Aioli (garlic mayonnaise)

Garlic works to detoxify, cleanse and repair cells to help you look and feel young.It helps to keep the digestive tract clean, supports the immune system and keeps quite a few infections at bay. As little as one clove a day is enough to lower blood pressure and regulate cholesterol levels.

Here are 3 varieties of Aioli, all great tasting.

option#1-Avocado Aioli

Ingredients

1 ripe organic avocado
1/3 cup organic plain yogurt (kefir could be used for a thinner consistency)
1 tsp dried basil
1 small clove of garlic – minced
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp sea salt
pepper to taste

Preparation

1.Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

** Best if served immediately, but can be refrigerated for a couple of days. Use it for dipping vegetables, on salads, as a sandwich spread or on a baguette.


option#2-Mayonnaise Aioli

Ingredients

1 cup organic mayonnaise
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Sea Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1.In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and other seasonings of choice. Cover and chill well.

Note:
You can serve your aioli after chilling it for about 30 minutes, but it's better if you allow several hours for the flavors to blend well together.


option#3-Egg and Olive Oil Aioli

Yields approx. 1 1/2 cups.

Ingredients

6 fresh garlic cloves
1 large organic egg or 2 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups organic extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1.Place the garlic cloves in a food processor or blender and mince. Add the egg and process briefly.

2.With the processor running on low, very slowly pour in half of the olive oil. Add the lemon juice. Gradually pour in the remaining olive oil and process just until the mixture thickens to desired consistency.

3.Transfer to a small bowl; add salt, pepper, and any other seasonings of choice. (cayenne is excellent.) Cover and chill well.

Impress your guests...open their minds and appetites to new flavours.

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Almond, Apricot, Bean Sprout Salad

Almonds are the perfect anti aging food. They are full of protein, fiber and omega-6 fatty acids that the body requires to stay young as long as possible.
All nuts are packed with healthy fats. They encourage weight loss because they regulate blood-sugar levels and provide a good natural fuel source to our body.
Eating raw almonds on a regular basis lowers the body's bad cholesterol as well as the risk of heart disease, gallstones and diabetes. The omega-6 fatty acids help to regulate mood. Eat them in their raw natural state and avoid less healthy, roasted or salted versions.

Ingredients

3/4 cup bean sprouts, washed and dried
small bunch each of seedless purple and green grapes, halved
12 dried apricots, halved
1/4 cup blanched almonds, halved
pepper to taste

Dressing

1 Tbsp walnut oil
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar

Preparation

1 Place the bean sprouts in the bottom of a large salad bowl and sprinkle the grapes and apricots on top.
2. Place the oils and vinegar in a screw-top jar and shake vigorously to mix. Pour over the salad.
3. Scatter over the blanched almonds and season with pepper.

Tip

Almonds may be soaked in water, which makes them easier to digest and for your body to access their nutrients.

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Get Cracking Omelet!!!

Eggs are a perfect protein source. Two eggs equal one protein. They contain all of the amino acids needed for the body to repair itself and stay young-looking. Eggs contain all the nutrients we need for growth,iron,zinc, vitamin A, D, B and omega 3 fatty acids. Studies show that eggs help prevent coronary heart disease,loss of muscle mass, eye degeneration,hearing loss and memory loss.
Buy organic free-range as the chickens' feed gives these eggs a higher nutritional value, indicated by their deeper yellow yolk and richer taste.

Spiced omelet

2 large eggs
2 Tbsp coconut milk
1 Tbsp. organic olive oil
add parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary and any other favorite spice
sea salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1.Break the eggs into a bowl. Add coconut milk and seasonings and quickly beat until just blended.
2.Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp oil, make sure that it covers the surface of the skillet evenly.
3.Pour in the egg mixture. Use a spatula to stir the eggs around the pan in a circular motion.
4.As the omelet begins to set, use the spatula to push the cooked omelet from the edge toward the center.Continue doing this until the bottom of the omelet looks set and the top is still slightly runny.
5.At this time you may wish to place some shredded organic cheese on top.Use the spatula to fold the top half of the omelet over the middle.

Slide the omelet onto a plate, garnish with fresh sprigs of parsley. You may wish to accompany this with a nice green salad. This is great served anytime of the day really. Like the old saying goes...have eggs instead...

Enjoy!

Sylvie Thibert

Amazing Kefir recipe

Kefir is the less known cousin of yogurt.It helps in removing aging toxins via the digestive system. It is easier to tolerate for people with mild lactose intolerance. It helps relieve skin disorders and promotes longevity. Kefir has been shown to have extremely positive effects in the digestive tract, where the balance of good and bad bacteria is the foundation of our ability to fight bacterial infection, viruses, and fungal over growths. It is also believed to slow the growth of certain tumors. There is a live probiotic bacteria found in it that is strong enough to fight off pneumonia.
You can usually find this in the refrigerated section of any health food store or grocery store.Use it as you would yogurt. It makes a great base for smoothies and the sour taste offsets fruit perfectly.

