Homemade Refried Beans

I had some dry pinto beans on hand and decided to make homemade REFRIED BEANS. After soaking the beans overnight and cooking them to add moisture the process was simple. I started with 1.5 cups dry beans to make 3 cups cooked beans. You can always use beans from a can to eliminate a step.

Making Refried Beans is Simple

All you have to do is add cooked mixture to a food processor or VitMix and pulse. You can also use an immersion blender if you have one (saves clean-up time). The machine does all the work.

Ingredients 

(increase/decrease spices based on your tolerance ... this is medium spicy)
3 cups cooked pinto beans
olive oil (just enough so ingredients do not stick in the pan)
1/2 onion diced
4 cloves of garlic (medium or 2 large)
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup low salt vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent
• Add beans, broth, and spices and cook until combined
• Smooth using an immersion blender, food processor, or VitaMix
• Serve with your favorite chips. 

Is Right Rice Right for You?

I was introduced to Right Rice in my New Hope Blogger Box and have had the opportunity to try two different flavors (spanish and thai curry). I love the versatility of the product, it meets my needs. It is a great blank canvas that can be made into a masterpiece with the addition of a few things!

Right Rice is Simple and Fast

Right Rice is a complete protein so it does not NEED to have anything accompany it to make a meal. I like it as a side dish as well as a main. It is simple to make and can be done 5 minutes after water boils. Many things can be done to make Right Rice just right for you:

• Stir in nuts and seeds
• Stir in vegetables
• Stir in tofu or a protein
• Stuff a bell pepper

I love to turn Right Rice into a rice bowl for a meal. I layer on vegetables and a protein and have a satisfying meal. Pictured below is Right Rice (thai curry) with tofu strips (sauteed in curry powder and olive oil) and roasted orange bell peppers and zucchini. One package of Right Rice made two rice bowls for dinner.

Invite Aronia Berries Into Your Life

Aronia Berries ... Where Have You Been My Whole Life?

Recently I have become aware of Aronia Berries also known as chokeberries. For some reason, they have passed me by for many years!

Research concluded they have medicinal benefits

These small, dark berries are packed with plant antioxidants and provide many health-promoting properties.According to Medical News Today, studies have shown that aronia berries may prevent the growth of colon cancer and have protective qualities for those experiencing breast cancer. Further research has shown that aronia berries boost the immune system and reduce inflammation associated with diabetes. Studies has also shown that the berries have insulin resistant properties and may be helpful in preventing diabetes.

The berries are packed with nutrition

Aronia berries contain 10% of the RDA for vitamin C so they are a great addition to your diet during cold and flu season. (The Native Americans used the berries as a cold remedy.) These low calorie, high fiber berries also contain folate, iron, and vitamins A and E.

There are many uses for the berries

Many people do not eat the berries as they have a mouth drying effect. Aronia berries are generally found used in juices, jams, syrups, teas, and wines. Tohi has a great product containing aronia berries. The beverages come in a variety of flavors like the blackberry raspberry pictured here.

Collagen, A Recipe for Good Health

Adding collagen to your diet is a recipe for aging gracefully

Collagen is known to:

• Improve Skin & Hair
• Strengthen Hair & Nails
• Repair Joints
• Help the Body Detox
• Boost Metabolism
• Help Repair Leaky Gut
• Reduce Cellulite/Stretch Marks

What is Collagen?

Type 1 Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s found in muscles, bones, skin, blood vessels, digestive system and tendons. It is the "glue" that holds the body together.

Why do we need a collagen supplement?

Our body produces less collagen as we age, thus wrinkles and stretch marks start to appear on the skin. A diet high in sugars can deplete collagen levels as well. Increasing consumption of collagen rich foods and adding a supplement may be something you wish to consider. If you are taking a collagen supplement, be sure to read the labels to make sure it is from a source you can consume (fish or egg allergy?). For the collagen supplement to be fully absorbed by the body, take it with amino acids and vitamin C.

What are the different types of collagen?

TYPE 1 is the most abundant. It helps form bones and can be found within the GI tract. It’s very important for wound healing, giving skin its stretchy and elastic quality, and holding together tissue so it doesn’t tear.
TYPE 2 primarily helps build cartilage. It is beneficial for preventing age-associated joint pain or various arthritis symptoms.
TYPE 3 is made of reticular fibers and a major component of the extracellular matrix that makes up our organs and skin. It’s usually found with TYPE 1 and helps give skin its elasticity and firmness. 
TYPE 4 is found in endothelial cells that form tissue that surround organs, muscles and fat. 
TYPE 5 makes the surface of cells as well as hair strands.
TYPE 10 is beneficial in bone formation and healing as well as repairing synoval joints. 

 

Where can we find collagen?

Foods very high in protein will provide the human body with collagen.

• Bovine collagen consists of Types 1 and 3 collagen. This will help the body create more collagen and build muscle. 
• Chicken collagen provides the body with Type 2 collagen which helps build cartilage. This type of collagen is the most common one people consume; it provides chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate. 
• Fish collagen is easily absorbed by the human body. Consuming fish collagen benefits for the joints, skin, vital organs, blood vessels, digestion and bones.
• Egg shell collagen is found in the shell, membrane, and whites of eggs. It helps in the building of connective tissue, wound healing, building muscle mass and reducing pain/stiffness.

I add collagen powder to yogurt, smoothies, and smoothie bowls.Recently I have been using Youtheory collagen powder which is made up of Types 1 and 3. Thanks New Hope Blogger Box for the opportunity to try this product!

