What If Money Didn't Matter?

Check out this inspiring, short, 3 minute video posing the question,
What If Money Didn't Matter?

Don't feel bad if you don't have an answer to that - I don't.  However, I intend to watch this video daily until I figure it out.



 
Narrated by Alan Watts

Hoff's Veggie Chili

This is a dump recipe intended for a crock pot and a long, slow day of fall/winter cooking.


Hoff's Veggie Chili
Yields: A lot!
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 1 - 15 oz can of 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 2 - 16 oz cans of Kidney Beans - rinsed (light or dark)
• 1 - 28 oz can of Diced Tomatoes (consider seasoned)
• 1 cup Brown Rice
• 1 cup Lentils
• 1 large Sweet Onion - chopped
• 1/2 package Portabella Mushrooms - chopped
  
• 1 Pepper - chopped (color of choice)
• 1/2 bag Matchstick Carrots
• 1 Zucchini
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 1 - 46 oz can Tomato Juice
• 1/4 cup Liquid Smoke
• 3 tbsp Chili Powder
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 1 tbsp Cinnamon
• 1 tbsp Cumin

Directions:

1. Dump Pumpkin, Kidney Beans, Tomatoes, Barley, Lentils, Onion, Mushrooms & Pepper into crock pot
2. In a food processor, finely chop Carrots, Zucchini & Garlic together, add to crock pot
3. Pour Tomato Juice into crock pot
4. Add seasonings
5. Set to low and allow to cook for at least 5 hours

My 2 Cents:
The pumpkin in this recipe kicks up the fiber content a ton!  The liquid smoke is that key ingredient that will catapult this chili into greatness!  As for the carrots and and zucchini, you'll never notice they are there, but you'll still get their nutrients!

I will stretch this chili for the entire week by pairing it with spaghetti for "Skyline" chili, over a baked potato, over toast, over corn bread, over baked corn chips - let your imagination run wild!

Don't be afraid to trust your instincts - if you don't like an ingredient, don't use it, if your gut tells you to try another ingredient - go for it!

GMO: Hate The 8

Mystery Soup!

Has the end of the week come and your fridge is still jammed with healthy produce you had every good intention on consuming?

No worries - make soup!

Chop up larger things and throw everything into a large pot and cover with equal parts Water & Veggie Broth.

Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until everything is soft (I let mine go for a few hours).

Season with your favorites: Tomato Sauce, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Cumin, etc.

Using an inversion blender, blend into a rich, creamy soup.  Or, using a blender, blend about 2 cups at a time (to prevent a messy overflow).  If the soup is too thin, throw in a few spoonfuls of Instant Mashed Potato Flakes to thicken things up.

Something different every week...

Hoff's "Alfredo" Sauce

Hoff's "Alfredo" Sauce
Yields: About 3 Cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Garbanzo Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup Almond Milk (plain)
• 1 cup Veggie Stock
• 1/2 cup Cashews
• 1 clove of Garlic
• 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tbsp White Miso
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• Pinch of Nutmeg
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Using a Vitamix or blender, blend all ingredients together until smooth, 1-2 minutes
2. Serve with pasta, veggies, etc. 

What is Flax Seed?

What is it?

Flax seed is considered a super-food because it is an excellent source for Omega-3 fatty acids.   Omega-3s are essential because they cannot be synthesized by the body but, are vital for normal metabolism and overall health.

*Evidence suggests that Omega-3s can help with such issues as: Heart Disease, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and certain cancers among other things.

The seed comes from the stem of a plant native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India.

There are two basic varieties of Flax seed - Brown and Golden/Yellow.  Brown and Golden have very similar nutritional profiles, but Golden tends to have less Omega-3's.

Flax comes in either Whole Seed form or Ground form. Both are not shelf-stable due to their oils turning rancid easily and must be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Because our teeth are not strong enough to break through the hull of the Flax Seed, it must be ground prior to consumption or the nutrients will be lost.  Many invest in a coffee grinder - grinding a weeks' worth of Flax at a time.  If adding to a smoothie, the blender will take care of this for you.


Is it Healthy?

• Excellent source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Good source of fiber
• Help lower LDL Cholesterol
• Keep Blood Glucose leveled
• Regulate digestion & improve nutrition absorption

What to do with Flax?

• Add to Smoothies
• Add to homemade Hummus
• Add to homemade any Baked Goods
• Add to homemade Bread
• Top Oatmeal/Cereal
• Sprinkle on Salads
• Mix with Water for Egg/Oil Substitute

Keep It Healthy!
The Hoff

Source: *http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

Enjoy Life: New Gluten-Free Vegan Cookies!!!

Before I begin, full disclosure - Enjoy Life approached me and asked if I would try their new line of cookies.  They sent me all four flavors for free and here is my honest opinion of these cookies...

They ROCK!

To clarify, I have tried a lot of gluten-free products, most of which flat out sucked.  But these babies hold their own again their gluten laden counterparts.

Triple score bonus - they are Vegan & contain no trans fats (Snoopy happy dance)!!!

They do unfortunately contain oil; palm oil to be exact.  So if you're sensitive to oil or avoid it for health or weight issues, these aren't the perfect cookies.  However, for those who can tolerate a little oil here and there, these are the perfect treat (notice I said treat and not a part of a daily regimen).  I will confess, that I have been chowing down on these cookies daily, in obscene amounts since they arrived on my doorstep - yeah, they are that good!

I mentioned four flavors, they are Double Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Honey Graham and Sugar Crisp.  Double Chocolate is hands down my ultimate favorite, followed by Chocolate Chip.  The Vanilla Honey Graham is a unique flavor and isn't bad.  The Sugar Crisp is very similar to the Graham and isn't something I would typically buy.  Then again in any cookie arena, I'm always going to go for chocolate, but if someone handed me either one of these non-chocolate cookies, I wouldn't turn my back on them.

These cookies are thin & crispy and about the size of a soft ball (flattened of course).  They taste so awesome, that you would seriously question if they were in fact Vegan or Gluten-free.  While I am no longer sensitive to gluten, I would buy these cookies in a heart beat, as limiting one's exposure to gluten, can reduce the chances of one becoming sensitive.

They are sold both online through various retailers and in grocers and natural food stores (check the gluten-free aisle).

Check'em out!
The Hoff