Healthiest Baked Blooming Onion & Dipping Sauce

This recipe for a baked blooming onion is healthier than the deep fried version of the classic blooming onion. The panko made this blooming onion crispy, flavorful, and made for a really fun appetizer.  Definitely a timeless treat, made all the better when it’s not loaded so many calories and unhealthy ingredients.

Ingredients:

BLOOMING ONION:
1 large organic Vidalia onion (or any yellow onion)
2/3 cup organic Panko crumbs or organic bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 Tbsp. cajun seasoning (optional)
2 organic ( free range) eggs

DIPPING SAUCE:
1/2 cup organic sourcream
2 Tbsp. organic ketchup
2 tsp. organic horseradish sauce
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. organic paprika
1/8 tsp. organic garlic powder
1/8 tsp. organic oregano flakes


Directions:

THE BLOOMING ONION:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On a cutting board, use a knife to cut off the top (not the root) 1/4-inch of the onion until a few of the inside layers are exposed. Peel the outermost layer of the onion down to the root, but leave the root intact.

Lay the onion on the cutting board so that the flat side (that you just cut) is facing downward. Then use a knife to section the onion into 16ths, beginning with your knife 1/8-inch away from the root and cutting straight down. Once all cuts are complete, turn the onion over and set on a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Then use your fingers to gently spread apart the petals. If any of your cuts did not go all the way through, you can use a paring knife to be sure that the entire onion is cut into 16ths.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Panko, cajun seasoning and sea salt until combined.

In a separate (additional) bowl, whisk the eggs until combined.

Beginning with the lowest (bottom) layers of the onion, brush the top of each petal with the egg mixture until coated, then immediately sprinkle with the Panko mixture. Repeat until all petals are coated.

Carefully form a tent with aluminum foil over the baking sheet until the onion is completely enclosed. Bake for 5 minutes, then remove tent and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the onion is soft and the tips are lightly crisped.

Remove and serve with desired sauces.



TIP:  Soak your sliced onion in cold water overnight, it will open up naturally on its own.


Other dipping sauces:
Honey Mustard
Ranch


Enjoy!
Laurel xoxo

The Most Powerful Cancer Cure Recipe

The Russian Scientist, Dr. Mermerski has developed a cancer treating recipe that treats the entire body. This overall healing effect is the best natural cure for all types of cancer.

This recipe treats the whole organism: cleanses the blood vessels, the liver, kidneys, restores the immune system and the whole system of excretion from pathogen microflora. Improves the brain function and memory, keeps you safe from heart attack and heals the person who faced any of these conditions. It is very good in the fight against joint inflammation and every type of cancer. It regulates the body weight too.

Ingredients:
15 ripe organic lemons
12 organic garlic heads
1 kg/ 35 oz organic honey
400 grams/14 oz  organic wheat sprouts
400 grams/14 oz organic walnuts

Directions:
Grind wheat sprouts in a coffee grinder. Grind garlic and nuts together and add 5 lemons (do not peel them). Use food processor to grind garlic nuts and lemons. Use only the juice of the remaining 10 lemons, and add it to the mixture. Add honey and stir well.

Keep the mixture in sterilized jars and be sure the lids  are well closed. Store the jars in a fridge. You can use the prepared mixture after it rests for 3 days in the fridge.

Doses:

• Take 1-2 tablespoons 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime
• In cases of oncologic diseases – take 1-2 tablespoons in every 2 hours

This recipe guarantees health and long life, keeps you fresh, young and energetic because it contains all the required vitamins, minerals, bioactive substances, proteins, carbohydrates and vegetable fats. It improves the work of your organs and glands. You can add a little bit of ginger if you like.

Enjoy A Happy and Healthy Life!

Laurel  xoxo

Honey Nut Popcorn Snack

Looking for a healthy snack food for your family?  This recipe is easy to make and your family will love it!  Perfect for watching football or family movie nights!

Honey Nut Popcorn Snack

Ingredients:
3 quarts organic popped popcorn (1/2 cup kernels)
1/2 c. melted organic butter
1/2 c. raw honey
1 c. organic almonds or organic peanuts

Directions:
Blend the butter and honey together, heat gently on the stove. Mix popcorn with nuts and pour honey-butter mixture over all. Mix well, spread on  a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container.


Enjoy!

Laurel xoxo

Moist Whole Wheat Applesauce Banana Bread

This is a moist banana bread recipe that I make fairly often with leftover, very ripe bananas. I add more mashed banana and applesauce instead of oil, which makes this recipe so moist!


