. . .

what to use:

1/2 lemon

one tablespoon raw organic honey

one tablespoon organic coconut oil

one tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar

how to use it:

- fill kettle with water and heat until just before a boil

- while you wait, squeeze 1/2 a lemon and leave in the mug

- pour in the apple cider vinegar

- pour in the water

- scoop your coconut oil and let it melt off into the mug of hot water

- scoop your honey and let it melt off into the mug of hot water

- keep the spoon in the mug so that you can stir melted coconut oil around while drinking since it will float to the top

why you use it (the good stuff): This amazing combination is an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal that is good for your digestion, blood sugar regulation, heart health, brain health, skin and hair. 

apple cider vinegar

An incredibly beneficial tonic, apple cider vinegar is an acetic acid with amino acids, vitamins and mineral salts. The pectin helps to stabilize stomach issues and indigestion. It also helps with post nasal dip and clears sinus congestion. It works to stave off germs since most of them cannot live in the acidic environment. The anti-glycemic effects improve insulin's sensitivity while stabilizing blood sugar and it also speeds up your metabolism and lowers cholesterol. When buying ACV look for an organic brand that also "includes the mother" to glean the full benefits. 

raw organic honey

Full of active phytonutrients honey has the properties of an antibacterial, antiviral, as well as an anti fugal. It is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and overall health including eliminating allergies. Honey also helps to balance blood sugar, blood pressure while calming nerves and relieving pain. No honey is safe for children under a year however because of its unpasteurized quality, raw honey should definitely be avoided. 

lemon

Not only are lemons packed with vitamin C (good for the immune system), B-complex (good for energy), calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium (good for your heart, brain, and nerves), fiber (good for digestion) but they have many more benefits. Lemons boost your immune system by replenishing vitamin C that is depleted as you get stressed out, which most of us feel these days and also fights off viruses. The citric acid naturally freshens your breath as the antioxidants restore your skin's radiance. Lemons aid in digestion by cleansing toxins in your digestive tract and by stimulating your liver, the pectin fiber (a powerful antibacterial) can subdue hunger, and it can even reduce the symptoms of indigestion...somewhat counter intuitive since it is an acid. They help to remove the uric acid in your joints which gives an anti-inflammatory effect. Your energy levels increase and your stress and anxiety decrease even with the smell of the lemon alone. Refrain from brushing your teeth for 30 minutes to prevent the thinning of enamel. 

coconut oil

I could go on and on about all the things we use coconut oil for in our house. Coconut oil is a heart healthy fat which helps increase the good HDL cholesterol. It helps our bodies fight off bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast and candida. It works wonders to stabilize hormones, blood sugar (by making the use of insulin in the body more effective), and thyroid issues, helping increase metabolism. It is full of antioxidant vitamin E and is amazing for your hair and skin. Due to the triglycerides, coconut oil has be shown to have fantastic effects on brain disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's. To reap the best benefits, choose organic virgin coconut oil. 

If you had any doubts before reading this post, hopefully now you see the potential for some awesome healing benefits. Even if you don't fully "buy" it, it can't hurt to try it. I've tried worse in the name of feeling good and this is natural, easy to make at home, and even tasty. Now that you know why I include these four ingredients, go try it for yourself...I got a feeling you're going to like it and your body is going to thank you. Cheers!

la tartine gourmande

Oh my goodness...I have meet my newest foodie inspiration blog; la tartine gourmande. Bea Peltre is a genius at what she does. Everything that she makes is beautiful, delicious, and pushes the boundaries of what "normal" food is. The majority of her recipes are gluten free, uncomplicated, inspired by farming, and seriously amazing. Check this out:

melon salad & berry tart

same link as above

cauliflower gratin

strawberry, millet, almond cake

orange salad with spices

cocoa banana muffins with black sesame seeds

apple galette with chia seeds

banana bread with quinoa

petite pots de creme au chocolat

This is her beautiful book...

I think it's a must buy!

*all photos are by Bea Peltre and labels for by way of ney

juice into spring

After many trips to Whole Foods for a green juice PACKED with vitamins, I finally went for it and ordered a Breville juicer.  After a few days it arrived and a quick trip to Trader Joe's left me armed with loads of organic produce and this is my result...

Into the juicer went...

plus...

The healthy living tool of the season...

My final product...

It was everything that I hoped it would be! 

If you don't have a juicer at home you can always mix and match with fresh juice from the local market. Think; tangerine, carrot, pomegranate and a green machine. 

quick, easy, delish: salad

delish inspiration

I've been feeling the need for some inspiration in the kitchen lately and the Donna Hay 10th Anniversary edition seriously gave it to me. Hopefully you'll find some inspiration for all things fresh and delicious too!

Have some Bircher Muesli to get your morning going!

4 grated Granny Smith apples

one cup of apple juice

2 cups of extra thick (Greek would be best) yogurt

2 cups of rolled oats

2 sliced nectarines

about a cup and a half of raspberries

one cup of toasted almonds

one cup of honey

1] mix the yogurt, apples, apple juice and oats together, cover and place in the fridge overnight

2] in the morning, place the oats in serving dishes and stir in the raspberries, nectarines, almonds and honey

3] top with some extra fruit and enjoy 

I think I'm going to try this with the amazing seasonal fruit we've got around the Farmer's Market right now. Maybe clementines and pomegranate.

Plus I'm definitely going to toast some coconut and add it! 

 A midday snack of Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Brioche

cut one some brioche loaf into rectangles

1/3 cup of caramelized onion relish

1 Granny Smith apple, sliced thin

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoons of butter

1 1/2 cups of blue cheese (or another strong cheese)

*makes 16

1] spread the brioche with onion relish and top with apple

2] heat butter and oil in a nonstick pan on medium high heat

3] add the brioche, apple side down

4] cook 12 minutes on each side or until golden

5] top with blue cheese and fresh cracked pepper

Delish Chicken and Haloumi skewers for dinner.

