Elderberry-Lemon Gummies And More

It is time to prepare ourselves for the "flu season". I love Autumn, love the colours, the crisp air, candles, apple cider, warm woolly socks etc. but, I really detest the snotty noses, followed by the sinus infections and everything else. I HATE with a passion. I don't take my health for granted, or at least I don't think I do, so please please could we just dodge the crap this year??? Probably not, since we do live in a fallen world with disease and curses, and as much as anyone wants to argue that you can dodge sickness and disease with a well around plant based diet, well you just can't. SO, what exactly am I going to do about it?

I have this grand war plan to be as alert as I can with immunity boosting, cootie fighting strategies - which I will list down soon- but as fallible as I am, I'll probably start strong like a commit, lose my focus in a week or so into it and face-plant into the midst of a slimy snot fest. Just from experience, that's all. 

The 10 (ten seems to be a reasonably stupid number to overwhelm us all) Ways You Can Fight The Slimy Snot Fest:

1. Be the hero of your family, cook a batch of Elderberry-Lemon gummies and convince your family to eat them. My girls and personally I think they taste alright, but my boys are not so sure. I'm working on it! (recipe at the bottom)
   
2. Diffuse doTERRA's OnGuard essential oil around the house. This virus/bug fighting killing machine is feisty! I usually lather up OnGuard with coconut oil the bottom of our feet and massage it on around their lymph nodes too. Today I put OnGuard in a capsule with a few other oils (Oregano, Melaleuca and Ginger) and ingested it. Wowza!
   
   www.mydoterra.com/rosecathy
3. Start your day with a "flu-fighting" smoothie. I use, spinach, avocado, frozen berries, vitamin-C powder, Greek yoghurt, orange juice, probiotics, powdered greens etc. with some extracts and other goodies, whatever I can find! I once blogged about it, http://holytempleunderrenovation.blogspot.ca/2012/04/morning-smoothie.html AND http://holytempleunderrenovation.blogspot.ca/2011/09/update-and-super-healthy-morning.html Notice, the latter is "super healthy" lol
4. Avoid sugar. I can't go into detail.. well I could... but, I'm just too lazy to. Avoid sugar! Trim Healthy Mama Plan has MANY MANY recipes to choose from, and all are sugar-free! Google it! (Affiliated Link) being "pumpkin spice everything-season", I don't want to NOT eat these yummy goodies... I want it all!
5. If you can afford it, get a Meyer's Cocktail done. Meyer's Cocktail is a highly concentrated vitamin and mineral IV administrated by your healthcare practitioner. In my case, this would be my Naturapathic Dr. down the road. *super-excited!*
6. Commit to your high quality supplements. I had my Naturapathic Dr. go through my supplements and point out to the ones I was wasting my time and money on. Thankfully, there weren't too many that were poor quality. She pointed out that my probiotics then, consisted mostly from potato starch and less from the actual probiotics... umm ok! Check them out, and commit to taking them.
7. THM (Trim Healthy Mama) have a few "all day sippers" that are very much so immunity boosting drinks! My favourites are the Good Girl Moonshine, Earth's Milk and Singing Canary. Basically drink plenty of water too! Infused or steeped, drink it.
   
   
8. Make sure you get enough sleep. Maybe a bit more than enough. I'm guessing with the amount of cooties we need to fight off, it wouldn't hurt to ease off from other areas where we put our bodies under so much stress. Lack of sleep is one, diet is another etc.
9. If you're a woman, make love to your husband! You're probably wondering how on earth this would be helpful and whether my husband paid me to write that in here?? Well, no he didn't bribe me and he is probably very ecstatic about "number 9" which he might hold me to every evening...*sigh*... ANYWAY, the reasons are plenty, here's a teaser -
   
   "Love Your Husband Love Yourself -Jennifer Flanders"
10. I would say, hit the gym.... but, with so many cooties floating around, I recommend working-out outdoors. If the weather permits it, go for a run, walk, "freeletics", Pilates outdoors...

WHEW! There's 10 ways to "Kung-Fu" those viruses and bugs. Hope these help!

What do you do to prep for the "flu-season"? Comment below!

