommendations below where we outline why we think your butter choice can impact your success.

Combine all of these ingredients, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and water into a saucepan. Stir over medium heat to combine ingredients and then leave pan until it starts boiling.

Leave on medium low heat or whatever it takes to have a slow consistent boil. Now is when you will be needing that candy thermometer. Plan on the next step taking about 25-35 minutes at least, maybe longer. You are going to have to keep checking until it 275 degrees. This is also known as the soft-crack stage.

NOW ADD 2 1/2 CUPS OF RAW ORGANIC PEANUTS. You can find them on Amazon. Stir just until combined. Bring it back to that semi low consistent boil. Plan on another 20 minutes for the next stage.

Keep checking with you candy thermometer. You will want it at 295-300 degrees. When you get there, turn off the burner and take the pan off the heat.

DON'T DO WHAT WE DID THE FIRST TIME AND FORGET THAT YOU NOW HAVE TO ADD THE VANILLA AND BAKING SODA!

Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla and quickly mix in because time is ticking before it hardens. Won't take long. Next sprinkle one teaspoon of baking soda, stir a little, then add the other teaspoon of baking soda.

Have a butter spatula ready to transfer peanut brittle to one pan or two for spreading.

IF USING TWO PANS, DO NOT PUT SOME ON ONE PAN, SPREAD IT, AND THEN TRY AND GET THE REST OUT OF THE PAN ONTO THE OTHER TRAY FOR SPREADING!

Instead remove all peanut brittle from the pan right away, then spread. Otherwise you will have a very hard time getting cooled peanut brittle out of that pan. Soak in really hot water to wash hardened candy off pans and utensils.

Spread as thin as you can. Thicker brittle is not better. If you waste too much time spreading, it can get softer and harder to eat.

Let the brittle cool and then break into pieces.

We found some really cute cookie/candy holiday boxes at the 99 Cent Store. Great gift for the holidays!

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Organic Pasture Grass fed High Fat Butter like Organic Valley.
Why we think you should be picky about your butter. We were having trouble getting the brittle crispy so tried a higher temperature and seemed to help, but was close to burning the nuts. Then we remembered the butter we were using was the store brand called Cadia and had noticed moisture when had melted some in a pan. The other problem I was having was the brittle was sticking to the surface where I spread it and tried different pans/surfaces including granite. It was when I compared how the pasture butter felt on the granite compared to the other butter that I realized that it stuck because the moisture left streaks so no fat to keep the brittle from sticking.

Wholesome Sweeteners or Trader Joe's Organic Corn Syrup and Granulated Syrup
Our gov't allows field and sweet corn to be GMO now so any corn syrup product that is not organic can be GMO.
Those are the two go twos unless Wholesome Sweeteners is co packing for another company.

Always Make Your Vanilla Fair Trade. Organic Fair Trade is Even Better!

Singing Dog Vanilla comes with a vanilla bean in their bottle of extract and makes an incredible vanilla bean paste as well as other products.

Simply Organic is a company we have trusted for decades wide variety of products and is part of Frontier our next choice.

Frontier has also been around for decades and is highly trusted stewards of the earth. You can even register with them as a co op for group discounts. Such integrity and a wide variety of spices and products.

Flavorganics is a company that you will want to explore for all of the incredible flavors they offer and no pesticides or artificial anything!

Use the best and eat less.

This is how much we got from this recipe.

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Peanut Brittle Chip Cookies

11/20/2018

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Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare cookie sheets with butter or parchment paper.

1 Cup Organic Butter (2 sticks)
2 tsps Chia Seeds
3/4 Cup Organic Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup Organic Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 tsps Organic/Fair Trade Vanilla
1 Organic Egg
1 Cup Crushed Organic Peanut Brittle
Blend these ingredients with a spoon or hand mixer making sure to just combine ingredients and not whip/mix too much.

Have these ingredients ready in a bowl already mixed together. Mix all ingredients together.
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
2 1/4 Cups Organic All Purpose Flour

Can make whatever size you want. Roll into a ball and then flatten a little. Place on buttered/coated cookie sheet or parchment paper.

Cook at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until the edges start to turn light brown.

Let cool for about 5-10 minutes and then move to plate or storage container. Can also wrap in cloth if want to avoid all plastic.

