Dr Pam Popper: Should Women get a Mammography?

Check out this video snack!

Hoff's Quick Leek Soup

Hoff's Quick Leek Soup
Serves: 2

meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 2 Leeks (sliced thinly & rinsed)
• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, sautee Leeks until softened
2. Pour in Broth
3. Stir in Seasonings
4. Simmer for 10 minutes & serve!

My2Cents:
Leeks have sand in the middle of the stalk.  After slicing, separate the rings to expose the sand and soak in a bowl of water.  The Leeks will float to the top, while the sand sinks to the bottom.  Rinse thoroughly.

Hoff's Chop Suey

Hoff's Chop Suey
Serves: 2 (with leftovers)

meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients: 

Sauce

• 1 Onion (chopped)
• 8 oz Mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 4 cups Water/Veggie Broth
• 3 tbsp Braggs/Coconut Aminos
• 4 tbsp Arrowroot or Kuzu Root
• 1 tsp Ginger Powder

Chop

• 2 cups Jasmine Rice
• 1 cup Bean Sprouts
• 1 cup Sauerkraut
• 1 can Water Chestnuts (rinsed & drained)

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, sautee Onions & Mushrooms until soft
2. Add Garlic
3. Whisk together Water/Broth, Braggs/Aminos, Ginger & Arrowroot/Kuzu, stir into Onions & Mushrooms
4. Stir constantly until mixture boils, thickens & turns a dark, glossy brown
5. Meanwhile, prepare Rice according to the package
6. In a large non-stick wok or frying pan, lightly sautee Bean Sprouts, Kraut & Water Chestnuts
7. Combine Veggies & Gravy, ladle over Rice prior to serving
8. Chopstick time!

Maple Cured Tofu

Maple Cured Tofu

Yields: As much as you need

meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free

Ingredients:

• Firm Tofu
• Water
• Braggs
• Maple Syrup

Directions:

1. Cut Tofu into desired pieces
2. Place Tofu in a shallow glass baking dish
3. Add enough Water to cover
4. Add enough Braggs to get a dark amber color
5. Add about 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
6. Allow to marinate for 7-10 minutes
7. Drain marinade
8. Broil Tofu 3-4 minutes each side

Is My Watermelon Ripe?

It's best to buy your watermelon from a Farmer's Market as those are picked the morning of at the
peak of ripeness.  Commercial watermelons are picked prior to ripeness so they ripen during transport.  If you're stuck buying commercial, here are some telltale signs of readiness...

1. Yellow or light bottom
2. Tape it, it sounds hollow
3. Heavy for its size

Hoff's Summer Pasta Salad II

Hoff's Summer Pasta Salad II
Yields: About 13 cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
 

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. Gluten-free Pasta
• 1 16oz. bottle Marzetti Fat Free Italian Dressing
• 2 cups Spinach (chopped)
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
• 1 3.8oz. can sliced Black Olives (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15oz. can Cannellini Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 Cucumber (peeled & deseeded)
• 1 Red Onion/Sweet Onion (chopped)
• 1 cup Matchstick Carrots (chopped)
• 1/3 cup Sesame Seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta to al dentde according to directions on package
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl & allow to marinate in fridge at least one hour before serving

Hoff Thoughts: Deseeding the cucumber prevents it from watering down the salad, especially if it will not be consumed immediately.  Always peel store bought cucumbers to avoid the wax that commercial growers shellac on.  If using an organic cucumber or one from a Farmer's Market, feel free to leave intact.

Seasonal Eating: Summer

It's finally Summer - wooo hooo!  My favorite season by far!  You will never hear me complain about hot weather.

With that being said, Summer is the time to focus on keeping cool and staying hydrated.  To counteract how hot and dry our bodies are at this time of the year, seek more cooling, moist foods such as melons and cucumbers.  It's also important to avoid stimulants like coffee and black tea, which dehydrate the body and raise your internal temperature.

Naturally, you will feel like eating lighter - perfect time for that Big Salad.   Now is the optimum time to amp up your intake of raw foods.


Summers Foods:

• Apricots
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cherries
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Fennel
• Figs
• Green Beans
• Lettuce
• Lima Beans
• Melons
• Nectarines
• Okra
• Onions
• Pears
• Peas
• Peaches
• Peppers
• Plums
• Potatoes
• Snap Peas
• Spinach
• Squash
• Tomatoes

Cooking

No one wants to crank up the oven when it's 90 degrees outside.  Fortunately, in the Summer, it's best to use as little heat as possible to maintain moisture in food.  Try lightly steamed, blanched, and raw foods.

Check out Hoff's Summer Lovin' Grilled Veggies!

I wish it could be Summer everyday...

Be Cool!
The Hoff

Seasonal Eating: Fall, Winter, Spring

Sources:
http://deliciousliving.com/lifestyle/beginner-s-guide-seasonal-eating?page=2
http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-local