Elderberry-Lemon Gummies

Ingredients:

• 1C dried elderberries
• 8 drops doTERRA Lemon EO
• 4C water
• 6T Gentle sweet or 3T Sweet Blend -taste test and tweak it to your own liking
• 1t cinnamon
• 1/2t cherry extract
• 1/2t vanilla
• 6,000mg vitamin C powder (optional)
• 12T Gelatin

Method:

1. Simmer elderberries, cinnamon, and sweetener  on low heat with 3C water for about 30minutes.
2. Strain the water into another pan and discard the berries (careful you don't do this the other way around!)
3. Add the remaining water (or more) to make 4C of liquid in total. Let cool down.
4. Turn on the heat to medium-low and add the extracts, Lemon essential oil and vitamin-C. Slowly sprinkle in the gelatin as the mixture warms up and whisk until dissolved. 
5. Heat up, but do not to boiling, then pour it into a glass baking dish or molds. 
6. Store in the fridge until set and cut into squares. 

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Irish Soda Bread -Crossover (Trim Healthy Mama)

This week I have been teaching the kids about St. Patrick and Ireland. Irish Soda Bread is kind of like a must have, I guess LOL. I probably could have made it into an "S" meal, but I decided not to bother but still make a recipe that was compliant to the plan. 

So here it is! Our very first, GLUTEN FREE Irish Soda Bread -THM Crossover... *drum rolling*...

Ta-daa!!!!

It was so yummy, especially smothered in butter! :)

Ingredients:

• 2C Baking Blend
• 1 1/2t Baking Powder
• 1t Baking Soda
• 1t Salt
• 2t Xantham Gum
• 1 stick/ 1/2C Butter (room temperature)
• 2 Eggs
• 3/4C Almond Milk (unsweetened)
• 1t Lemon juice
• 2T Raw Honey
• 1C Currants or Cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F degrees.
2. Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately and then combine and beat on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined. Do not over mix.
3. Dump the dough onto a baking stone. Shape it and cut an X across it.
4. Bake for 30-40 Minutes until a knife comes out clean. 

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Granola (Trim Healthy Mama Approved)

I have often cringed while my kids pour themselves a bowl full of cheerios in the mornings. My kids love cheerios and granola. Surely there is a THM approved granola recipe somewhere?? Well, good news! There is a great recipe, right here! Keep on scrolling :)

Turn on the oven to 300*F 

 Ingredients

• 10 C old fashioned oats, or any oats... I had 3 different types of oats, in they all went!
• 1 C wheat germ or psyllium husks
• 1/2 C golden flax seeds, ground
• 1 C shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 1 C seeds, sunflower, pumpkin etc (or a mix)
• 2 C organic sprouted whole wheat flour
• 2 t himalayan/grey salt
• 1/2 xylitol

• 1 1/2 C coconut oil
• 1 C honey * (if this is for you and you're looking to lose weight, omit the honey!)
• 2 T coconut/vanilla (or both) extract

• 1-2 C dates, chopped
• 1-2 C raisins/sultanas/cranberries/dried fruits

1.  First mix all the "dry" ingredients
2. Then in a saucepan over medium heat, melt the "wet" ingredients
3. Combine the two, and mix well
4. Spread the granola onto baking pans, about 1" thick, and bake for about 45 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
5. After the granola has cooled down, add the dried berries/fruit.

Makes about 21-22 Cups :) That's about 28-32 servings! (well, at least in my house)

(serve over almond milk, helps bring down the greenhouse gas emissions...more on that later.)

* what does Trim Healthy Mama say about honey? Click here! 

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My THM (Trim Healthy Mama) Non Scale Victories 2

I listed 15 NSV's HERE, and here are a few more... How exciting, this never gets old!!!

(pulled Chicken, spinach, Nando's hot sauce on Wonder Wraps and cilantro)

1) Yearly check up at the dentist. Zero cavities. Nada. Zip. Wow. That saves money, now doesn't it?? I'm wondering if all that ACV did the trick? Any thoughts?

(GGMS)

2) Feeling really good about the "bedroom" and hubby :) As another fellow THM buddy puts it "BOW CHICKA WOW WOW!" He he 

(Ezekiel Sandwiches)

3) My skin, especially on my heels are not dry, or cracked. This time of year... -weird! 

