I've turned to vegetarianism!!!

Okay so as we get older it is imperative that we continuously  pay attention to our health needs and listen to what our bodies are telling us. For some it's hard to understand the signs their bodies give out. One major sign that is misinterpreted comes from all of the "crap" we consume on a daily basis. Between the processed foods, the dead animals, the "medicines" and even the "vitamins" or "supplements" we are doing more damage than we can probably imagine.

If we ate properly, how we are supposed to eat and how we are designed to eat, we wouldn't feel the need to take those "vitamins" and/or "supplements".

One of the many misconceptions of being a vegetarian is that none of the food is good. Even that you have to cut out all of your favorite snacks and treats. This is not true. Some say eating healthier foods actually allows more room for you favorite sweet treat.

We as humans are actually not designed to eat meat. Check out research and more details regarding this statement here. There are plenty other sites loaded with information on this subject, all you have to do it look. Regardless, meat doesn't provide us with the nutrients and vital minerals (vitamins) that we need to live a healthy and long life. Now you may be asking "So why is my grandpa old and healthy, he's eaten meat his whole life?" Well that's actually easier to explain that you think. Food is VERY different then it was for majority of your grandpa's life. They are now more than ever injecting meats with different toxins which actually help cancerous cells thrive in our system. If that doesn't worry you look up the "tumors" found on animal meats and how all they do is cut around it and sale you that cut around as a "delicious steak". Well if you know anything about tumors, they can easily be malignant which can metastasize or spread to the surrounding tissue and still end up on that steak that you so readily eat. And no "cooking" this meat won't kill the cells and even if that were the case most people don't thoroughly cook meat especially steak.

I'll still be posting recommended recipes except the meats will be meat substitutes (which if you are still a "meat-eater" just substitute my meat substitute for animal parts and all is well). I look forward to sharing new creations I've made with you on my new journey to healthy, clean eating.

Another easy meal...Simple Spaghetti

When I hear people say (especially women) "I can't cook", I get so confused. Not only does cooking not take a rocket scientist to figure out there are cook books with recipes so easy to follow it's not even funny. This particular recipe I didn't get out of one of those but it is probably somewhere in one of them.

Okay everyone LOVES a good helping of spaghetti especially children so if you have kids you should definitely (if you don't already) use this one.

All you need is:

1 box of spaghetti noodles (if you're health conscious like me try Ronzoni's Healthy Harvest all natural spaghetti noodles)

2 - 24 oz cans of whatever flavor of Hunt's spaghetti sauce (I like to use four cheese)

1 lb of ground beef (I use ground turkey)

Salt

Pepper

Basil

Parsley

Oregano

Directions: Brown meat, drain, if necessary. Add a little salt. Boil noodles, drain. Mix cooked noodles, browned meat, and both cans of spaghetti sauce together. Heat on low (just to warm sauce). Add salt, pepper, basil, parsley and oregano to taste. Once warmed, serve! Voila! You've just made a delicious dinner. If you want to add a little more you can always add a side of steamed veggies and croissants.

Because of simple meals like this I never want to hear someone say "I can't cook" EVER again.

The easiest Parmesan Chicken you'll ever make

I LOVE this simple but delicious recipe. It's quick, easy and most importantly my kids love it and always ask for a second helping.

All you'll need for this recipe is:

• 1 lb of raw chicken tenders
• 100% grated Parmesan cheese
• Mayo or Miracle Whip
• Parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

And that's it!

Directions for the easiest Parmesan Chicken you'll ever make:

Place raw chicken tenders on baking dish about an inch apart. Dab paper towel on each piece just to try and get the most water off as this will make the mayo harder to put on. Salt and pepper to taste. Using a butter knife spread mayo or miracle whip on each chicken tender. Pour Parmesan cheese over each piece. Sprinkle parley over top of each piece. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken tenders in oven and cook for about 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and Parmesan cheese begins to slightly brown. (Cooking time may vary depending on oven) Remove, let cool and serve!

Double Crunch Honey Garlic Chicken

I'm a semi health conscious cook so don't fry much but this is one dish that my family including myself loves.

Now for the chicken you'll need: 

• 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin (cut into smaller pieces if necessary. 
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons black pepper

For the Flour Coating

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground thyme
• 2 teaspoons ground sage
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

For the egg wash:

• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons water

Please note the original recipe calls for 4 eggs and 8 tablespoons of water but this is always too much.

