Simple Recipe for Garden Fresh Tomatoes

Tomatoes are at the top of the list of abundant summer produce, which is wonderful since they are so versatile! From salads and salsas to veggie kabobs, tomatoes are a welcome addition to countless healthy recipes.

Whether you had a successful tomato harvest in your personal garden, or you picked some up at a local Farmers Market over the weekend, this simple recipe is the perfect way to use up your end-of-summer tomatoes.

Marinated Tomatoes
(gluten-free, raw, vegan)

Tomatoes – select a variety of colors for a visually appealing dish
Extra virgin olive oil – this is a perfect excuse to use your best olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil

Quarter the tomatoes and squeeze out some of the seeds.
Chop the tomatoes into smaller pieces.
Add salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil.
Add torn basil as a fresh addition.
Let the mixture sit out for a few hours at room temp before serving.

The Dairy/Calcium Myth...

The biggest draw myth about dairy products is the amount of calcium they contain and that dairy is the only place high levels of calcium can be found.  We've been led to believe that if we are going to "grow up big & strong" and have strong bones we have to have 3-5 servings of dairy a day.

"When studies examine the effects of one nutrient at a time, they show that some nutrients - magnesium, potassium, vitamin D, and lactose for example - promote calcium retention. Others - like protein, phosphorus, and sodium - promote calcium excretion.  So calcium retention and the strength of your bones may depend much more on everything else you are eating, and how active you are, than how much calcium you take in." ~ Marion Nestle

Calcium intake is important when accompanied with a healthy diet, but attaining a proper should not be dependent on dairy alone.  Just switching from 1% Milk to Almond Milk will give you an additional 160mg of Calcium per serving.

8oz of 1% Milk = 290mg of Calcium (29% of daily)

8oz of Regular Almond Milk = 450mg of Calcium (45% of daily)

Simple Raspberry Sorbet (no sugar added)

Simple Raspberry Sorbet (no sugar added)

1c vanilla almond milk
2c frozen raspberries

Combine ingredients in a food processor, blender or my favorite the Ninja & blend until smooth. Serve :)

JUICE, JUICE, JUICE

I LOVE to Juice!! Because of my PCOS, I typically do 70% veggies and 30% low-sugar fruits. Take a look at these easy juice recipes!!

Sweet Green Juice

Sweet Green Juice

1 large zucchini
1 granny smith apple
2 mustard green leaves

Put all ingredients through the juicer (I use a Breville Juicer - it's amazing) and stir before drinking.

Pineapple Serrano Salsa

Pineapple Serrano Salsa

2c pineapple, chopped
1/2c cilantro, chopped
1/4c red onion, chopped
1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced (can substitute with jalapeno)
juice & zest of 1 lime
sea salt to taste

In a serving bowl, combine all ingredients and toss until combined.  Store in air tight container and chill until ready to serve.

Mixed Berry Raw Crisp

Mixed Berry Raw Crisp

4c mixed berries (I use blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries)
1 tlbsp honey
1c raw pecans
1/2c pitted dates, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a 7"x11" dish, toss the berries with honey until completely coated.

In the food processor, coarsely grind the pecans, dates and cinnamon.  Scatter the nut mixture over the berries and chill for 30 minutes and serve.

Chocolate Covered Raspberry Smoothie

Chocolate Covered Raspberry Smoothie

1c almond milk
1/3 banana
1c raspberries
4 tblsp MLO Brown Rice Protein Powder
1 tblsp almond butter
1 tblsp coconut oil
1 tblsp cacao powder (may substitute cocoa powder)
2 tsp ground flaxseed

Place ingredients in a blender or food processor in order above.  Blend until well combined & smooth! Enjoy :)

What's the difference: Cacao vs Cocoa

Is it just a discrepancy in spelling or are these two different products?

What is the difference between "cacao" and "cocoa?"
Cacao is the bean that comes from the cacao tree, which is known by the scientific name of Theobroma Cacao.  Cacao pods - large footballed sized fruits - grow off the trunk and limbs of the cacao tree and the beans are found inside the pods. Cacao powder is the raw ground powder of dried cacao beans.  It can be found most health food stores and from online organic retailers.  Cacao powder is not fermented, roasted or processed, but rather in raw form unlike Cocoa Powder.

After the Cacao beans or fermented, roasted and ground, the product is then referred to as "cocoa." In other words, "cocoa" is what the bean is called after it has been processed.

Is Cacao really that much better than Cocoa if it's the same bean?
Unlike processed dark chocolate, antioxidants are preserved in raw cacao. Benefits from keeping organic chocolate unheated include; much higher levels of the famous chocolate antioxidants (oligomeric procynanidins, resveratrol and the polyphenols: catechin and epicatechin) as well as the preservation of vitamin C, phenethylamine (PEA, the feel good neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of love!), Omega 6 fatty acids (which when heated become rancid and cause inflammation), tryptophan (a commonly deficient amino acid in those who consume a diet of mostly cooked food) and serotonin. So, not only is it packed with "good for you" stuff, but it tastes great and is an excellent craving reducer!

Chocolate Mousse

Photo: Cooking Ala Mel -  Recipe: Cheryl Cox & GSHL

Chocolate Mousse

1/2c dates, pitted & soaked
1/2c agave
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2c mashed avocado
3/4c cocoa powder
1/2c water

Place all ingredients in the food processor and blend until light and creamy.  Serve at room temperature or chilled.  Can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or 2 weeks in the freezer.

"Spaghetti"

"Spaghetti" (RAW FOOD)

1 zucchini, peeled & sliced into spaghetti-like strips
5-6 sun-dried tomatoes
1c warm water
2 cloves garlic
3-4 tblsp chopped onion
oregano & basil to taste
salt & pepper to taste (I used herbamare)
I also added raw chopped Shitake mushrooms

In a small bowl, combine the water and the sun-dried tomatoes.  Let sit 15-20 minutes are until softened. Remove the sun-dried tomatoes and set aside the "tomato water".  In a blender or food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and onion.  Blend, adding small amounts of "tomato water" until a spaghetti sauce consistency is achieved.  Add in some oregano and basil as well as salt and pepper - to taste. Blend again and top on zucchini "spaghetti"  Serve immediately!

  

 I know what you are probably thinking... "What's with the raw food?" But science has proven that making 50% of your veggies throughout each day raw increases stamina, energy levels, skin, helps to maintain a healthy metabolism and can encourage weight loss!

Recipe by my friend and colleague, Cheryl Cox