(My E-day breakfast: Collagen loaded creamy oats, GGMS and a stirred MCT oil collagen coffee)

4) I can think more clearly, and prepping and planning are running a lot smoother than before. Homeschooling has come up from its "lul" and we're on the way up again. Thankfully, I am motivated and inspired again. I think more clearly and not overwhelmed with 4 kids, homeschool, house work, me time, hubby and me time, outdoors time, and every other errand that you can think of. I feel like I have it "under control". This is BIG for me. I'm sure that my brain is being fed good omegas, proper nutrition, the lot. I am happy.

(fuel cycle week 2)

5) More energy than before. I have been working out at home during the days, and feeling energized and positive. I am currently doing the 12 week MUTUSystem online. It's so so so worth it. I am hyped up about it :)

(Chicken-Avocado on "troodles")

6) Lost 7 lb last week. Oh yeah. Fuel cycle week 1 took me down 7 lb. I am 6 days away from finishing week 2. I am wondering if I will enter the 180's. Last week I went down from 201 to 194. My over all starting weight was 245/250, for those who do not know. My desire would be 140-150 lb. But who knows what I'll end up weighing. I am just enjoying all these NSV's along the way :) So motivating and inspiring! 

(Fuel Pull-day lunch: Wonder Wrap Tacos)

I found an ethical grass fed, beef farm that delivers, and a local organic, free range egg dealer lol YAY! I will be making a grass fed, cheese order next payday. I can't wait!!I have been very much convicted of the way our meat and animal products are raised and produced. I believe with all my heart that if we move towards ethical and organic produce, that God WILL provide. He loves to provide. We were called to be good stewards of everything He has given us. Let's not turn a blind eye to how the meat industry is treating our animals and what chemicals are being sprayed onto our produce. I know that the THM plan approves all foods, but I am convicted not to let ill-treated foods hit my plate, or my family's plate. Anyone else feel this way??

(I still can't get over this)

7) Besides my skin looking amazing, besides one little pimple -my body is changing shape, my hair is shiny and my mood is a lot better. Here's to 2016, "the year of change" in all ways possible!

(My favourite breakfast these days)

Let me know what your NSV's are, if you're on the THM plan? I would love to hear more! 

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My 3 Week Fuel Cycle Version

5 years ago I was on a diet that was meant only for 3 weeks to kick start your metabolism and to put you on the right track for healthy eating. I've never been on another *diet that worked so well. 

Right now I am not on any diet, but on the "THM" (Trim Healthy Mama) plan indefinitely. THM plan in my mind is very biblical and I've always "preached" about Genesis 1:29 and 2:29 and so forth. What God has made is good, and nothing is "off plan" unless of course, you're allergic to it.

On the THM plan you lose weight automatically if you are overweight. And when you've reached your goal weight, you look and feel incredible! You can eat 3 course meals at every sitting, with the most fatty desserts and still lose weight. Oh yes, you can!

It's safe for pregnant and nursing women. I constantly come across comparison pregnancy photos of when women were off and on the THM plan. The results are breathtaking and encouraging. 

It's safe for the whole family regardless of age or gender. And most of all, it's HEALTHY, NOURISHING, and VITALIZING. You wont want to go back to your old unhealthy eating habits after you embark on the THM journey.

What really makes this plan GREAT is the fact that some things on plan, like the desserts I'm eating, would normally trigger the alarm in any other diet, but in THM it is very acceptable to eat this way!

Okay, here is my 3 week version of a fuel cycle that works like a charm. Now know this, this isn't the typical recommended THM fuel cycle or eating plan. I only do this when I hit a plateau, or I want to spur things along for a specific event or such. I have lost lots of pounds within 3 weeks of eating this way and I am not the only one! Hundreds, if not thousands of people have as well.

THIS CYCLE IS FOR 3 WEEKS ONLY!

There are rules to this 3 week cycle, and they are...

... NO CHEATING! This is a chemical reaction happening in your body, and the slightest, tiniest, puny cheat will hit the "STOP button" of your weight loss. Don't try it, it's TRUE. (here's a secret: I've made that mistake thinking I know better! It's so not worth having to start from scratch, after you're half way in, ugh!)

There are a few guidelines to this, and they are...

• drink 2-4 liters of water a day
• eat every 3 hours is the best, but between 2 1/2h and 4h is okay...NEVER past 4! Get an app on your phone that tracks the time between your meals or use the timer on your stove/phone.
• take your vitamins, especially your omegas and double the dose by eating a recommended dose in the mornings and the same at bed time.
• No starchy vegetables and NO fruit. Strawberries and raspberries are ok.
• If you workout, drink a post workout protein shake (1 scoop of whey and water) immediately after your workout.
• Have protein in every meal!
• no sugar/no hidden sugar -beware!
• weigh the meat/fish before cooking
• Some of my meals on my 7 day menu are from the new Trim Healthy Mama cookbook. You can order it and needed ingredients (Integral Collagen, Pristine Whey, etc.) from HERE (it's my affiliated link, thank you so much for your support :)! )
• If you are male, add another 1t oil and 50g of meat to you lunch and dinner meals.
• no wheat unless it's sprouted whole wheat
• no white potatoes or white rice
• 100g is about 3.5 oz and 200g is about 7oz ( I have remembered everything in grams..)
• for coffee drinkers who love milk and cream in your coffee... :( sorry, you have to come up with a Fuel Pull coffee recipe for the time being... I know, but it's not forever!! Also, limit your coffee to mornings only. If you need to sip on something, drink herbal or decaf teas! Be aware of hidden sugars.. yes, in tea too!
• collagen is vital! Don't skip on your daily collagen!
• If you find yourself very hungry in between meals, you can add zero calorie konjac noodles to your lunch or dinner! Truly a miracle noodle, so filling! 

Basically for those who know already what S, E, SHelper, XO and FP mean, you can either come up with your own 3 week menu with the help of my quantity guidelines, or you can just follow my 7 day menu below. 

For 3 weeks eat

Breakfast-E

Lunch-FP

Snack-FP

Dinner-SH

Snack-FP

Day 1

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g extra lean ground meatballs, 200g non-starchy vegetables, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, 1t oil and seasoning

S) Strawberry-lemon-gluccie collagen smoothie

D) 100g chicken breast, 200g veggies with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 2

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) Egg white and 1C spinach omelet, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil. Side with sugar free kimchi or 1-2 sugar free pickles.

S) 1/2C-1C 0% Greek Yoghurt and 100g of strawberries- smoothie it up or eat from a bowl. Sweeten with stevia.

D) 3 medium sized Wonder Wrap p.204 tacos filled with 100g beef and 200g of vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, dark leafy greens and cucumber. Top with 1-2T salsa. Season your meat with homemade sugar free taco spice, with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) Pristine Whey Protein (order here, my affiliated link :)!) with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 3

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g Chicken fillets, 200g chopped and fried up zucchini, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil.

S) Salted Caramel Creamy Oolong p.434 

D) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g green beans and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato, with 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 4

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) Egg white and 1C spinach omelet, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, with 1t oil. Side with sugar free kimchi or 1-2 sugar free pickles.

S) Chocolicious Thin Thick p.423 

D) 3 medium sized Wonder Wrap (p.204) tacos filled with 100g beef and 200g of vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, dark leafy greens and cucumber. Top with 1-2T salsa. Season your meat with homemade sugar free taco spice, with 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato and 1t oil.

S) Pristine Whey Protein with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 5

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 3 Wonder Wraps p.204 medium size with 100g chicken fillets, 200g vegetables, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese and 1t oil

S) Singing Canary p.398 

D) 100g steak, 200g troodles (zucchini noodles), 1t oil and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Day 6

B) Bowl of oatmeal and 100g frozen strawberries. Oats boiled with only water, and add liquid egg whites while it simmers (trust me, it's good!) and add 1t oil. Sweeten with THM approved sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol.

L) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese, and 1t oil

S) Cottage Berry Whip p.374 

D) Super Salmon Patties p.177

S) Pristine Whey Protein (order here, my affiliated link :)!) with 100g strawberries and water. sweeten with stevia or other.

Day 7

B) Sprouted whole wheat tortilla with 4 egg white- 1C spinach omelet, topped with 1-2T salsa

L) 100g Chicken fillets, 200g chopped and fried up zucchini, 1T 0%-1%cottage cheese with 1t oil.

S) 1/2C-1C 0% Greek Yoghurt and 100g of strawberries- smoothie it up or eat from a bowl. Sweeten with stevia.

