Nourish

Hearty Lentil Soup with Crispy Kale Topping

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This is an easy to make stand by at Casa de Rosa for a quick nutritious meal. It tastes even better the next day so we end up having two meals with one preparation. I was a serious vegetarian for 25 years, and even though I have taken up occasional meat eating and beer drinking  (I know, not very PC) I still am a vegetarian at heart. Lentils are packed with protein (18 grams to be exact) and lots of the vitamin B's. The crunchy kale as a topping is ususally a big hit with the sprites, and I've heard the olive oil activates the vitamins in the kale when heated.

Ingredients:

2 cups Brown or green lentils
1 chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
1 chopped leek
3 celery stalks chopped
3 carrots chopped
3 tbs tomato paste (I use Bionaturae Organic Tomato Paste that comes in a glass jar not a can since BPA in cans is worse with tomato goods due to the acid)
4 cups of water (or use chicken broth)
1 cube vegetable bouillon
1 tsp chopped thyme
1 tsp cumin
olive oil
sea salt
pepper

Bunch of kale washed and stems removed chopped
2 Tbs Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
In a large bowl cover lentils with boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain. In a soup pot saute onion, garlic, salty, pepper, thyme, cumin in the oil until lightly golden in color. Add the carrots, leek, celery and cook for about 15 minutes. Add the water, tomato paste, bouillon, and lentils. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes or until the lentils are soft.

Place the chopped kale in a bowl and coat with olive oil and salt. Place on a cookie sheet, sprinkle seeds on top and place in the oven. Check on the kale to make sure they don't burn. Once they are crispy yet still green in color remove from oven.

Place the kale on top of the soup for a delicious and nutritious meal!

Nourish

Sakara Life

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Although Sakara Life  is based out of New York City, their supplement recommendations and pyramid for life are worth sharing with us West Coast roses. Who knows perhaps they will venture out west sometime in the future. Sakara is sanskrit for 'manifestation of thoughts to things' and it seems Danielle and Whitney seem to know a thing or two about that. They deliver organic, healthy meals to your door step or detox programs. They can help us achieve radiant skin, balanced hormones and overall health with their nourishing meals.

1) What inspired you both towards creating Sakaralife? We grew up together in the spiritual mecca of Sedona, AZ and at a very early age, we knew we wanted to help women feel empowered. We didn't know how, where or when, we just knew we wanted to make a difference. Slowly but surely, after moving to NYC, we realized our gifts for helping others were in combining food and nutrition with self empowerment and education. 

2) Do you believe by eating organically we are raising our consciousness?
Not exactly. We believe that raising consciousness is more tightly linked to overall mindfulness with food, our bodies and the planet and isn't necessarily associated with organic, vegan, raw etc. Of course, it is true that organic produce is an important part to helping our bodies and our planet, but if you live somewhere where organic food is hard to get a hold of, don't feel like you're not a part of the REVOLUTION to mindful, conscious eating. 
3) What are 3 things people can do to ensure a healthy lifestyle?
Love your body just as it is right now, do something to show it love everyday (sing, meditate, talk to your food) and eat the rainbow. 
4) What 3 supplements would you recommend? (I just ordered the mouth rinse and probiotics from your site)
Yay! Those are two of our favorites. We tend to stay away from a cabinet full of vitamins (it can get pretty overwhelming!) but we have a few that we always like to include. 1. Probiotics: A healthy gut is vital to every function in our bodies so we take the FloraCor to help make sure our microflora are in tiptop shape. With a healthy gut we can better digest food, absorb nutrients, regulate hormones, hydrate, lower candida... this list is long!  2.Spirulina: We're big fans of spirulina- it's high in b-12 has tons of minerals and chlorella and helps to oxygenate every cell in our bodies. 3. Magnesium: Our favorite magnesium supplement is CALM. Magnesium is a super powerful vitamin that is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions throughout the body and helps to relieve stress. 
5) Are you mermaids or forest fairies?
W: Definitely a forest fairy.
D: Depends on the weather, but most days I'm a mermaid. 
6) What or where is your favorite meal?
We put all of our favorite meals into our OMd (Organic Meal Delivery) program.... Every recipe has been created (with love) by us. As to where... someday we want to throw one big massive dinner with all of our amazing and inspiring clients here in NYC. 
7) What are your beauty secrets?
Castor oil, Jiva Apoha Oils, FIG+YARROW Cleansing Nectar, eating our water, and gratitude. 
8) What is your dream vacation?
We're planning a Sakara trip through India and Nepal next year.  
9) Is there a large anti GMO movement in New York?
We live in a bubble that's filled with incredible and inspiring health foodies, gurus and activists so, yes, there is a large movement
10) What books are on your nightstand?
W: Do Fish Drink Water? by Bill McLain and You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay 
D: A Return to Love and The Paris Wife (great beach read!)