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VEGAN PINK DRAGON FRUIT LAYER CAKE

10/15/2016

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VEGAN PINK DRAGON FRUIT LAYER CAKE

CLICK TO FIND MORE RAINBOW NOURISHMENTS VEGAN RECIPES

HOW A DRAGON FRUIT GROWS
IT TOOK THIS PLANT 8 YEARS TO START PRODUCING

From this bright yellow flower......

Comes one of the most interesting fruit on the planet!

After you cut dragon fruit you get the big surprise. Comes in two colors.

WHY BUY FROM A LOCAL FARMERS MARKET?

Save money at the farmers market and get fresher organic produce. Dragon
fruit was $3.99/lb at the farmers market and $5.99/lb at the local Whole Foods.

Hawaii is notorious for high food prices since most of it is shipped in from the mainland United States so transportation adds much to the cost.

Hawaii has the perfect growing weather year round and show not have to ship hardly anything in from the mainland since they could grow their own.

What is blocking Hawaii from being self sufficient is the fact their fields have been taken over by big corporate farming operations such as Dole Fruit.

Most important of all is that many of the Hawaiian Islands have become the hub for GMO seed and pesticide research. Large chunks of land are used for that and the toxin are going into the environment and poisoning people, animals, wildlife, water, soil, the ocean, and other food grown.

These "research farms can be right across the street from schools. Children and school staff are regularly exposed to these experimental toxins and get sick, nausea, headaches, nose bleeds and even go unconscious. Needs to stop.

The local farmers should be allowed to grow food for the locals and visitors.

Anyone can find a local farmer or farmers market at EatLocalGrown.com

Get to know one of the local farmers in Hawaii that can be found at any of the many farmers markets sponsored by the islands.

Join us on PINTEREST!

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Eggs Cooked in Salsa Saves 100s of Calories

4/2/2016

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Save 100s of calories with this low fat option for cooking your eggs that includes your favorite salsa! You can eat more food when you cook eggs in salsa versus in oil which adds 100 calories a Tablespoon so more satisfied and salsa has Vitamin C which helps bring the iron into your cells!

Anyone can cook eggs in salsa because it's so easy. Just pour enough salsa to coat the bottom of the pan and then crack your eggs. Cook entire desired yolk hardness. You can turn them over, but we prefer to just add a lid.

On of our top Salsa picks is Drew's Organic Salsa. Not only is the taste and ingredients superior, but they have so many great flavors to choose from. Purchase by the case because you know it will be eaten and not wasted! Drew's does co packing for other companies too, so they are not really even the maker. When you look at the pesticides that are used on tomatoes and peppers, and the harm they can cause to humans and wildlife (view our report from Janet Hoy), you see the little extra you pay for organic is soooo worth it! Check out all the flavors including their new HOT varieties here: Drew's Organic Salsas

Whether it is Green or Red Salsa it is always delicious. We use farm fresh organic eggs we buy farmer direct at our local Farmer's Market. Find a local market or farmer at Eat Local Grown. Just type in your zip code and they will give you a complete list.

We like the whites solid and yolk soft so this was the stage we cooked our eggs. Best to adjust the temperature so you have a low boil. You don't want them to cook too quickly. With a higher heat you can risk burning the salsa.

TRY SOME STACKERS. After you remove the eggs, you can put some organic tortillas in the salsa and heat them too and again avoid using oil. We had some homemade pinto beans, but also use navy white beans (small ones). Stack with tortillas, beans, salsa, and cheese if you want. Choose organic cheese. So much cheese has cellulose fillers and lacks flavor so people over eat. Cheese is 100 calories an ounce! Doesn't take long to eat an ounce and why it is important to pay a little more for the cheese with real flavor, the organic and if possible artisan varieties. You will be satisfied with less. We really love cheese!

Here is another great way to serve and eat your eggs cooked in salsa. With cooked navy beans drizzled in half and half or pure creme (we use Organic Valley or Straus), topped with some chopped onions. We like to heat our tortilla on a gas burner, but you can also steam them and save oil calories. You can butter the tortilla for extra flavor and Omega 3s if you choose Organic Valley grassfed. Makes it softer and more flavorful. A little oil can be good for keeping you full and getting your essential fatty acids which are essential because good fat is part of every cell in our body. If not organic, chances are GMO and/or cancer causing pesticide contaminated. Yuk!

