Summer Squash & Japanese Eggplant with Tapenade

Need a recipe for your bounty from the garden? I harvested a yellow squash and a Japanese eggplant and wanted to have them for a side dish to our roasted salmon. Pulling a few things from the fridge, I came up with this simple little recipe that you can try.

Prep the veggies.

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DIY Green Cleaning Products

Today's environment is full of chemicals that are known carcinogens, which are linked to health problems such as breast cancer. Stores offer an array of household cleaning products that contain health-damaging chemicals. But our home is one place where we can control exposure to chemicals. Have you wanted to cut down on chemicals in your house by making your own cleaning products? This week we're privileged to have a guest post by Jennie Zraick whose done a complete make-over in her cleaning products.

One of my goals this past spring was to implement the use of homemade cleaners. They have less chemicals and cost pennies compared to commercial brands. Follow my Do-It-Yourself (DIY) recipes to make your own.

General Cleaning
A friend who sells essential oils got me some Thieves Household Cleaner concentrate. Love it! No getting high while cleaning the shower plus leaves a nice scent in the kitchen and other rooms. Otherwise, I use baking soda for cleaning. I purchased a Parmesan cheese shaker for the baking soda, making it a little easier to sprinkle on surfaces than using a scoop.

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Wisdom Wednesday

Tip:
Vitamin D is essential to your health so make sure you're getting enough. The sun is a great source for vitamin D, but if you lather on sunscreen to go outside you're not going to get any vitamin D. Fungus to the rescue. Yes, mushrooms are a great source for vitamin D. Slice up some mushrooms and add them next time you have a salad or cook up some veggies. Other sources include cold-water fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, tuna and sardines.

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Vegetarian Mexican Pasole Soup Recipe

If you've been afraid to go raw or vegan, this recipe just might convince you to take the leap. You might discover you're missing out on the rich flavors of simple spices and yummy taste of fresh vegetables. This Pasole recipe is missing the meat, but no flavor lacking here.

This recipe came from a raw food class I took with my friend Jennie Zraick, an avid fan of HJC. Becky at Whole Foods Market in Roseville in the Sacramento area teaches raw food cooking on a regular schedule. She wows the attendees with her vast knowledge of the health benefits of foods while she's chopping and blending her creations.

I made a huge batch and brought it to a Labor Day BBQ and it was a hit. I sent leftovers home with eager takers with a promise to post it soon. So here you go!

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Wisdom Wednesday

Tip: 
Try chia seeds for a nutritional boost. Rich in iron, fiber, calcium, omega-3 fat and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), these little black seeds swell up in water and when consumed provide hydration. Add 1 Tbsp of ground chia seeds to 3 Tbsp of water to replace eggs in recipes. Add chia seeds to your veggie smoothie. Sprinkle it on your salad. Add it to oatmeal. Even bake it in your favorite cookie. You'll enjoy lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation and improved blood sugar regulation. Not bad for a little seed that some used to plaster onto animal-shaped clay.

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Mothers Across America March to Label GMOs

The day we celebrate our county's Freedom is the day we turn the tide. Tomorrow, at over 169 parades, thousands of moms are marching in hometown parades with Moms Across America. The Moms Across America March (MAAM) will connect with millions of our neighbors and community members who have never heard of GMOs, as smiling faces, festive cheer and patriotic gear deliver the message: Label GMOs. Parade viewers will wonder... And when they wonder they will be open to finding out more.

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