Dr John McDougall: Protein & Osteoporosis

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A Lesson In Patience

Recently I visited to the beautiful shores of Presque Isle in Erie, PA to celebrate my birthday.  I visit this quaint little town yearly to soak up the rays on their one of their eleven pristine beaches!  It's a very relaxing, laid back couple of days devoid of the nagging, "We have to see that, we have to do that..."  Because frankly, there is little to be done, but just enough to keep things interesting.

But, that's not what this piece is about...

Last year I took up tennis - I love it!  I love it so much that I play it every day I can regardless of the weather.  So naturally, I did some Google research before leaving on my getaway to scout out the local tennis courts.  Luckily, Erie is a tennis town!  So much so that everyone plays tennis - everyone!  On our first day in town, the first two locations (12 courts total) we attempted to play at were packed!  While, I had a lengthy list of courts to choose from, my annoyance level was high and escalating!  "Don't these people have jobs - I'm on vacation, dammit!"

Now, these were really nice courts, courts I would have loved to play at, but that wasn't going to happen.  So, I picked a random court on my list and plugged it into Helga, Helga is my personal GPS system (don't ask).  Anyway, Helga took us into some very shady and questionable area of town.  I instantly felt at home because it looked like the backstreets of Cleveland, where I once resided.  My boyfriend on the other hand has never lived in Cleveland and was questioning my sanity and our safety.  Where the hell was Helga taking us?

This is where Helga was taking us!  A modest little, weed ridden tennis court overlooking the best view of my tennis life!  I doubt there are country club courts overlooking a view like this and this one was free!  While working on my backhand, I got to watch giant sail boats drift by and feel the gently breeze blow off the lake.  It was awesome and an experience that I would have missed had the other courts been available.  Who knew such a gem was tucked away like this? Great birthday present!

Patience, sometimes life leads us in directions we can't understand until we get there.

Blow Your MIND Tomato Basil Pasta!

Original recipe found on Facebook via Simply The Best You...Healthy and Happy

Throw it all in one pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta and cook!  The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta.

Blow Your MIND Tomato Basil Pasta!  No Straining, just Stirring
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 4 cups Vegetable Broth
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 15 oz. can diced Seasoned Tomatoes with liquid
• 1 15 oz. can Black Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 2.25 oz. can sliced Black Olives (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup Spinach (chopped)
• 1 Red Pepper (chopped)
• 1 large Sweet Onion (cut in half moons)
• 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 2 large sprigs of Basil (chopped)
• 4 Garlic Cloves (diced)
• 1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Salt

Directions:

1. Place Pasta, Tomatoes, Black Beans, Black Olives, Spinach, Red Pepper, Onion, Nutritional Yeast, Garlic & Basil in a large stock pot
2. Pour in Vegetable Broth
3. Mix in Seasonings
4. Cover pot and bring to a boil
5. Reduce to simmer and keep covered, cook for about 10 minutes or until almost all liquid has evaporated, stirring every so often

How to Meditate Anywhere

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The Best Vegan Pasta Alfredo!

The Best Vegan Pasta Alfredo!
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Pasta
• 1 cup Cashews
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened plain Almond Milk
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 Lemon
• 2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions
2. Meanwhile place Cashews, Milk, Garlic, Juice of Lemon & Seasonings into a Vitamix
3. Blend for 6 minutes
4. Combine Pasta with Sauce and indulge!

Hoff Thoughts: If using a traditional blender, blend Sauce until smooth and then heat through separately.

Dr. Wahls On Macular Degeneration

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Hoff's Vegan Stroganoff

Hoff's Vegan Stroganoff
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free


Ingredients:

• 8 oz. Radiatore Pasta (because it's fun and holds the sauce well)
• 1/2 Onion (diced)
• 1/2 container Portabella Mushrooms (diced)
• 1 tbsp Arrowroot
• 1 cup unflavored Almond Milk
• 1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos
• 2 tbsp Mustard

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to box directions
2. Meanwhile, caramelize Onions
3. Add Mushrooms and Garlic and cook until softened
4. Stir in Arrowroot
5. Stir in Milk & Veggie Broth
6. Reduce heat to simmer and stir occasionally until sauce thickens
7. Add Pasta and eat!

My 2 Cents: Sauce will thicken even more if held until the following day.  I'd prefer to make this dish using wide egg noodles, but I have yet to find a whole wheat version minus the egg.