This is a well balanced meal that includes a couple of great sources of protein, vegetables and Vitamin C, grains, and FIBER. Something most people don't get anywhere close to the daily recommendation of 28-35 gms/day. Eat less and go more. Beans are good for that.

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Organic Alcoholic Choices for Holidays and Everyday

12/29/2015

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Thanks to Frontier Co op we can all have access to all kinds of organic herbs, spices, roots, barks, and much more hard to find options.

Click logo to visit Frontier Co op website

NEW ORLEANS SNOBALL COCKTAIL
Like the New Orleans SnoBall, a confection made with finely shaved, fluffy ice rather than the course, crunchy ice characteristic of a snow cone, this cocktail has a base and a “floater" and maintains its rich flavor all the way through. The spicy dark rum and condensed coffee play a decadent role against the creamy, sweet coconut milk. You can serve it mixed or layered. Either way it's a delicious finale to a beautiful dinner or a fun, festive drink for a party.
Ingredients
Cocktail Base and Topper
1 1/2 ounces Vanilla and Cinnamon Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
1 1/2 ounces condensed coffee
2 ounces dark spiced rum
1 1/2 ounces canned coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon Frontier Coconut Flavor
1/2 teaspoon Frontier Papua New Guinea Vanilla Extract
1 tablespoon Frontier Organic Cane Sugar

Vanilla and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1 cup Frontier Organic Cane Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Frontier Papua New Guinea Vanilla Extract
3 Frontier Vietnamese Cinnamon Sticks

Directions
For the cocktail base and topper:
1. Refrigerate coconut milk for at least 15 minutes while assembling the remaining ingredients.
2. Into a shaker, pour simple syrup, condensed coffee and spiced rum. Gently shake to mix.
3. Into a medium bowl, slowly pour the chilled coconut milk, being careful not to pour out the water, which will have separated from the milk during the cooling process.
4. Add coconut extract, vanilla extract and cane sugar. Whisk until the mixture is well combined and slightly thicker.
5. Fill glass with shaved ice. Pour the cocktail ingredients into the middle of the glass slowly until half full. Top with coconut mixture and simple syrup. Garnish with shaved dark chocolate.

For the simple syrup:
1. In a small pot, combine sugar and water, bring to a boil and let simmer until sugar is dissolved.
2. Place 3 cinnamon sticks into mixture, add vanilla extract, cover and let sit overnight.
3. Store syrup in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 month.
PRINT OUT THE RECIPE

DOG DAYS OLD FASHIONED
This spicy and tropical libation is a great introduction to the world of old-fashioned bourbon cocktails. It mixes elements of summer and fall with a heat and smokiness that lingers and plays perfectly against the lime.
Ingredients
Old Fashioned
1 1/2 ounces fine bourbon
1 ounce Crystallized Ginger Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
1 ounce lime
6 dashes Peychaud bitters
1 tablespoon Frontier Organic Cane Sugar
1 tablespoon Frontier Alder Smoked Salt

Crystallized Ginger Simple Syrup
2 cups water
1 cup Frontier Crystallized Ginger, chopped
1 1/4 cups Frontier Organic Cane Sugar

Mulled Spice Ice Cubes
2 cups water
2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
1 1/5 ounces Frontier Cider Mate Mulling Spice

Directions
For the Old Fashioned:
1. In a cocktail shaker, mix bourbon, simple syrup, lime and bitters. Fill shaker with ice cubes and shake for 30 seconds or until shaker becomes frosty.
2. Rim an Old Fashioned glass with a wedge of lime. On a medium-size salad plate, mix the salt and sugar and gently turn the glass in the mixture.

For the ice cubes:
1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
2. Add lemon juice and mulling spice. Place cover on pan and let simmer 10 minutes.
3. Strain spices and pour liquid in ice cube tray. Freeze until solid.

For the simple syrup:
1. Combine water and ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and let sit for 1 hour.
2. Turn off heat, stir in sugar and let steep until cool, about 1 1/2 hours.
3. Strain liquid through a fine mesh sieve or strainer into an airtight, sterile jar.
4. Store syrup in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 month.
PRINT OUT THE RECIPE

