Fool Proof Super Salads

Now I would consider this more of an outline than recipe but that's what I think makes it so super ;)) I love a good salad and I rarely use a official recipe (but I do have a really good one for my next post) but I use this basic outline frequently and it gets rave reviews every time (especially with the Cashew Nut Salad Dressing)!!! And I have a super secret ingredient that people rarely use but love when they get a hint in their salad! Yes, I'm going to see how many time I can use super as an adjective!!

Super Salad Outline:


2-3 types of chopped veggies (tomatoes, carrots, celery, peppers, etc.)
1/4 to 1/3 cup toasted nuts (love pecans walnuts, and pine nuts [BTW, does any one know what pine nuts a coming from China now?!?])
1/4 cup dried fruit (cherries, cran raisins, raisins, etc)
1/2 cup cheese (shredded variety or small mozzarella balls)
2-3 cups chopped greens and/or lettuce
Super Secret Ingredient!!:
1-2 Tablespoons chopped fresh stevia       

NOW an insider trick for fresh, not soggy super salads every time (thanks Chef Juliet)....how you place your ingredient in the bowl makes a big difference!! 
1) dressing 
2) Veggies 
3) Nuts, Dried Fruit & Cheese 
4) Lettuce & Herbs......this way your dressing doesn't make everything soggy! An easy way to make ahead of time and have a fresh delicious salad. =)) I use a bowl with a lid to invert and toss a few minutes before serving. 

Yummy, fresh stevia from the garden gives it a hint of sweet that is actually good for you!

I love, love my toaster oven!! Great for a quick nut toasting while chopping veggies.

Make it a Super Salad Day,
Bretta

www.bretta.vemma.com

My New Health Obsession!

What is it you ask? Chia!! Can you say Ch-Ch-Chia? You know what I'm talking about (admit it the commercial got stuck in your head or better yet you owned one!).  No, no not the Chia Pet of old but the new health craze that seems to be all over the place. 

Now I will worn you that this might fall under the category of TMI (too much information) but my personal experience had been awesome! What do I mean by that? Since I have been eating chia seeds on a daily basis my digestion has been fantastic. Yep the best #2s ever...there is the TMI for you =)

My New Evening Ritual:

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (Greek Gods is the best!!)
1 teaspoon of raw chia seeds
3-4 drops of liquid orange stevia (my favorite kind of liquid stevia http://www.sweetleaf.com)

A icy glass of Vemma Bod-e Rest (www.energizeandenrich.com)

I wake up feeling fantastic!! Now, I do have a restless 3 year old and a 7 month old that likes to wake me up in the night, so don't confuse "feeling fantastic" with well rested....ha, ha!!

To Your Gut, 
Bretta

French Toast

I have to agree with Erin that breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the day!! And I know I have the best chance of getting my oldest (a very stubborn 3 year old) to eat something of value. Yes, Erin I will have more to add about picky eaters (including the story of our 24 hour soup stand off). =)) French Toast is a household breakfast staple that has healthy carbs, fat, protein and fruit/veg! What else could you ask for in a meal?


FRENCH TOAST RECIPE:
Quick morning fill‘er up! I love to sneak in a veggie puree to the dip...no one including my husband usually notices! There a ton of cookbooks and recipes out there for "sneaky foods". I use a carrot/squash blend that I pre-make and freeze in advance. I put them in mini-muffin trays then bag for an easy add in!  Pre-made baby food or apple sauce are great to have on hand if you don't want to make your own! I'm all about healthy and quick....I've got things to do like go to the gym and work off that 10 lbs of baby weight that is still hanging on, not slave in the kitchen every waking minute!

3 eggs
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoon sugar (4-6 drops liquid stevia for no sugar)
1/8 cup milk (soy or coconut also great substitute)
1 Tablespoon cooking oil (coconut oil or butter is our favorite)
4 slices whole wheat bread
Optional: 2 Tablespoons of veggie or fruit puree (baby food or apple sauce work as well)

Crack 3 eggs in a shallow mixing bowl to dip bread into. Add spices, vanilla extract, sugar, milk and puree then mix well with a fork. Heat shallow pan to a medium heat with cooking oil. Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture on each side. Cook until golden brown on each side of the bread (about 4 minutes each side).

Your Heirloom Pantry

Here are some items that I keep on hand and stocked for back up! You might be surprised by a few things you find on the list This IS NOT a list of EVERY pantry essential,  just the ones we use that might be uncommon to your regular grocery list.

o   Good Oils -

·      Olive Oil – Used daily! Salads, low heat cooking,

·      Coconut Oil - Actually a solid until you heat it up. Good for high heat and great flavor!

·      Grapeseed Oil - very good for high heat and no strong flavor. I use instead of potentially GMO canola oils.

o   
    Sea Salt – Lots of wonderful claims of health and minimally processed

o   
    Organic Chicken Broth – Get low sodium and a list of ingredients you can understand!

o   
    Make Your Own ‘box mixes’ for Cakes, Pancakes, and Waffles - More to come on this!

o   
    Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Veggies – Local weekly pick up delivery services from are wonderful for variety and reasonable prices. Look into Community Supported Agriculture in your area.

o   
    Dried Beans – Soak overnight or get the quick soak varity…..

o   
    Canned Organic Beans and Tomatoes  - If you can’t handle dried beans or just love your can opener!

o   
   Good Vinegars -

·      Quality Apple Cider Vinegar – Apparently the cure to every ailment known to mankind and it taste great!

·      Rice Vinegar 

·      Red and White Wine Vinegar – Save the plain vinegar for cleaning and washing!

o   Romano/Parmesan – Fantastic flavor allowing you to use less then a typical cheese

o   
    Honey – Local raw has many wonderful health claims!

o   
    Soy, Almond or Coconut Milk – Wonderful to mix it up in recipes and your gut.

o   
    Butter – Yes, real butter in moderation we believe is much better for you than “plastic” in a plastic tub!

o   
    Yogurt – Greek variety has lots of protein, acts like sour cream and is so good for you in countless ways.

o   
    Liquid Stevia – Wonderful sugar substitute that come from a real plant not manufacture in one!