Smart Health Talk - Organic Recipe Blog

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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King's Cupboard Brings Back the Old World Richness of Organic Caramel and Hot Fudge Sauces Without the Work

3/25/2015

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There should be a warning label on this product for love at first taste.
If you already have a weak spot for "Hot Fudge or Caramel Sauce," you will fall hard for King's Cupboard. The flavor comes from quality ingredients true to the simple richness of old world recipes blended to a sweet creaminess not easily forgotten. You've been warned. This level of taste for just opening a jar adds to the pleasure.

This is what happens after you open a jar of King's Cupboard Hot Fudge Sauce, you find reasons to come up with new ways to use it like for a holiday recipe. If you have NadaMoo "Lotta Mint Chip" in the freezer, and it's St. Patrick's Day, you can't help but get ideas on how perfect the creamy green mint iced coconut cream and warm fudge would go together. Don't really use the microwave, but put that fudge sauce in for 15 sec on high and got just the right heat to pour over the NadaMoo.

It is half vegan and all organic. Every bite as delicious as you might think. Sometimes compromise can be good.

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Chocolate and Vanilla Candy Cane Cookies

12/21/2014

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Make this easy recipe as a quick cookie that most anyone will love. Since it requires the use of play dough skills be sure and invite all the kids in the house to help with the rolling and shaping of the dough to create the candy cane cookies. Sound like fun? You can make a lot of small or big cookies. May need just 1/2 the recipe, or you can freeze half the dough for later unless lots of cookie monsters to feed. Cookies store well too.

Make the Dough First

Choose how to mixing tool:
Food Processor
Bowl with Hand Mixer
Deluxe Mixer
By Hand

We used a food processor that worked great on the dough until we added cocoa powder which made it get thicker so had to finish mixing my hand to avoid burning out the motor.

Much harder by hand and takes awhile that way but you will get there.

Start by thoroughly mixing everything but the flour and salt. It is only after these are completely mixed do you start to add the flour and salt. Keep adding the flour until it disappears and then add more about a half cup at a time.

Split dough equally in half and then mix the cocoa and extra butter or shortening starting with the extra fat before powder.

Better to first add one more tablespoon of butter or shortening before adding the cocoa powder and allow it to mix in so will not get as thick from the cocoa powder.

If you use melted chocolate you may have to add more dry ingredients or nothing at all.

Goal is for both vanilla and chocolate dough to have the same consistency.

You want enough flour so that the dough does not stick to surface, but not too much so it cracks and will not stay together so needs to stay pliable like play dough. Will be very dry cookie after it is cooked if too much flour is added.

Ingredients for dough:
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Shortening
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Egg
2 teaspoons vanilla (imitation not recommended)
1 teaspoon Peppermint Oil (optional)
2 1/2 Cups Flour or 2 Cups Flour and 1/2 Cup Almond Flour
1 teaspoon Salt (Real Salt or sea salt. Morton has GMOs and processed)

For Chocolate Dough:
After dividing dough in half, mix one half of dough with a 1/4 Cup of melted chocolate or 1/8 Cup of cocoa and one tablespoon butter or shortening.

How to make the Candy Cane Dust
3/4 Cup Candy Cane dust and chunks (Trujoy only organic choice).
1/4 Cup Sugar

It might be easier to just try and roll out small amounts of dough at a time. You can make all the cookies the same size or make many sizes. There's no right or wrong way. Roll the chocolate and vanilla separate, and then put them together and start to twist the dough and form the candy cane.

Flatten each end of the candy cane and then flatten the top so that the candy cane sprinkles will stay in place when you add them later. You may want to make sure after flattening that the cookie is not stuck to the pan. Play with the dough to get the desired shape as may take a little work.

Make sure the oven is preheated to 375 degrees and don't over cook. Took mine out right before turned brown or around 9-11 minutes. Bigger cookies will take a little longer to cook than the smaller ones so be careful not to burn.

Next time will try and put on the candy cane sprinkles half way through cooking and see it they will stick to the cookie better. Here we put them on as soon as we took the cookies done out of the oven so can do that too.

Get to know Trujoy Organic Candy Company

You won't find GMOs, High Frutose Corn Syrup (HFCS), GMO Sugar Beet Sugar, Chemicals, Artificial Flavors or Colors, but instead a safe and delicious alternative to other popular candies such as Starbursts. The flavor is perfect and new Choco Chews are also very satisfying.

Go here to find more companies like Trujoy!

CHOOSE YOUR COOKIE FAT WISELY

Organic Butter over conventional butter and shortenings is ALWAYS a better substitute for good Omega 3 fats, Vitamin D, flavor and texture. A combination of butter and shortening can also work well.

Organic, Organic Grassfed, and Organic Raw Grassfed butter all add good fats and flavor to cookies.
Our favorite brands.

Spectrum is part of Hain, a corporation that has a history of buying out successful organic companies. Many begin as family start ups. Organic selections downsized after Hain takes ownership.

Spectrum is made from palm oil. Large corporations have NOT harvested sustainably so years later much has been lost and now gone or endangered. Arrowhead Mills was also purchased by Hain Celestial Group and makes organic bulk grain and flour products used in cookies.