DAIRY-FREE COCONUT EGGNOG
A rich, comforting drink, eggnog is like a Christmas cookie in a glass. The eggnog tradition began in 17th-century well-to-do European social gatherings as an adaptation of various milk and wine punches. Eggs and milk were scarce commodities in Europe, and you can thank the American colonists for the addition of rum when it was brought to the New World. Enjoy this dairy-free version of a classic holiday favorite!
Ingredients
2 cans (13-ounces each) first pressed coconut milk
6 Frontier Organic Whole Cardamom Pods
1 Frontier Organic Cinnamon Stick
5 Frontier Organic Allspice
1 whole Frontier Organic Vanilla Bean, cut in half lengthwise
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup Frontier Organic Cane Sugar
4 egg whites
1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
Frontier Organic Nutmeg
2/3 cup bourbon, brandy or aged rum (optional)

Directions
1. Combine the coconut milk and spices in a heavy-bottomed pan and bring to a simmer. In a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until the yolks lighten in color.
2. Stirring constantly, add 1/2 cup of hot coconut mixture to the yolks to temper (adding a little at a time to gently heat); once combined, add back to hot coconut mixture. Stir until mixture reaches 160 degrees or thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.
3. Remove from heat, strain out the spices and chill. If desired, stir in the spirit at this time.
4. When ready to serve, whisk the egg whites and 1 tablespoon sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold in the custard and pour into glasses. Top with grated nutmeg.
PRINT OUT THE RECIPE

YES HIGH QUALITY ORGANIC ALCOHOL IS A CHOICE THANKS TO THESE GREAT COMPANIES. LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES!

Go to GreenBar Distillery

Click for larger image

Choose Organic Spirits:

Frey Wine GreenBar Distilleries Medocino Brew

It is hard to appreciate the quality and taste you get from organic spirits until you have tried them yourself. Some may think because spirits are distilled it does matter, but it does! There is more than the eye can see in that bottle! Frey Vineyard, the first certified organic and Non GMO vineyard in the country has been practicing the organic and biodynamic (a step higher than organic) for over 40 years. They became certified GMO because there are GMO yeast and other ingredients such as sulfites that can be added to wine. They have won many awards over the years and rightfully so.

My personal opinion, which I think is an objective one since have had the opportunity to try some really great wines before, is that your are getting the best bargain in the store when you buy Frey Organic Wine. Silver Oak, Cakebread, and other high end wines that can cost upward of $100 a bottle are not even as good in my opinion. Of course I'm not an expert, but that is probably even more reason to not waste your money when you can avoid pesticides and who knows what else as alcoholic products and mixers are not required to list ingredients on the label.

Mendocino Brewery has been making beer since the 1980s and we appreciate the fact they have included an organic choice in their line up. They have went the extra mile to offer that choice along with many others that could keep a beer lover busy for awhile trying them. They have a location in NYC as well.

GreenBar Collaborative/Distillery is something special. Probably the biggest operation of it's kind in the country because the make a whole line up of spirits, bitter, and liquors. They cut about 2,000 lemons for the skin just to make a batch of their lemon vodka, and those lemons come from a local organic farmer. They make several vodkas, two whiskeys clear and dark, gin, tequila, 4 bitters, and 4 liquors. You can use some of the their products like the bitters for cooking as well to flavor all kinds of things with the concentrated flavor! Located in Los Angeles they host events and do tours at their facilities on weekends.

Another Smart Health Talk Top Organic Pick

Click here to go to their website for recipes.

Follow Ocean Vodka on Instagram

Enjoyed Ocean Vodka poolside ourselves!

Enjoying @OceanVodka @Marriott Beach Resort KoOlina. #Organic vodka from Maui made with #organic cane sugar and pure mineral water from deep in the ocean from Greenland glaciers. @Honest #OrganIc Watermelon #lemonade and an orchid. Loving Hawaii! Listen to our interview from yesterday 9-8-15 with @OceanVodka CEO @KCAARadio website. Podcast under Tuesday 7:00 pm OUR NEW TIME SND DAY!

A photo posted by Elaine McFadden, MPH, RD (@smarthealthtalk) on Sep 9, 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

Our Instagram Video for Ocean Vodka

Try this @oceanvodka for a new cocktail experience. #Organic sugar cane and deep ocean water distilled to perfection in Maui.

Enjoy our Hawaiian Interview with Ocean Vodka Founder

Ocean Vodka is one of the few organic sugar cane growers in all of Hawaii. They are based on the island of Maui where they grew up. They are dedicated to the highest quality and purest product as well as keeping many varieties of sugar cane growing on their property that might be lost forever so their property is also a preserve.

Please find Smart Health Talk on Pinterest! We have all kinds of great beverage and alcoholic drink suggestions that you can use with these incredible organic spirits and extras for that special touch. Consider making your own fresh juices, and shopping at a farmers market for the freshest ingredients. Extras like mint and basil can be easily grown in a pot or garden. Find a farmers market at: EatLocalGrown.com

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Oatmeal Persimmon Cookies

11/2/2015

Our wonderful organic ingredients!

Oatmeal Persimmon Cookies
3/4 cup shortening - Nutiva Coconut
1 cup brown sugar (packed) - Trader Joes
1/2 cup granulated sugar - Full Circle Cane Sugar
1 egg - Fresh from the Farmer Market
2/3 cup canned pumpkin - Pembrook Pacific Northwest
1 teaspoon vanilla - Madagascar Bourbon
1 teaspoon salt - Real Salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon - Engage Organics
1/2 teaspoon cloves - Frontier Co op
1/2 teaspoon baking soda - Arm and Hammer
6 packages quick oatmeal - Nature's Path Oatmeal w/Flax
1/2 cup raisins - Clark's Nutrition Bulk Currents
1/2 cup chopped walnuts - Farmers Market
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds - Fresh gift from neighbor's tree
1/2 cup persimmons - Fresh gift from neighbor's tree
1 cup flour - Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Unbleached White

Turn on the oven to 350℉

Get your cookie sheets ready. We tried both La Tourangelle Organic Canola Oil Spray for one sheet and parchment paper for another. Both worked great!

Mix together either with a spoon or electric mixer the shortening, sugars, egg, canned pumpkin, and vanilla until it is fully mixed and fluffy.

Next add the salt, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda and use mixer to thoroughly mix. Add the six packets of quick oatmeal and mix with a spoon by hand until combined. Set aside and let the oatmeal soak up some of the moisture. DON'T add the flour yet!

While those ingredients are sitting in the bowl, get your fruit and nuts ready to add. Cut the meat of the persimmons by going around the fruit and then cut off bottom. Cut just to the seeds. Then cut those pieces in much smaller little pieces. About as big as a currant raisin. The walnuts should also be chopped in small pieces.

Cut the pomegranate in quarters and remove the seeds.

Now mix the fruit and nuts in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Add the flour last. Start with a half cup and then slowly add the rest only if you need it all. Pay attention to keep it moist. Especially if adding the Nutiva Coconut shortening. If add too much flour will get dry on day two.

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet, and pop into the oven. Cook in the middle or a little bit lower in the oven since you want to cook more from the bottom up than the top down which will help to retain moisture but cook the dough.

Leave in the oven around 12 to 15 minutes. You know it's time to take them out if they are brown on the bottom. If touch the top of the cookie, should not be too mushy, but feel a little firm like it has been cooked and some firmness but still soft.

Take from the oven and the carefully move from the cookie sheet to a plate or place to cool. Don't leave on the cookie sheet or will continue to cook and loose more moisture.

When cookie are cooled store in an airtight container.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Organic Gummie Star Cookies

5/10/2015

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We combined two of our favorite snacks that taste great together and can be fun to make and eat for everyday or a special occasion. Perfect for children of all ages!

These organic mini star cookies are made with simple ingredients and come in single serving bags.

Organic fruit gummies are come in different flavors and shapes with no artificial colors or flavors.

These are really simple to make. You glue the gummies on the cookies with a mixture of powered sugar and milk or water. Just add enough liquid

The Gummie Star Cookies make a great display for parties and holiday. They are fast and easy to make too!

This is what you need to get started.

Here is the formula to make the "glue" to hold the gummies on the cookies. Be sure to press the gummies down with some pressure so they stay on tight.

Watch the video and see us make the cookies.

We added a border of Tasty Brand cookies. They are all good!

Follow our "Special Treats" Board on Pinterest!

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Quick Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes

5/8/2015

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What you will need for this recipe:

Heirloom Cherokee Organic Purple Tomatoes
Whole Milk Mozzarella Ball in Water
Sweet Organic Onion
Fresh Organic Basil Leaves
Sea Salt - Good Quality
Organic Black Pepper
Extra Virgin Unfiltered Cold Pressed Organic Olive Oil
Organic Balsamic Vinegar

Preparation:

Slice the tomatoes and sprinkle each slice with the sea salt.
Thinly slice sweet onion to release flavor and allow more flavor to be infused into the tomato. It is better to have two thin slices than one thick slice if you want it to be easier to cut and eat, but if you like onions a lot you might want the thicker slice.
Remove basil leaves from stem.
Slice whole milk mozzarella balls so three pieces.