 

 

 

 

 

Nourish

Pure Ingredients

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It's bad enough we have to worry about the cancer causing agents in GMO foods that are taking over our food supply, but now we also should be wary of arsenic in our rice and toxic cinnamon and vanilla. I have had a few roses ask me about the good cinnamon vs. the bad kind so i will repost that as well.

Most cinnamon found at most stores comes from China and is sourced from the Cassia tree bark. Cassia bark contains coumarin which has been banned in Europe. To get real, authentic cinnamon that is not hazardous to your liver and health, you must look for the kind from Celon. I use cinnamon every day in my smoothies, oatmeal, and hot drinks so I like to get it in bulk from Indus Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder or The Spice Sage. 

Vanilla flavoring also contains coumarin unless it is extracted from the true vanilla tree which is a type of orchid. Most cheap Mexican vanilla is the toxic kind. I did find some wonderful Mexican vanilla when in Todos Santos that is coumarin free but there isn't a site for it. Most of the pure vanillas are fine such as Simply Organic Pure Vanilla Extract.

I became quite disheartened when hearing about the high level of arsenic found in rice. It seems there are natural levels of arsenic from the earth and then the toxic kind from all the chemicals we have showered upon our mother. Brown rice has higher arsenic levels but the ones grown in California are less. Pamela Salzman wonderful holistic chef and  teacher, has some helpful pointers for reducing the arsenic levels when cooking rice. They are:

1. Buy Imported Rices. Rice from the Southern U.S. (Arkansas, Texas) seems to have the highest concentration of arsenic. California rice has less, but the rice, especially basmati and jasmine varieties, from Thailand and India have the least.

2. Rinse It. Rinsing your rice in water helps to reduce arsenic by about twenty-five percent.

3. Soak It. Soaking your rice anywhere from one to eight hours will not only reduce the arsenic in the rice but also make the grain more digestible.

4. Cook It in Copious Amounts of Water. Instead of cooking one cup of rice in two cups of water, treat it like pasta and boil it in lots of water until tender.

5. Eat a Wide Variety of Foods. The concern over arsenic and rice underscores the notion that an important component of a healthful diet is to consume a wide variety of foods, not only to ensure consumption of the full spectrum of nutrients, but also to limit overexposure to harmful toxins. Alternatives to whole rice include: quinoa, millet, spelt, wheat berries, and farro.

 

 

Nourish

Golden Power = Wonders of Turmeric

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Turmeric has been used medicinally in China and India since the 7th century AD. It is known to prevent cancer (breast, prostate, skin and leukemia), prevent inflammation, is a natural antiseptic, elevate moods and more. It is a high antioxidant more potent than vitamin C and E and is  from the ginger family. It also clears up skin ailments like psoriasis. My two favorite ways to get this wonder spice in my foods is to drink it in Golden Milk or in an easy daal dish. I am truly addicted to Golden Milk and since Amanda Chantal the owner  of Moon Juice only uses fresh organic turmeric it is seasonal and not always available. Golden milk comprises of Amanda's special ingredients like almond milk, raw honey, fresh turmeric, cinnamon and cardamon.

Here is an easy recipe for daal and I always add extra turmeric.

1 cup red lentils (you can also use mung beans or yellow split peas)
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves
1 jalapeno seeded chopped (optional)
3 tbs ghee
1 tsp turmeric (I add 2)
1 15 ounce can of coconut milk (optional)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbs chopped ginger
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp whole cumin
chopped cilantro
1/2 can of crushed tomatoes or 1 fresh tomato
sea salt
1/2 tsp coriander

Put the ghee in a pot and as it gets warm add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When golden add chopped onion, garlic, pepper and ginger. Mix so it doesn't stick to the bottom. Add the spices cumin, coriander and turmeric. Then add the tomatoes and lentils and two cups of water. Let it come to a boil and then bring it to a simmer. As the liquid is being absorbed add the coconut milk and salt.

 

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