8 boneless chicken thighs (I'd replace with breast meat) cut into chunks

about 3.5 oz of olive oil

about 3.5 oz of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon of paprika

2 teaspoons of dried parsley

salt & pepper to taste

Combine all the above ingredients and allow to marinate for 20 minutes. 

for the tzatziki:

2 1/4 cups of fat free plain yogurt

1/2 a large cucumber, de-seeded and chopped

2 crushed garlic cloves

1 tablespoon lemon juice

salt & pepper to taste

You will also need 11 ounces of haloumi cheese cut into chunks.

1] after marinating the chicken, grill it and set it aside

2] brush the haloumi with olive oil

3] on high heat, grill the haloumi until soft but still firm

4] skewer the haloumi with the chicken

5] mix the tzatziki and serve with flat bread and cut cucumber ribbons

Don't these sound amazing! I hope they inspired you to go get some amazing ingredients front the store and whip up something anyone will love! If not the recipes above, maybe you'll find inspiration to make something from the gorgeous photos alone. I'm thinking about hanging a wire across our kitchen wall and being able to clip some amazing recipes and photos from magazines like Donna Hay and Real Simple. Seeing them every day would definitely help me break out of the normal chicken and steamed veggies. (Though we do love them too!)

fall foodies: banana pumpkin muffins

Since this past Sunday was rain filled and dark, I figured that we needed something to cozy us up. I'm all about making things that are good for you but I also think that things you eat should be plain old good too. A morning muffin is hardly something you'd eat if you were trying to watch your caloric intake but we weren't. We were simply trying to warm ourselves up, from the inside out, and these Banana Pumpkin muffins were the perfect treat. You might remember this post, about what to do when you find that you've left your bananas in the fruit bowl too long. Well, here is another delicious way to turn your overly ripe bananas deliciously edible: BANANA PUMPKIN MUFFINS. If ever there was a time of year to delight in these fluffy morning treats...this is it! Especially this week, when we are fast making holiday plans, these are ideal to have on hand to grab and add to your morning routine.

The recipe is pretty similar to my banana bread recipe but with organic pumpkin pie mix added. Here is what you need:

an electric mixer

measuring cups

a muffin tin

muffin tin liners 

a spatula

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 cup of sugar

2 large eggs

one stick of butter at room temperature

1 cup of mashed very ripe banana

3/4 a can of Organic Pumpking Pie Mix

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Get ready...

[my Kitchen Aid ARCHITECT mixer... I LOVE it!]

1] preheat your oven to 350 degrees

2] place 1 cup of sugar and 1 stick of room temperature butter in mixer

3] slowly turn on the mixer and cream together 

4] add the 2 eggs and whip together

5] in a medium bowl whisk together 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt

6] add it to your wet mix (already in the mixer) and mix together

7] add 1 teaspoon of vanilla

8] add your mushed bananas

9] add 3/4 of the can of organic pumpkin pie mix

10] line your muffin tin...

11] fill your muffin cups evenly

12] Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees (test with a wooden cake pick)

and...

VOILA! 

I served them HOT with apple butter which took me right back to the days when my grandparents used to bring it home from Apple Country. These were seriously delicious and warm and fluffy and moist. They were perfect! 

Hopefully this inspires you to whip these up for your family this Thanksgiving week! I promise, they will thank you for it!

quick brekkie

When I get stressed and life starts moving quicker then I can keep up with, a good and wholesome brekkie (that's breakfast people) is usually the first thing to go. Believe me, I know better. The problem is that when I have a choice between sleep and food, I usually choose sleep. I know, I know. My blood sugar doesn't like it either and in order to stay less stressed, feel better, and have the energy to get through the day I need a brekkie that can keep me going. I've learned how to get what I need and get it quick, so that I can stay in bed as long as possible of course. The other morning I had to leave quickly so what did I make, a latte (of course!) fresh organic blueberries and raspberries with Greek yogurt.

I love the Fage (pronounced Fa-yeh) Greek 0% yogurt. It is loaded with protein and is low in calories; 23 grams of protein per 1 cup and only 100 calories. To give you a comparison, a medium sized apple is about 130 calories. The only things is that because it is so low in sugar, it is very tart. I use a little dollop of Voskos Greek yogurt in the Exotic Fig flavor to add enough flavor that it isn't too thick and sour. Do you think you'll try it?

Who can deny fruit like that? So good, so fresh, so delicious!

[photos for by way of ney]

a hot cup o'

Even though it has not been cool enough here to really need a hot cup of coffee, sometimes there is nothing more comforting then walking up and having a big mug of goodness. And, let's be honest, these days I do need the caffeine as well. It doesn't have to be made at home but sometimes it is. These days when nothing seems settled yet (still up to our ears, ok, maybe knees, in boxes) the best thing I can do for myself in the mornings is make one of these... homemade vanilla latte.

[grind espresso]

[tamp the espresso down evenly and thoroughly]

[press in and seal by turning counterclockwise] 

[after adding 2 pumps of Monin syrup, push the water]

[successful espresso shot with a grind of cinnamon]

[steam milk allowing it to spin to create great foam]

[don't heat past 160 degrees or you will burn the milk]

[pour into mug "on top of" the espresso shot] 

[el fin]

You will end up with a cup o' creamy, delicious, comfort! Obviously having an espresso machine helps but it isn't necessary. You can heat up milk many ways and they even sell battery operated milk frothers now at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond and Sur la Table. This is one of my favorite ways to wake up in the morning.

If you aren't quite ready to get down with the hot lattes of fall just yet, no worries, here is the recipe for an iced latte.