Happy Fourth of July!

Hoff's Mediterranean Mix

Hoff's Mediterranean Mix
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free
 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Orzo
• 1 can Chickpeas (drained & rinsed)
• 1 half Sweet Onion (cut into half moons)
• 3 cups Greens (chopped)
• 1/3 cup Pasta Cooking Water
• 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 2 tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos
• 2 tbsp Mustard
• 1 tbsp minced Ginger

Directions:

1. Bring large pot of Water to boil
2. Add Orzo, Chickpeas & Onions & cook for 4 minutes
3. Add Greens to top of water, cover & cook for an additional 4 minutes
4. Meanwhile, mix together reserved Pasta Water, Nutritional Yeast, Lemon Juice, Braggs, Mustard & Ginger - set aside
5. Drain cooking water, mix together Pasta & Sauce

My2Cents: Experiment with different Greens: Bok Choy, Chard, Collards, Kale, Spinach etc.  The Lemon Juice will add brightness to the Greens, making them pop!  By adding the Onions to the cooking water, you save a step and a pan by not sauteing them, they will come out perfectly softened.

Event: 11th Annual Healthy Lifestyle Expo 2012

11th Annual Healthy Lifestyle Expo 2012

A weekend that will change your life!

Weekend Activities:

• Hear the latest information and research about health from our panel of experts
• Learn how to incorporate healthy changes into your life
• Interact with like-minded people with whom you can form a healthy support system
• Taste delicious plant-powered meals, and learn how to make them yourself
• Meet in person your favorite doctors, authors, and personalities
• Purchase discounted items from the store which will help keep you on your healthy path
• Cooking demonstations
• Friday night gourmet, low fat vegan banquet
• More to come...

Scheduled Speakers:

• John McDougall MD
• Joel Fuhrman MD
• Jeff Novick MS RD
• Caldwell B. Esselstyn JR MD
• John Robbins
• Michael Klaper MD
• Neal Barnard MD
• Jeffrey Smith
• Heng Sure, PhD

When: October 12-15, 2012
Time: TBD
Where: Warner Center Marriott Hotel: 21850 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367
Cost: $200
Registration: https://secure2.vegsource.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=75

Contact for more info!

"Health is not luck. We have an innate ability to maintain good health if we establish the optimal environment for healing." - Joel Fuhrman, MD

Watch an excerpt from the 2011 Expo!

Stevia: a natural sugar alternative

A few years ago, I discovered that I had developed a sugar intolerance.  As a result, I went on the hunt in search of an alternative to sugar.

There was no way I was going to indulge in artificial sweeteners.

Why...

Besides artificial sweeteners being a man-made Frankenstein food, this is what one expert has to say on the matter...

"Dr. Ginger Southall of the Hippocrates Health Institute emphatically states that the use of chemical sweeteners of any kind -aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal, Sweet' N Low, saccharin, Canderel and even Splenda - is not advised." Southall further states, "Artificial sweeteners are potent nerve toxins and never should have been approved for human consumption.  They have the potential to damage your nervous system - your brain and nerves - leading to a variety of symptoms from migraine headaches to unexplained seizures, dizziness, depression and vision problems.  They are even linked to cancer, obesity and diabetes." - Crazy, Sexy, Diet

For more information on man-made chemical sweeteners, check out DORway, a website dedicated to Aspartame & Aspartame Poisoning information.


Fortunately, I stumbled upon an all-natural, plant-based sugar alternative called, Stevia.


What is it...

Stevia is derived from a South American herb and can be up to 25-30 times sweeter than sugar.  It comes from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant in the Chrysanthemum family which grows wild as a small shrub mostly in Paraguay and Brazil.

It has zero carbs, zero calories and no glycemic index, which means it's safe for diabetics to use.

Stevia comes in two forms - powder and in liquid form.


Is it healthy?

Stevia is a whole food, as it is created by grinding the dried Stevia leaves into powder.

There are no known side effects to consuming Stevia.

It aids in the digestive process.

It is safe for diabetics to consume as it helps to regulate blood sugar levels.  "The Japanese have been using stevia for decades in the treatment of type 2 diabetics." - Mark's Daily Apple

Some studies suggest it may aid in cavity prevention (you still have to brush & floss!). 

All that being said, it's still a sweetener and should be used in moderation, just like sugar.  You're not consuming Stevia for health, you're consuming it to satisfy your sweet tooth (you can't fool me).


Nutrition

1 Packet (1/2 gram) of Stevia

Calories: 0
Total Fat: 0
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Protein: 0g


Read your labels!