Prepare the servings:

Place a tomato slice on a plate.
Top the tomato with one thick slice or two thin slices of the sweet onion.
Place basil leaves on top of onion.
Arrange four pieces of cheese on top of the basil.
Sprinkle a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and then a few dots of balsamic vinegar.
Add a dash of pepper.
Don't forget the secret ingredient love.

Organic Ingredient Suggestions

With the variety Global Gardens Organic Balsamic Vinegars, the only limit is your imagination! See our interview with owner Theo Stephan and their full line of products here.

O California Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is cold pressed and unfiltered to preserve every precious nutrient.

Redmond Real Salt comes from a mountain in Utah that used to be under the ocean millions of years ago. The salt is pure and full of minerals. Other salt baked at 2,000 degrees for industrial purposes and change molecular structure.

This can of Simply Organic Black Pepper is my favorite. Grew up with the can so familiar. No pesticides or irradiation like non organic versions.

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Adding Color to Eggs

4/9/2015

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Set out to answer some egg coloring questions we had wondered about for awhile. Results of our research.

We decided to take on some challenges for dying eggs. Our eggs were already different colors, not just white. Some very dark brown. We love getting this colorful assortment every week as part of our CSA delivery.

Had always wanted to try and dye and egg with red beet juice, and had some plant based dyes that had wanted to try for this purpose.

Cooked some beets in water and then removed cooked beets.

Used that water first and then returned to pan and reduced further so more concentrated. Wanted to see if you could get a darker color on the egg, and found that even after the second dip in a more concentrated beet juice color, there appeared to be a saturation point and really didn't get much darker.

We had added a little salt and rice vinegar to the beet water when cooking the beets so that might have helped the egg absorb the color. Was pleased with the effect.

Played around with different situations for getting more color with the Color Garden plant based dyes. Added vinegar and salt, reheated, and various other techniques. Think vinegar may work with some colors better than others. Same with reheating so really warm when you dip the egg in the color. Will ask Color Garden directly if they have any advise I can add to this blog.

Organic farm fresh eggs are the best protein bargain.

We started with farm direct organic eggs. Search website EatLocalGrown.com to find a farmer, farmers market, or community sustainable agriculture (CSA) which is a local farmer that gives you and other families a "share" of their crop for the week for a regular fee. Everyone buys into what the farmer can have to harvest and get a part of it each week freshly picked and farm direct for a lower cost. Many deliver to your home or business.

Go here if you want to learn about one way to cook your eggs that might improve peeling. Just when we think we've got the answer to easy peeling, an egg proves us wrong so we can only offer suggestions.

Some of the Color Garden dye in a small bowl with a little water and/or vinegar (we used rice vinegar) and option to add a little salt. We welcome any feedback if you have decovered a science we don't know about. We used the beet juice too, and thought about using turmeric, and other veggies, but seemed like a lot of work at the time, and wanted to save my organic turmeric for use as a spice.

We had fun coloring eggs using Color Garden, and would like to try using these plant based colors in other cooking projects. There are more colors and would like to add blue to my collection. Want to at least one of every color You can see what they have here: Go to Color Garden

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Elaine McFadden, MPH, RD, Host Smart Health Talk Radio Show

With many years of experience with organic farming, produce, and manufacturing, Elaine McFadden wanted to use her experience to help educate consumers to help make the kind of choices for their family that supports health and prevents disease. It is harder than ever to shop for food and know what is safe.

Safe and Organic Tuna Tacos

Tuna Tacos Without the Mercury or Pesticides

Old Fashioned Organic Peanut Brittle

Old Fashion Peanut Brittle

Peanut Brittle Chip Cookies

Recipe

VEGAN PINK DRAGON FRUIT LAYER CAKE

VEGAN PINK DRAGON FRUIT LAYER CAKE

HOW A DRAGON FRUIT GROWS
IT TOOK THIS PLANT 8 YEARS TO START PRODUCING

WHY BUY FROM A LOCAL FARMERS MARKET?

Get to know one of the local farmers in Hawaii that can be found at any of the many farmers markets sponsored by the islands.