Kefir blue smoothie

Heaping 1/3 cup plain kefir
Heaping 1/3 cup filtered water
1 cup organic blueberries plus extra for topping

Preparation

1.Put the kefir, water and blueberries into a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
2.Pour into glasses and top with a couple of whole blueberries.

You can find prepared Kefir in different flavors at Baxtrom's Independent Grocers in the refrigerated area of the organic section. I like to add some regularly to my plain yogurt as well with in season fruits. It tends to be a little sour on its own so this just makes all of the amazing flavors blend together and help your body enjoy the great benefits of this product.

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Free-range beef stir-fry

Grass-fed, free range beef provides fats that help with weight loss and promote youthful skin, bones and heart health. Grass-fed cattle generally get more exercise, making their meat leaner. The quality of fat contained in grass-fed beef is better.it contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which keeps the heart, joints and brain in good shape. Find a farm shop attached to its own pasture. Top round,tenderloin and flank steak are the healthiest , leanest cuts. This is a very nutrient dense food,so you only need to eat 2-4 times a month to get the benefits.

Ingredients

1 tsp coconut oil
5 oz grass fed, free range beef steak, such as top round (fat removed),
cut into thin strips
1 orange bell pepper seeded and cut into thin strips
4 green onions, trimmed and chopped
1-2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups trimmed and diagonally halved snow peas
4 large portobello mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice

Preparation
1. Heat a wok or skillet, add the oil. Add the beef and stir-fry for a few minutes or until browned.Remove beef and set aside.
2.To the wok or skillet add bell peppers,onions,jalapenos, garlic and stir-fry for a few minutes. Then add the snow peas and mushrooms and stir-fry until tender.
3.Return the beef to the wok or skillet and add orange juice. Stir-fry all ingredients 2-3 minutes until the beef is tender and the vegetables remain a touch firm (you don't want to overcook the veggies)

Serve immediately on a bed of wonderful brown rice with lentils and quinoa. This is a great meal, full of color and nutrients just waiting for you to enjoy...

Sylvie Thibert

Free-Range Chicken with zucchini

Chicken that has been reared healthy can also provide the B vitamins needed to maintain energy levels and good brain function. Choose your chicken wisely. Battery-farmed birds will not have used their muscles sufficiently to develop as a source of protein. They can also be much higher in harmful fats than free-range birds. Just the fact that these chickens live in overcrowded cages 24 hours a day, lacking natural sunlight(the much needed natural vitamin D)and daily exercise should be enough to make us realize which chicken is best for our plate.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. organic coconut oil
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 small fresh red chili, seeded and finely chopped
4 boneless free-range chicken breasts,cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 zucchinis, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed organic apple juice
1 Tbsp. Tamari sauce
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnishing
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1.Heat the coconut oil in a wok or large skillet.Add the garlic,ginger, chili, stir-fry to release the flavors.
2.Add the chicken strips and stir-fry for about 4 minutes, or until the chicken has colored all over. Add the bell peppers, zucchini and stir-fry 1-2 minutes or until slightly softened.
3.Add the apple juice, Tamari sauce and sizzle for 1-3 minutes.
4.Stir in the chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
5.Garnish with extra cilantro.

This is great served up on a bed of brown rice or quinoa. You could also add some coconut milk in this dish for the last 5 minutes of cooking, it really adds a wonderful Asian twist to it....very tasty!! Go ahead and excite your taste buds, I promise that you will love it...

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Adzuki bean stew

Adzuki beans are a great protein source.They also contain a healthy dose of soluble fiber,which keeps skin supple and nails and hair in tip-top condition.The red color of adzuki beans also provides rich helpings of protective flavonoids, especially catechins, which are also present in green tea. These are present in higher quantities in adzuki beans than in either soy or kidney beans. In combination with the fiber,protein and good B-vitamin levels, the flavonoids make these beans the perfect skin-conditioning food. This is why they are used in many anti aging skin creams and preparations. Adzuki beans are eaten widely in their native Japan. They have a sweet meaty flavour.

To shorten cooking time, soak beans overnight.
(These beans are available at Sharyn's Pantry on Pitt St.)

Ingredients

1 cup dried adzuki beans, soaked overnight in water
1 leek, sliced
1 carrot, chopped
1 sweet potato, cubed
cover the beans with homemade or organic chicken broth
1 teaspoon tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup small broccoli florets
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
4 tablespoons plain organic yogurt (optional)

Preparation

1.Drain the beans from the soaking water and rinse well. Put the beans in a saucepan, cover with chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 - 35 minutes, partially covered.(The beans should still be a little hard after this time.)

2.Add all of the other ingredients, except the broccoli and cilantro and cook for 10 minutes. Add the broccoli and cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is tender.

3. Serve in bowls topped with a spoonful of natural yogurt,if desired. You may like to serve this with steamed basmati rice or a nice green salad topped with fresh fruit and balsamic vinaigrette.

Thank you to Brenda for sharing this recipe with us. This recipe sounded so wonderful and healthy that I asked her to forward it to me to be able to share it with all of you....

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert