Crowning Glory Pizza: King Oyster Mushroom Pizza

Today my blank canvas was a gluten free pizza crust by Udi's. 

After visiting the local farmer's market and purchasing some great vegetables, I decided to make a gluten free pizza and a side salad for dinner. I made a gluten free, vegetarian meal using ingredients sourced at the market and a few from the store. The Udi's crust contains eggs, otherwise the meal would be vegan. Substitute a different gluten free crust for a gluten free, vegan meal. The salad contains greens from my yard as well as raw nuts, raw seeds,  and dried fruit.

Ingredients:

1 cup diced oyster or king oyster/trumpet mushrooms
6 cloves of garlic - diced
1 1/2 cup diced onions and vegetables (I used zucchini and sweet potatoes)
Oil to sautee the vegetables (I use oilve or avocado)
1 cup cheese (dairy or non-dairy)
OPTIONAL: crushed red pepper
OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup mashed white beans or hummus

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to temperature recommended for the crust 
• Sautee the vegetables until tender (cover with a top to add moisture if desired)
• Crush the beans if you are using and add a thin layer to the crust (or add hummus)
• If you are not lining the crust, add the vegetable mixture (removing any excess liquid)
• Optional .... sprinkle with crushed red pepper for extra spice 
• Cook in oven until cheese melts and crust slightly browns (check crust instructions as this step is between 10-15 minutes based on crust and depth of toppings. I tend to pile my pizza high with veggies so it takes a bit longer to cook than the package suggestion.

HINT: While the pizza is in the oven I make a salad to enjoy with the pizza if I wish some additional food.

Serving:

1/2 pizza per person

Foods Fight Inflammation

Chronic Inflammation 

Many people suffer from chronic inflammation, a condition where the body’s immune system doesn’t shut off for some reason and begins to burn out of control, like a fire that can’t be extinguished easily. Chronic inflammation can impede a person’s ability to perform activities of daily living as well as participate in recreational/fitness activities.  

Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune cells can’t find an injury or illness to repair so they attack healthy cells resulting in damage to tissues and organs. This damage has been linked to a number of diseases and disorders, including asthma, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, ulcerative colitis, allergies, some types of cancer, and even Alzheimer’s.

Control Inflammation with Nutrition

There are ways to nutritionally work to control inflammation. One way is to include healthful fats, such as olives and avocados and their oils into your diet. Cooking with olive oil and avocado oil is a good way to help control inflammation on a daily basis. 

Another way to use food to control inflammation is to snack on raw nuts and seeds (if you diet allows you to eat nuts). Nuts contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower LDL cholesterol, and help control inflammation. Six of the best nuts to eat for these health benefits include: walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, pecans, and hazelnuts.You can follow the 1-2-3 Rule for almonds to figure out a serving: 23 almonds is 100 calories. A general serving size rule rule for nuts is a serving is a fist full. 

One way I combine the healthy fats with raw nuts and seeds is in a salad. I top my salad with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits and make a dressing using balsamic and avocado or olive oil.  This salad is made from organic greens from my garden.

Disclaimer: “Portions of this post were provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”  Source: Silent Fire: How to Extinguish Chronic Inflammation by Lisa Truesdale

 

HOPE & Sesame Milk TRANSFORMS Recipes

There are many plant based milks on the market and I have tried many of them. I first tried HOPE & Sesame Milk at the Nourished Festival in Del Mar earlier this year. Sesame milk tastes great on its own as well as in cereal/granola. I also like using sesame milk in recipes.

Sesame Milk is A Nutritious, Dairy Free, Plant-Based Product

• It is organic
• It is rich in calcium (double that of cow's milk)
• It is rich in iron and zinc
• It is high in protein 
• It provides the body with fiber
• It is low in carbs 
• It provides healthy, unsaturated fats

HOPE & Sesame TRANSFORMS Recipes

I have enjoyed making Chia Pudding for many years. SESAME MILK has made me fall in love with the recipe again! I like the thicker texture it provides. It is a satisfying meal (or dessert if you choose to make it decadent) that will bring a smile to your face when you eat it. This recipe is one I love. It has MANY VARIATIONS based on the flavor profile (and decadence) you wish.

HOPE & Sesame Chia Pudding 

BASE RECIPE FORMULA

1 or 2 mashed bananas (based on size) + 1 1/2 cup Sesame Milk  + 1/4 cup chia seeds (I use organic)

Instructions:
Thoroughly combine the base ingredients so the chia seeds are covered in liquid. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator until set (1 hour or so). I usually make my chia pudding at night and let it rest while I sleep.

NOTE: I used 1 cup of HOPE & Sesame Vanilla and 1/2 cup HOPE & Sesame Unsweetened Original in the first picture and 1 1/2 cups HOPE & Sesame Chocolate in the second pictures. The vanilla and chocolate are sweet and lend more to a decadent dish. If you prefer, you can cut the sweetness with some unsweetened as I did.