Ingredients:

 1/3 cup organic applesauce (unsweetened)
 1/2 cup raw or local honey
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 2 cage-free organic eggs
 1 3/4 cups mashed ripe bananas
 1 3/4 cups organic whole wheat flour
 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
 1 teaspoon baking soda
 1/4 cup hot spring water
 1/2 teaspoon organic ceylon cinnamon
 1/2 cup chopped organic walnuts (optional)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F 
2. In a large bowl, beat applesauce and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and cinnamon. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. 
3. Blend in walnuts (optional). Spread batter into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
4. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1/2 hour before slicing.

Enjoy!

Laurel  xoxo

Non-Dairy Asian Coleslaw

I’m not a big fan of traditional coleslaw. Call me crazy, but I really don’t get the appeal of raw cabbage swimming in mayonnaise.  I tried many different ingredients for cole slaw dressing and finally came up with my own recipe that in my opinion is one of the best.

In my recipe, I use lemon juice, a little honey and generous amount of olive oil. Not only is it healthier, it makes for a light, citrus flavor that tastes delicious.


Ingredients:

1/4 small organic red cabbage
1/2 small organic green cabbage
1/2  to 1 organic carrot, shredded
Zest of 1/2 organic lemon
1/4 cup organic lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon raw honey (add more for sweeter slaw)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: (1/4 cup organic shredded broccoli)

Directions:

1. Remove any tough outer leaves from the cabbage.
2. Trim the core and any tough stems from the cabbage and thinly slice.
3. Add to a bowl with the shredded carrot, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt and black pepper. Toss to combine.
4. Serve this right away for more of a salad, or store it in the fridge overnight for a slaw that’s more pickled. 
5. Makes:  6-8 servings

Enjoy!

Laurel xoxo

The Best Juice For Stress Relief

Bad skin? Always tired? Stressed out?  I found a juice recipe to help fix some of these health needs.  I have been stressed lately, and I found that this juice recipe works wonders. It's so simple to make and delicious.

Spinach is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps elevate your mood and promotes better sleep. It's also high in magnesium, which helps to relax nerves and muscles.

Ingredients:

2 big handfuls organic spinach
3 to 4 stalks organic broccoli
3 to 4 stalks organic celery
1 large or 2 small organic carrots

Directions:

Add all ingredients to your juicer or blender and blend for 30 seconds. That's all you do!  Drink up!



Enjoy!

Laurel xoxo

Iced Rooibos Organic Tea & Health Benefits

The health benefits of red rooibos tea are abundant. This form of tea has traditionally been popular due to its great taste and unique color, while also boosting the health of the body. Rooibos tea or red tea is a medicinal, herbal beverage that is acquired from the Aspalathus linearis bush plant that is found in South Africa. According to the South African Rooibos Council, rooibos is not a true tea, but an herb. The fermented tea is red in color.

The amazing health benefits of Red Rooibos Tea include a cure for nagging headaches, insomnia, asthma, eczema, bone weakness, hypertension, allergies, and premature aging.

The tea is absolutely free from caffeine content and is also low in tannins. You can enjoy the refreshing beverage all day long with no possible side effects. Drinking rooibos tea can further ease severe stomach cramps, as well as bring relief to asthma and other related conditions. It also boosts the immune system of the human body.

I prepare a pitcher of Iced Rooibos Tea and drink it every day
because it's become one of my favorite iced teas. The recipe is easy to make and tastes fruity and sweet which is why you don't need to add much sweetener. I make it the easy way in my coffee maker but you can also boil it on the stove if you desire.

This is my easy recipe:

Ingredients:

4 organic rooibos tea bags
10 cups spring water
2 teaspoons raw honey
1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed organic lemon
Ice Cubes

Directions:

Pour the water into your coffee maker and put the tea bags in the basket to brew your tea.

Add the honey and lemon to your pitcher. When the tea is finished brewing, pour it into the pitcher and stir.  Add the ice cubes and refrigerate.



Enjoy!!

Lauren xoxo

Homemade Delicious Cheese & Bean Burritos

My recipe for burritos is so easy to make! Roll up a few burritos, bake them and eat them now or freeze individually for super-easy lunches and dinners down the road. Add a side of brown rice and overall they are a wonderful healthy choice.