Join us on PINTEREST!

Eggs Cooked in Salsa Saves 100s of Calories

Save 100s of calories with this low fat option for cooking your eggs that includes your favorite salsa! You can eat more food when you cook eggs in salsa versus in oil which adds 100 calories a Tablespoon so more satisfied and salsa has Vitamin C which helps bring the iron into your cells!

Anyone can cook eggs in salsa because it's so easy. Just pour enough salsa to coat the bottom of the pan and then crack your eggs. Cook entire desired yolk hardness. You can turn them over, but we prefer to just add a lid.

Organic Alcoholic Choices for Holidays and Everyday

Thanks to Frontier Co op we can all have access to all kinds of organic herbs, spices, roots, barks, and much more hard to find options.

YES HIGH QUALITY ORGANIC ALCOHOL IS A CHOICE THANKS TO THESE GREAT COMPANIES. LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES!

Choose Organic Spirits:

Frey Wine GreenBar Distilleries Medocino Brew

Another Smart Health Talk Top Organic Pick

Enjoy our Hawaiian Interview with Ocean Vodka Founder

Oatmeal Persimmon Cookies

Our wonderful organic ingredients!

Organic Gummie Star Cookies

We combined two of our favorite snacks that taste great together and can be fun to make and eat for everyday or a special occasion. Perfect for children of all ages!

These organic mini star cookies are made with simple ingredients and come in single serving bags.

Organic fruit gummies are come in different flavors and shapes with no artificial colors or flavors.

These are really simple to make. You glue the gummies on the cookies with a mixture of powered sugar and milk or water. Just add enough liquid

The Gummie Star Cookies make a great display for parties and holiday. They are fast and easy to make too!

Quick Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes

Organic Ingredient Suggestions

Adding Color to Eggs

Set out to answer some egg coloring questions we had wondered about for awhile. Results of our research.

Organic farm fresh eggs are the best protein bargain.

Elaine McFadden, MPH, RD, Host Smart Health Talk Radio Show

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Tuna Tacos Without the Mercury or Pesticides

Old Fashion Peanut Brittle

Recipe

VEGAN PINK DRAGON FRUIT LAYER CAKE

HOW A DRAGON FRUIT GROWS IT TOOK THIS PLANT 8 YEARS TO START PRODUCING

WHY BUY FROM A LOCAL FARMERS MARKET?

Get to know one of the local farmers in Hawaii that can be found at any of the many farmers markets sponsored by the islands.

Save 100s of calories with this low fat option for cooking your eggs that includes your favorite salsa! You can eat more food when you cook eggs in salsa versus in oil which adds 100 calories a Tablespoon so more satisfied and salsa has Vitamin C which helps bring the iron into your cells!

Anyone can cook eggs in salsa because it's so easy. Just pour enough salsa to coat the bottom of the pan and then crack your eggs. Cook entire desired yolk hardness. You can turn them over, but we prefer to just add a lid.

Thanks to Frontier Co op we can all have access to all kinds of organic herbs, spices, roots, barks, and much more hard to find options.

YES HIGH QUALITY ORGANIC ALCOHOL IS A CHOICE THANKS TO THESE GREAT COMPANIES. LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES!

Choose Organic Spirits:

​Frey Wine GreenBar Distilleries Medocino Brew

Another Smart Health Talk Top Organic Pick

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Enjoy our Hawaiian Interview with Ocean Vodka Founder

Our wonderful organic ingredients!

We combined two of our favorite snacks that taste great together and can be fun to make and eat for everyday or a special occasion. Perfect for children of all ages!

These organic mini star cookies are made with simple ingredients and come in single serving bags.

Organic fruit gummies are come in different flavors and shapes with no artificial colors or flavors.

These are really simple to make. You glue the gummies on the cookies with a mixture of powered sugar and milk or water. Just add enough liquid

The Gummie Star Cookies make a great display for parties and holiday. They are fast and easy to make too!

Organic Ingredient Suggestions

Set out to answer some egg coloring questions we had wondered about for awhile. Results of our research.

Organic farm fresh eggs are the best protein bargain.

Elaine McFadden, MPH, RD, Host Smart Health Talk Radio Show

Archives

Categories

HOW A DRAGON FRUIT GROWS
IT TOOK THIS PLANT 8 YEARS TO START PRODUCING

Frey Wine GreenBar Distilleries Medocino Brew