D) 100g extra lean ground beef patty with 200g green beans and 1/2C cooked quinoa/brown rice/sweet potato, with 1t oil.

S) hearty 4-6 egg white omelet (use peppers, mushrooms, onion -no more than 1C), 1t oil

Repeat cycle 3 times.

The first 3 days are the toughest. You probably will be feeling hungry and irritated some what, but on the 3rd day when all the sugar has left your body, you will feel great and energized. Also, by then you will already be seeing some progress! It's that powerful! I want to encourage you to stick to it, don't quit. As long as you remember what chocolate tastes like, you're in no danger! *smirk* Just persevere and keep chuggin' along! You wont regret it!

I recently became a THM affiliate. I'm hoping that this would be a little side income for me as a homeschooling mother :) Thank you for supporting us! To order your products through my blog, go HERE

*THM is not a diet, it's a plan for life! No more dieting! I urge you to get the PLAN-book and the new cookbook. So so so so worth it!

I'm also posting my meals on INSTAGRAM daily for inspiration and accountability. Please visit! GO HERE TRIMHEALTHYCATHY

I can't hype enough about THM plan. In one month of sticking to plan with no cheats, my skin cleared up. I was so close in signing up for a continues skin care regime ($$!!) and I'm so grateful I waited! My skin went from bad to worse into super healing mode. These faces have 4 weeks between them, incredible!

Traditional Kimchi

I have been following Maangchi Korean Cooking for a while now, and one of her recipes has been on my to-do list for a long time now. Kimchi.

Maangchi is fun, quirky, and did I mention fun?! She has worked like a horse towards her YouTube channel and is gifted. She makes her cooking look extremely easy, she uses simple ingredients, she is descriptive and so, I feel like her dishes are so do-able! 

I love Kimchi. I love spicy Kimchi. My kids love Kimchi. Kimchi is healthy.

Finally on pay day, I went to the Korean market and bought everything on my Kimchi ingredient list, except sugar. I even bought the basin, and large sieve. The only thing that I didn't buy, that has to wait for next payday is the "Onggi". I used regular plastic containers BPA free. 

Okay, here is the version of the Kimchi. (By the way, there are 100's and 100's of kimchi recipes)

Ingredients:

• 6 lb Napa Cabbage
• 1 medium korean radish or daikon
• 1 large carrot
• a bunch of Asian chives (Buchu) optional
• a bunch of Minari (dropwort) optional
• a bunch of spring onion
• 24 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 large onion, I used white
• 2 C water
• 2 T glutenous rice four
• 2 T brown sugar (you can leave out...it's very little though)
• 3/4 C coarse sea salt
• 1/2 C fish sauce
• 2 t fresh ginger
• 1-2.5 C hot pepper flakes 
• 1/4 saeujeot (pickled small shrimp) with juice

Now you have the ingredients listed for you, I will let Maangchi take all the credit for this one! 

Instructions click HERE!

Tell me how it goes!!!

Pancakes "S" meal.

Yes, "S" meal.

The reason I came up with this recipe (incorporated a few recipes and mixed them to my liking), is because I want BUTTER and WHIP CREAM on my pancakes instead of "yoghurty- sour" toppings. My pallet isn't easily fooled and old habits die hard. I don't want my pancake topping habits to die at all, actually. 

When frying up these beauties remember,

Low (heat) and Slow. These do not cook as fast as regular wheat pancakes but the few extra minutes are so worth the wait!

I couldn't believe how yummy they tasted! I was upset that I forgot to add bacon bits to my last pancake. Oh well, lesson learned, I wont forget that next time! I also did not have any sugar free syrup in stock, so whip cream, berries and pulverized xylitol were more than enough to satisfy my Saturday morning sweet tooth :) Oh I can't wait for next Saturday!

Think of all the possibilities...blueberry pancakes, pumpkin spiced pancakes, cinnamon & xylitol pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, bacon pancakes... all while losing or maintaining a healthy weight! 

Pearl's and Serene's little instagram post re-worded to fit the occasion:

"I eat pancakes-galore for breakfast, why yes I am on a diet!" LOL 

I found these pancakes fry up well, flip well and satisfy well. I cannot complain. I usually make a mess of sweet THM bakings, even the "mugs", so this is victory for me. I feel encouraged:) Finally, on-plan treats don't have to taste dry and unsatisfying... I have a few ideas, recipes clicking a way as I type! But those will have to wait til tomorrow since it's late, and this momma is tired! Tired with a full belly. He he!

Makes 4 small pancakes (single serving)

• 1 egg
• 2 T eggwhites
• 1 T 0% cottage cheese
• 1 T 0% Greek yoghurt
• 1 T psyllium husks
• 2 T almond flour
• 1/4 t baking powder
• dash of salt
• sachet of stevia

Whisk the ingredients together well and let stand for a few minutes, letting the husks soak up. 

1. Heat the skillet on medium-high, brush skillet with a little butter or coconut oil. 
2. Spoon 1/4c-ish batter onto skillet, and gently spread it evenly. 
3. Turn down the heat to medium low and fry for a couple of minutes before checking. Once it easily maneuvers onto your spatula, its ready to flip. 
4. Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown, and firm to the touch.

If you're using a Rival Grill - I had mine heating on 4 and then turned it down to 3 once I spooned my batter on the grill.

I truly hope that this recipe works in your kitchen! I truly hope that you are pleased with it.Let me know how it works out!

Your truly,

To order any THM products, please consider supporting my family through my affiliate link HERE

thank you !!!!

Mango "Pudding" -Kiisseli

When I was little, my gramma used to make us Kiisseli. It's like a berry/fruit soup. I loved it. We had it hot, we had it cold, we had it in our porridge or just as it was. It was yummy!

I had a bag of frozen mango in our freezer and I decided to make Kiisseli for homesickness sakes. It turned out well, and the kids scoffed it down, and now I'm experimenting with berries and thickness.

Ingredients:

• fruit 400g
• water 4-6C
• brown sugar 1/2C
• vanilla (optional) I used coconut
• potato starch and 1C cold water

Bring mangoes, sugar and water to boil, and then simmer for about 20minutes. You can use a hand blender to smooth out the consistency or a potato masher to leave texture. I went with texture. After it has simmered long enough, remove from heat, in a separate cup, mix potato starch in cold water (read package for instructions, and depending on how thick you want it) and slowly pour it into the soup mixing it at the same time. Place back onto heat and boil for a few minutes for it to thicken up.

Let it cool down slightly before you serve it. It is piping hot! We like to chill ours, so I put it in the fridge to thicken up.

Healthy, yummy Mango Kiisseli!

More Recipes HERE!

Puffed Tofu Stir Fry

 Ingredients:

• Puffed Tofu, quartered. 
• Enoki Mushroom
• Head of broccoli                       
• 2 celery sticks
• one large carrot, sliced in an angle
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2" fresh ginger, grated,
• 3T oil
• 1T shaoshing rice wine 
• 1T dark soy sauce
• pepper
• 1T light soy sauce

 

Start by heating up the wok, pour in oil, once it begins to smoke it's hot enough. Throw in crushed garlic and ginger, followed by carrots, broccoli and celery. Add in sauces and rice wine. Mix in tofu and enoki mushrooms. Give it a good stir, until vegetables are nice and crisp. Serve over rice, or do like me, eat with just hot sauce.

My kids love the enokis, they say they pop in their mouths! I like this dish, it's a lot healthier than take away, since it doesn't have all that sugar and MSG. Authentic Chinese food, cooked by a Canadian-Finn... go figure. Next time I will add sesame seed oil and chili flakes. Can't wait!

Chocolate Chip and Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 C quick oats
• 1 1/2 C flour
• 1T baking soda
• 1/2t himalayan salt
• 3/4C coconut oil
• 3/4C homemade butter
• 1 1/2 C brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3t vanilla
• 1 1/2 C shredded coconut
• 200g dark chocolate chips
• 1/2C raisins
• 4t almond milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In bowl of an electric mixer, beat together melted coconut oil and brown sugar until smooth. Add in eggs, milk and vanilla; beat again for 2 minutes or until smooth.
4. Add in flour and oat mixture to the wet ingredients; mixing until well combined. Slowly add in coconut and chocolate chips.
5. Drop dough with cookie scoop or by large rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges turn a golden brown. Do not over bake; we don't want crispy cookies! Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes on baking sheet. Transfer to wire rack to finish cooling.

recipe altered from here

More DELICIOUS recipes HERE!!