Look for products in which Stevia is the only ingredient, although a fiber or inulin additive is acceptable, but unnecessary.

SweetLeaf is a brand that I typically use.

Or, instead of buying it, you can grow your own Stevia!


What to do with it...

Use Stevia just as you would regular sugar - to bake with, cook with, sweeten coffee, teas, smoothies etc.  The only thing you can't do with Stevia is caramelize it as you can sugar.


Where to find it...

Gaining in popularity, Stevia can be in found in the baking isle, next to the sugar of most major grocery chains as well as in the supplement isle of the same chains.  (Before it was approved by the FDA for use as sweetener in 2009, Stevia was sold as a supplement.)  It can also be found in Health & Natural Food Stores and online - Amazon or Vitacost.


Keep It Sweet!
The Hoff

Sources: Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It! by Kris Carr
Mark's Daily Apple
Stevia.com
Stevia.net
Thrive The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports & Life by Brendan Brazier

Sherbert Lemonade

Check out this super simple recipe from Jason Vale, the Juice Master, a cinch to make in your juicer!  Amaze your party guests this summer with this delicious & healthy drink!  All I can say is that this drink is awesome!


Sherbert Lemonade
Serves: 1



Ingredients

• 2 Golden Delicious Apples
• 1 Lemon
• Ice

Directions

1. Slice end off of Lemon and cut a 1" thick slice, leaving the peel on
2. Throw Apples and Lemon slice into Juicer
3. Pour over Ice & Drink!

Check out Jason's video for a play by play of this easy recipe:

Hoff Hit: Excellent Source of Omega-3s

Looking for a rock star source of Omega-3s?

Flaxseed is the most concentrated source there is, but skip the oil and grind whole Flaxseeds instead.  Sprinkle on or in anything and everything - oatmeal, cereal, soup, salad, pancake mix or add whole to a Smoothie before blending.

Store Flaxseed in the fridge to extend it's shelf-life.

What is Nutritional Yeast?

You've may have noticed that I reference Nutritional Yeast in a lot of my recipes: Hoff's Buttery Rice, Hoff's Chickzo, Hoff's Pesto Sauce - you get the picture.

So, what is it?

Nutritional Yeast is classified as a nutritional food supplement.  It is derived from fermenting yeast, among other things.  Depending on your taste buds or how you use it, it can take on a salty, nutty, cheesy or buttery flavor.  Vegans tend to use it in place of cheese in recipes.  It comes in flake or powder form and can be used as part of a recipe or as a condiment.  

Is it healthy?

Yes, Nutritional Yeast is usually fortified with B12 (make sure it is), making it an excellent source for this essential vitamin, which is lacking in a vegan/vegetarian diet.  Nutritional Yeast is low in fat and sodium and free of dairy, sugar & gluten.  Typically free of preservatives, it also contains protein, fiber and essential amino acids.  Depending on the brand it may contain B vitamins, niacin, folic acid, zinc and selenium.  But to be honest, I use it for the taste & the B12, everything else is just a bonus.  

Where to get it...

Nutritional Yeast is a very popular item in the bulk bins of "healthy" grocery stores. It's a great bargain because it weighs next to nothing, so you can get a lot and pay very little - I stock up this way when the opportunity presents itself.

It can also be found in the supplement section of health food stores.

I typically get my Nutritional Yeast from Vitacost.com, because I don't have a "healthy" grocery store nearby.  They sell Bob's Red Mill for $9 for an 8oz. bag.  A little more than I suspect I would pay at the bulk bin, but this one is a convenience factor.  Or you can get a handy dandy shaker by Red Star for $4 for an 5oz. bottle.  I like them both.

What to do with it...

I use it as a flavor enhancer, particularly when I'm looking for a cheesy or buttery taste.  You can use it as a topping/add-in for just about everything - pizza, scrambled tofu, garlic bread, stir-fry, spaghetti, casseroles, chili, soups, mashed potatoes, gravies, cheese sauce...  Many times, vegan mac & cheese recipes will rely heavily on Nutritional Yeast.  It also makes a great topping for popcorn - spray popcorn with a little Bragg Liquid Aminos and then mix in some Nutritional Yeast - cheesy popcorn!

Where to put it...

Store it in a cool, dry place (hmm, your cabinet perhaps). I like to store mine in a glass mason jar (along with ever other dry-good in my kitchen).

At first you may think, "This tastes nothing like cheese!"  Give it a fair chance, eventually your taste buds will come around and in the absence of real cheese, this stuff may become your new best friend.

Keep It Healthy!

The Hoff