Breakfast Options:
Top with:

• a few banana slices/fresh fruit
• nuts/seeds/dried fruit mixture 
• coconut
• granola

Dessert Options:
Top with:

• mini chocolate chips (gluten free in my house) or chocolate shavings
• nuts/seeds.dried fruit
• a drizzle of jam/jelly
• cookie crumbles (or cookies on the side)

HOPE & Sesame Rice Pudding

Ingredients 
1 1/2 cups cooked rice (under cook the rice to create a "sticky rice" texture)
2 cups HOPE & Sesame Milk (I used 1 1/2 Vanilla and 1/2 Unsweetened)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla (if you do not use a vanilla based milk)
1 egg or 1 flax egg
1 pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups of milk (I used HOPE & Sesame Vanilla), pinch of salt, sugar, and rice in a pot on the stove top. Turn the heat on medium and stir until fully mixed. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine the egg and 1/2 cup HOPE & Sesame Unsweetened. Add 1 cup of the rice mixture from the bowl and combine to create a thickening agent. Once combined, add to the pot on the stove top.
3. Cook to desired consistency. 

Serve
HOPE & Sesame Rice Pudding is BEST when it is fresh off the stove. The warm pudding is sweet, creamy, and melts in your mouth!

You can top with your favorite gluten free toppings like maraschino cherries, dates, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolate, and jam/jelly.

If you can resist finishing the batch, store in an airtight container and enjoy the leftovers. If you microwave them for about 30 seconds you can get back some of the creamy, luscious consistency.

ENTERTAINING TIP: I served the rice pudding at a dinner party and set up a topping bar and let people serve  themselves.

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/

Sustainability Story for Earth Day

Corporate Sustainability

With Earth Day coming up, I decided to learn more about palm oil because I have been hearing mixed reviews about palm oil’s sustainability. I have learned that palm oil has gotten a bad sustainability rep lately, but most people just don’t know the whole story. When cultivated with an eye to the environment and the farmers who grow it, it’s a smart ingredient that can support people and the planet. The sustainability model created by Daabon in Colombia is one other companies could mimic. 

Palm Oil Controversy

An August 2018 article by the Independent noted that palm oil is one of the most controversial cooking oils for health and environmental concerns. The oil comes from the edible African oil palm tree. Due to increasing demands for this trans-fat free oil, the tree has started to be cultivated in Asia, North America, and South America. People gravitate to palm oil as it contains the antioxidant tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E, known to protect the body’s cells. Due to popularity, the palm oil industry has grown tremendously. Environmentalists are concerned about deforestation and habitat reduction due to the increasing demands for palm oil. The trees live about 30 years but many are cut down much earlier as the height of the trees makes harvest nearly impossible. Each time a tree is cut down, there is a ripple effect on the environment  

Daabon Sustainable Palm Oil

In order to protect the environment, we must be vigilant consumers and look for products that are made from SUSTAINABLE palm oil. Look no further than Daabon. Daabon has been ranked number one worldwide by the London Zoological Society’s SPOTT tool in Sustainable Palm (RSPO). Daabon, a 100 year old family owned company, has been growing and producing sustainable organic palm oil in Colombia, the second most biodiverse country in the world, for generations. They are setting the standard for sustainable palm oil production as they respect and work with nature. They support and empower small farmers by teaching them innovative techniques to pass on to help preserve nature and secure a future for subsequent generations. Their support of the farmers helps drive the local economy.

Read Labels Look for Certifications

Companies that adhere to sustainability invest time and money into their business practices. Often, as a result, consumers end up paying more for sustainable products. Sustainability is evolving. Currently certifications such as USDA and Rainforest Alliance Certification carry a price tag along with it several years of on-boarding and continuous assessments. Daabon is the first organic palm oil farm to earn Rainforest Alliance certification for their sustainability practices. 

Looking for more information, visit thefutureofpalm.com

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.

Gluten Free Jovial Pasta

Pasta is something I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember. From my mom's semi-homemade pasta dinners to sharing Macaroni and Cheese with my brother, I have fond memories of pasta meals with family.

Finding a great gluten free pasta used to be a very big challenge. Today many companies are in the marketplace and produce pasta that is not only holds up to water (they used to be soggy) but also is nutritious.

One pasta that I love is Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Penne. No one would know this Italian made pasta is gluten free! It has great texture and holds the sauce in each crevice.

The pasta pictured was made with a vegetable medley, garlic butter sauce and 1 chicken sausage diced up in the batch.

Ingredients:
2 cups of diced vegetables (sweet onion, sweet potato, zucchini, asparagus)
1 gluten free chicken sausage (or tofu or beans to make vegetarian)
2 cups of Jovial Pasta (dry) NOTE: I do one cup dry pasta per person being served.

Sauce:
4 cloves of garlic (diced) and 2 TBSP no salt butter

Directions:
I diced the vegetables and sauteed them in extra virgin olive oil and the garlic
Once el dente, I diced and added the sausage
I added the butter, covered the pan, and turned the heat to simmer
As I added the butter I started the pasta ... and cooked for 5-7 minutes
I added the pasta and some water (a few TBSPs) to the pan and finished cooking

Serve as is or add crumbled cheese or diced red pepper