curried rice and cashews

Curried Rice and Cashews

This rice is pretty much a big hug in a bowl, warming, comforting and healing!

Curried Rice and Cashews, a hug in a bowl, warming, comforting and healing!

Every ingredient in this recipe has some sort of healing quality, especially the curry powder, garlic and coconut oil.

Here’s why:

Without getting too technical, turmeric, one of the main ingredients of curry powder has been proven to protect against cancer, reduce inflammation and may prevent against alzheimer’s disease thanks to its active component curcumin.

Garlic has been used for eons as an antibacterial/antiviral, but it is also used to decrease inflammation, reduce risk of cancer and aid in heart health due to its powerful sulfur-containing compounds.  Some eat it raw to reap the most benefits!

Don’t even get me started on the benefits of coconut oil!  Not only do I add it to just about every recipe I make,  I also slather it on my kids, feed it to my dog and make deodorant with it!  Coconut oil was feared for years due to its high saturated fat content, but that fear was put to rest when studies showed there wasn’t enough correlation with the consumption of saturated fat and heart disease.  I was thrilled to hear the latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans did not place an upper limit on fat intake.  You can read more about coconut oil from a past post here.

A shout out also to the cashews for adding protein, healthy fat, minerals and antioxidants!

Curried Rice and Cashews, a hug in a bowl, warming, comforting and healing!

curried rice and cashews
 
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Curried Rice and Cashews, a big hug in a bowl! Makes 4 servings
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 heaping tablespoons of coconut oil
  • ⅓ cup onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 cup brown basmati rice
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups water (or veggie broth)
  • ¼-1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ cup cashews
Instructions
  1. Over medium-low heat sauté onion in coconut oil until translucent.
  2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  3. Stir in curry powder and sauté another minute.
  4. Add rice and stir until coated in oil.
  5. Add sea salt and water, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
  6. Toss in cilantro and cashews, serve warm and enjoy!

Curried Rice and Cashews, a hug in a bowl, warming, comforting and healing!

superfood hot chocolate

Yesterday the weather was relentless and we got close to another foot of snow!  I’m worried it’s going to be June before we see the ground again.  What to do on a snowy day?  Make mugs of Superfood Hot Chocolate to warm you up!

Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

In addition to using raw cacao powder, I added ginger, cinnamon, turmeric and coconut oil, which are all immune boosting and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Check it out!

Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

Cacao:  Contains high amounts of magnesium and high levels of  flavonoids, an antioxidant responsible for decreasing inflammation and ridding the body of free-radicals.  If possible, buy raw cacao powder instead processed cocoa powder.  Cocoa powder is heated to high temperatures, which destroys some of its healing qualities.

Ginger:  A reliever to GI upset, but also a potent anti-inflammatory.  Gingerols, a substance found in ginger is responsible for decreasing pain and inflammation in people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cinnamon:  Similar to ginger, cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties.  Some studies even suggest that cinnamon helps with insulin resistance.

Turmeric:  A very potent anti-inflammatory agent due to curcurmin, the compound that gives turmeric its bright yellow color.  In addition to decreasing inflammation and pain in those suffering from arthritis, turmeric protects cells from oxidative stress.

Coconut Oil:  Contains lauric acid, which may fight off bacteria, fungus and viruses.  Also, a good source of medium chain triglycerides that contain anti-aging properties.

Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

superfood hot chocolate
 
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Makes 2 large portions
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of milk of your choice (hemp, soy, almond, etc.)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder (or cocoa powder if you don't have cacao!)
  • 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust according to your taste)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • pinch sea salt
Instructions
  1. Warm all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally.
  2. Transfer to a blender and pulse until frothy. (optional step)
  3. Top with coconut, soy or rice whip for fun!
  4. Enjoy!

 I am NOT a winter person.  I turn purple when I go outside, seriously.  I am so ready for winter to be over!  However, each storm we get continues to amaze me.  It is so beautiful out there!  Plus, Al Roker promised me this morning that the worst of the winter chill is over…I hope he’s right!!!

Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

 Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

Superfood Hot Chocolate ~vegan~

Stay warm :)

banana bread granola with cacao

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao 

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao ~vegan, gluten free option~

I’m in the stage of pregnancy where I’m up from 1-3 every night… fun, right!?!  When I’m up tossing and turning, I can’t help but  think of things to make!  I usually have to get up and have a snack of some sorts.  The other night I was craving banana bread granola so badly!  The best I could throw together at 2am was mashed bananas topped with walnuts.  It suppressed the craving for the night, but I woke up the next day to make this recipe!

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao ~vegan, gluten free option~

Oats, walnuts and bananas are high in soluble fiber, which help to lower cholesterol.  Starting your day with a bowl of granola is a healthy addition to a heart healthy diet!  I see many patients with elevated cholesterol who easily bring their numbers down by adopting a whole foods diet high in plant-based foods.

Low-sugar granola is an easy way to incorporate oats into your day!  The original recipe can be found on the beautiful blog, Minimalist Baker.

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao ~vegan, gluten free option~

banana bread granola with cacao
 
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Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 3 cup old-fashioned oats
  • ¾ cups chopped walnuts
  • ¼ cup wheat germ (sub flax meal for a GF version)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ tablespoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup coconut oil (or oil of your choice)
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cacao nibs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mash ripe bananas and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine oats, walnuts, wheat germ, sea salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  4. In a small sauce pan over low heat melt coconut oil, stir in maple syrup and vanilla.
  5. Add coconut oil mixture to oats, stir in mashed bananas. Mix until well combined.
  6. Evenly spread onto two baking sheets. Cook for 10 minutes, use a spatula to mix granola and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool and stir in cacao nibs.

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao ~vegan, gluten free option~

I added cacao nibs, but mini-chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, dried blueberries, flax seeds or hemp seeds would make wonderful additions!

Banana Bread Granola with Cacao ~vegan, gluten free option~