Bob's Red Mill is a product choice you can feel good about when baking products are needed. Bob's Red Mill should not be confused with Arrowhead Mills, a Hain Celestial owned company and one of the biggest food corporations in the country. Bob's Red Mill owner Bob Moore transferred ownership of the company to employees in year 2010 so profit paid to employees, not stockholders.

Choose mindfully when you buy. Our collective dollars are what keeps the corporate machine going, stop or change it.

Giving our dollars to local, family and ethical businesses that are doing things right now, not after forced to do keeps consumers one up. Being a smart consumer not only protects your health now but in the future by keeping diversity.

Corporate control has already turned the organic switch off companies once they own it so willing to change any product from organic to non organic no matter it was always that way or not because all about increasing profit margin and cheaper ingredients, same volume, gets you there fast, and many times it takes awhile for consumers to notice the change.

In the end te consumer ends up with less organic choices and organic farmers lose business.

In the end consumers lose the power of choice.

Nutiva is a company worth supporting and has given back to campaigns to improve food label transparency. Nutiva puts sustainability and quality organic ingredients first. They specialize in coconut products. There are special fats in coconut that are also showing promise for providing our brains and other parts of our bodies with the the nutrients they need to stay healthy. It is always a good idea to fit coconut and coconut oil in when possible and your health will benefit.

Coconut oil does not give you as much moisture in baking so may create a "dryer" product so be careful to not add too much flour if this is a fat you choose.

Why the fat you choose is so important:
Since this is a basic cookie recipe, the fat source is a big part of the texture, flavor, and calories for the cookie. Pick calories that bring nutrition too.

Fat is an essential nutrient if you pick the right ones. Otherwise "bad fats" can do more harm than good, like trans fats for example.

We encourage you to try different combinations. Luckily there are more choices that ever especially if you are a vegan or trying to reduce you total animal intake.

You can try making your cookies 100% from one fat, a 50/50 combination, or your own balance of different fat sources.

Most important is to keep it real, organic, and from a sustainable local source when possible. The oils we eat in the USA is a global issue where choices we make here can impact endangered species of plants and animals in other countries, and the livelihood of the local people that live there.

By choosing sustainable oil sources we can not only make the world a better place for all, but improve our own health. There are many traps to fall into when choosing an oil such as trans fats, GMOs, rancidity, fraud, and low Omega 3s. It is important to have a balance and choose the best sources. You can have too many of the wrong kind of fat sources and not enough of the good kind! Keep it Real and organic.

Decorating Christmas Cookies Ideas

JOIN OUR BOARDS ON PINTEREST
Find all kinds of boards and lots of health and lifestyle advise!

Follow Elaine McFadden's board Decorating Cookies on Pinterest.

Follow Elaine McFadden's board Decorating Christmas on Pinterest.

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Turn Dried Up Pomegranates Into Delicious Juice Cocktail

12/14/2014

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Turn Dried Up Pomegranates Into Delicious Juice Cocktail

Don't throw out dried pomegranates since they can still contain juice that can be easily extracted.

Most important is to BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU CUT THEM. The outside can be as tough as leather and you don't want to lose a finger. We use this technique, but can still be dangerous so BE CAREFUL!

This juicer has lasted about 25 years and juiced lots of fruit. It's electric and speeds up the juicing process. You can use a manual one as well, but can get one of these for about $20 so might be worth it. Did not want to even think about trying to get the seeds out, and no need with this juicing method.

Pomegrante Juice!

Had some organic oranges from a 100 year old tree in my neighbors backyard who lets me come and pick them (would be wasted otherwise) so juiced those also and made a couple of VIRGIN cocktails. If you want a real Organic TEQUILA SUNRISE we would like to suggest a couple of favorite tequila brands below.

POMEGRANATE SUNRISE
Make it a virgin or add
organic tequila or vodka.

Organic Tequila

Green Bar Distillery makes an entire
line of premium Organic Spirits!
Visit their website here.

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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.

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.

It is half vegan and all organic﻿. Every bite﻿ as delicious as you m﻿ight think. Sometimes compromise can be good.

Get to know Trujoy O﻿rga﻿nic Candy Company

CHOOSE YOUR COOKIE FAT WISELY

Organic Butter over conventional butter and shortenings is ALWAYS a better substitute for good Omega 3 fats, Vitamin D, flavor and texture. A combination of butter and shortening can also work well.

Organic, Organic Grassfed, and Organic Raw Grassfed butter all add good fats and flavor to cookies. Our favorite brands.

Spectrum is part of Hain, a corporation that has a history of buying out successful organic companies. Many begin as family start ups. Organic selections downsized after Hain takes ownership.

Decorating Christmas Cookies Ideas

POMEGRANATE SUNRISEMake it a virgin or add organic tequila or vodka.

Organic Tequila

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

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

Frey Wine GreenBar Distilleries Medocino Brew

It is half vegan and all organic. Every bite as delicious as you might think. Sometimes compromise can be good.

Get to know Trujoy Organic Candy Company

Organic, Organic Grassfed, and Organic Raw Grassfed butter all add good fats and flavor to cookies.
Our favorite brands.

POMEGRANATE SUNRISE
Make it a virgin or add
organic tequila or vodka.