Read More at:
https://draxe.com/what-is-collagen/

Crunchsters Rice

I was first introduced to Crunchsters in a New Hope Blogger Box. I loved the product that I was given an opportunity to try and got hooked!

Crunchsters are great for snacking 

Crunchsters are gluten free, vegan, non-GMO, and high in protein. They are great for snacking on the go and can help fuel an active lifestyle. I love the fact they do not melt when you pack them in your pocket or bag when you go on a hike or long bike ride. Crunchsters taste good and are a satisfying snack!

 

Crunchsters can also be used as part of a side dish or a main dish.

A simple recipe I use Crunchsters in is a rice stir-in. The formula I use is 1 cup of dry rice to 2 cups of liquid. When the liquid is absorbed I add 3/4 cup of Crunchsters (your choice of flavor), stir, and enjoy!



I have converted this dish by adding 3/4 cup of beans and serving it on a bed of kale for a main dish.

Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

My New Hope Blogger Box arrived with a sample of Healthy Gourmet Kitchen's Moroccan Red Lentil Soup. The soup was easy to make and tasted great ... a nit of spice and not salty!

Simple to Make

All I had to do was dice 1/2 an onion and 3 cloves of garlic and add them to a pot with olive oil and saute until translucent.  I added the sample soup package and 5 cups of broth ( I used low salt) and brought it to a boil. Once the soup began to boil, I turned it down to low, covered it, and let it cook on low for 30 minutes. Before serving, I used an immersion blender to puree the soup.

What I learned ...

This is a great product. I ate a bowl of soup with cheese and crackers and my husband enjoyed a bowl with a roasted vegetable and hummus sandwich. It was satisfying and warm on a cool January night. Next time I might cube some roasted potatoes and add to the soup as I serve it for some added texture. I might also pan fry some tofu and add cubes of tofu to the soup for additional texture. (Chicken could be added too if you wanted to stray from the vegan meal).

Tree Below Zero Carbonated Juice Beverage with CBD Oil

Tree Below Zero 

My husband tried Tree Below Zero Blueberry Raspberry Pomegranate carbonated juice drink infused with CBD oil yesterday after he played two hours of competitive tennis. He found the drink to have a slightly sweet berry flavor and a quite a it of carbonation, perhaps because we do not drink carbonated beverages often!

The drink is made with clean, natural, and organic ingredients. Yesterday it was great as a post workout recovery drink for my husband.

I am eager to try one ... the Cranberry Ginger is calling my name. I will have it with my oyster mushroom pizza later today!

Try their innovative, award winning beverages today!

Can You Eat Half An Organic Pineapple?

Of course you can! Rely on Solely for convenient, fast ... fruit!

Solely Fruit Jerky

Solely creates fruit jerky made with ONLY FRUIT...one or two ingredients per fruit jerky bar. Their products are NON-GMO and organic. They do not add sugars or preservatives to their products.

Solely works hand-in-hand with farmers and has created a network of Solely Certified Farms that produce clean, non-GMO, organic fruits and vegetables.

Pineapple with Coconut has a pineapple taste with a hint of coconut. It is a chewy fruit bar that is naturally sweet.

No Bake Protein Bar ... Mix

My New Hope Blogger Box contained No Bake and Easy to Make Vegan Protein Bar Mix by Creation Nation.

This product is delightful! 

Creation Nation PB & Jelly Get In My Belly Mix is FREE FROM :

• GLUTEN
• SOY
• DAIRY

Creation Nation PB & Jelly Get In My Belly Mix has VARIATIONS:

The package provides you with suggestions to make the base recipe or to make it sweeter or reduce the sweetness. As you know, I love recipes that can be customized so this was definitely the FIRST THING I MADE when I opened my blogger box. This is in my wheel house!

I added almond milk, Sunbutter (Natural), and honey following the original recipe.  I sprayed a glass storage container and refrigerated the bars after I made them. I cut the bars and served after 10 minutes and they held together well.

I cannot wait to try to make this by adding bananas as the package also suggests ... as well as adding a few other variations!

Papa Steve's No Junk Raw Protein Bars

My husband and I loved the Papa Steve's No Junk Raw Protein Bars that arrived in my New Hope Blogger Box! They were amazing...when you opened the package you saw something that looked like it was actually made in your kitchen. It was not uniformly cut. It was HONEST, ALL NATURAL, GLUTEN FREE GOODNESS! A bar does not have to look perfect to be perfect for you!

I love food that is good for you and made from the heart. Papa Steve's creates food made from the heart and it is evident. Their 100% handmade bars are made with locally sourced ingredients and are Non-GMO, Gluten Free, and Soy Free. They are organic and have NO added sugars or preservatives.

When you do not have time to make your own protein bars, let Papa Steve's make some for you!

Gluten Free is a Lifestyle, not a Diet

Those that need to maintain a gluten free diet for health reasons need to look into eliminating gluten from all aspects of their lives. My latest New Hope Blogger Box came with a bottle of Innovix Labs Multi Strain Probiotic.

I have been taking a daily probiotic for years to maintain a healthy digestive system. This has proven to be beneficial both before and after I was required to follow a gluten free lifestyle.  I like a probiotic that is stomach acid resistant so the good bacteria actually make it to my intestines. This probiotic has everything I seek in a supplement!

This probiotic does not need to be refrigerated; therefore it can be taken with you when you travel.