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

The Rest:

• Peanut oil or canola oil

DIRECTIONS

To make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook the garlic over medium heat the to soften, but do not allow it to brown.

Add the honey, soya sauce and black pepper. Simmer together for 5-10 minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Watch this carefully as it simmers because it can foam up over the pot very easily.

Make an egg wash by whisking together the 4 eggs and 8 tablespoon water; set aside.

Combine together the flour ginger, thyme, sage paprika and cayenne pepper; set aside.

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then dip the meat in the flour and spice mixture. Dip the breast into the eggwash and then a final time into the flour and spice mix, pressing the mix into the meat to get good contact. Allow to rest for about 15-20 minutes to allow for good adherence.

Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (black iron is good) on the stove with about a half inch of peanut or canola oil covering the bottom. You will want to carefully regulate the temperature so that the chicken does not brown too quickly. The thinness of the breast meat practically guarantees that it will be fully cooked by the time the outside is browned, about 4 or 5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Do not crowd the pieces.

Drain on a wire rack for a couple of minutes before dipping the cooked breasts into the Honey Garlic Sauce.

Corn and Peach Salad

This is a cool salad that will let you enjoy the outdoors in the summer.

picture from http://www.girlmakesfood.com/grilled-peach-and-corn-salad/

Ingredients: 

• 4 ears fresh sweet corn 
• 1 cup chopped fresh peaches
• 6 to 8 radishes, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• tbsp cider vinegar 

Directions: 

1. Remove husks from ears of corn
2. Scrub with a stiff brush to remove silks, rinse
3. Cut kernels from cob (about 2 cups) 
4. In a medium bowl, combine corn, peaches, radishes and mint
5. add oil and vinegar and toss to coat 
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper 

*recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Magazines 

My Favorite Chicken Barbeque

Who does not love chicken, right? Now that it is almost summer, barbecue is in demand once again for camping trips or to go to the beach. Here is a chicken barbecue recipe that is worth trying.

photo taken from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue_chicken

What you will need:
1. 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lb chicken pieces
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minces
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:
1 cup water
1/3 cup coarsely chopped onion (1 small)
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 cup ketchup
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Directions:
1. Recommended: Remove chicken skin
2. Divide chicken between two resealable plastic bags set in shallow dishes
3. In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt and black pepper
4. Pour the mixture over the chicken and seal bags. Turn the bags a little so that the chicken will be completely covered with the mixture
5. Keep the bags in the refrigerator overnight
6. To make the sauce,  combine water, onion, butter, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and pinch of black pepper in a saucepan
7. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer uncovered
8. Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and cayenne pepper and let boil
9. On the grill, drain chicken and arrange on the rack
10, Cover the grill for 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink
11. Brush chicken with barbecue sauce and grill for 20 more minutes

Foods to add into your diet/recipes that help fight/prevent hair loss

Beauty and/or health seems to be more popular than ever these days. For women especially, this includes the health of our hair. Well did you know the health of our hair depends also on what we eat? But there's no need to fret there are plenty of foods you can easily add into your diet to ensure you're providing your hair what it needs to thrive. Here are a couple just to get you started!

Spinach

Being a great source of vitamins and nutrients such as iron, vitamin A and C and protein, spinach on the top of the list of foods to consume to help with hair health.
















Carrots

Adding carrots to your diet will improve your hair health. Even though they are known to be good your eyes because they contain vitamin A they are also good for your hair.













Oats

Say farewell to hair fall just by adding oats to your diet. Since they are full of fiber, iron, zinc and omega-6 fatty acids, oats stimulate hair growth.







This list courtesy of  http://food.ndtv.com/

This is just a few of the many foods that can help maintain those lovely locks. Luckily there are many cafes and shops popping up these days that cater to this sort of eating and make it easy to conveniently order a healthy snack/lunch/drink.

Without paying mind to what you consume you could unknowingly be causing hair loss unnecessarily. Which also has it's many solutions thanks to the likes of Bosley.

However, if something is unavoidable it's probably best to avoid it. Unfortunately for some, hair loss and balding are genetic so it's inevitable but for others eating healthy can help to avoid or at least prolong the loss of your hair.

Good luck and good eating!