The main ingredients I use in my burritos are delicious even though they are store bought. Fast food burrito chains can’t even come close to this level of nutrition and quality.

Ingredients
6 small organic whole grain tortillas
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (I use Eden Organic Canned black beans)
2 cups organic salsa or homemade salsa
3 oz cheddar cheese (or your favorite)
chilli powder to taste
½ of an onion chopped
Toppings: avocado, sour cream, lime wedges

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees for 10 minutes
• Place tortillas on top of parchment paper lined aluminum foil 
• Place ¼ cup of black beans on each tortilla
• Sprinkle chili powder on top of black beans (to taste)
• Add about a tablespoon of onion on top of beans
• Top each burrito with one tablespoon of salsa
• Shred cheese and top each burrito with a handful
• Roll and wrap each tortilla tightly
• Put the burritos in oven on a rack.  
• Store burritos in a ziplock bag in the freezer until ready to use.
• Cooking time varies: Fresh burritos - 10 mins; Defrosted burritos - 20 mins and frozen burritos - 30 mins. 
• Serve with avocado, romaine, sour cream, lime wedges 
• Store leftover burritos in the freezer (ziplock freezer bag until ready to use)

Enjoy!

Laurel xoxo

Spinach Souffle

Moist and light as a feather, this soufflé takes the concept of vegetables to a new level. Even professed spinach-haters like this dish! Many cooks are hesitant to try their hand at making soufflés, but there is nothing mysterious or difficult about the process. If you know how to beat and fold egg whites into a base, your soufflé will be a success. Perhaps the most difficult part of making a soufflé is knowing when it should be taken out of the oven. Use your nose as a guide and remember that a soufflé is meant to be very moist, not dry. Even if your soufflé falls before it gets to the table, it will still taste delicious!


Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons organic unsalted butter, for greasing soufflé dish
3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, for dusting soufflé dish
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons organic all-purpose flour
1 cup organic milk
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Few grinds of fresh nutmeg
3 cups (packed) fresh organic baby spinach, chopped, about 5 ounces
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
4 large egg yolks
6 large egg whites, at room temperature

Directions:
Butter a 1 1/2 quart soufflé dish. Dust the sides and bottom lightly with the 3 tablespoons of Parmesan; set aside.

Melt the 3 tablespoons of butter in a pan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the milk all at once and whisk to blend. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the spinach to the hot béchamel sauce and cook until it wilts, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the egg yolks and cheese, then remove from the heat, and transfer mixture to a large bowl. Let cool for at least 15 minutes.

Position a rack in the lower middle of the oven and preheat to 375 F.

Place the egg whites in a clean bowl and beat with an electric mixer until foamy. Continue beating until the whites form soft and shiny peaks. Do not over beat or the whites will be stiff and dry.

Stir one-quarter of the egg whites into the spinach base to lighten the mixture. Quickly fold in the remaining whites. Don't worry if the whites are not evenly distributed: it is better to have some streaks rather than deflate them.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place on a baking tray in the oven and cook until the soufflé has puffed and risen 1 to 2 inches above the rim of the dish, 25 to 35 minutes. When a soufflé is cooked, you can generally tell because the aroma of it permeates the room. The soufflé should still be moist in the center but firm around the edges. Avoid the temptation of opening the oven to check on it, as you will lose the heat and the soufflé may fall.

Serve immediately.


Enjoy!
Laurel ♥

BLACK BEAN & MANGO SALAD

Ingredients:
1 can organic black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium organic mango, peeled and diced
1 avocado, peeled and diced
1 small onion, peeled and diced
1/4 cup minced cilantro
2 Tablespoons organic lemon or lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Refrigerate for one hour.
Serves 6.

Serve cold with tortilla chips or warm over quinoa for a complete meal.

Did you know?

• Mangoes are the most popular fruit in the world!

How To Pick A Ripe Mango:

• A red color does not mean it is ripe. If a mango is slightly soft when you gently squeeze it, it is ripe.
• Look for mangoes free from bruising and "soft spots" that are mushy.
• Let mangoes ripen at room temperature, and refrigerate once they are ripe.

Health Benefits:

Mangoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C which support immune health.  Mangoes are also a great source of folate which supports heart health.

Enjoy!

Laurel ♥

Boost Your Libido! Make A Cup of Sex Coffee!

Do you want to make a Cup of Sex Coffee?
All you need are these 5 organic ingredients and add it to coffee: maca, cacao, raw honey, coconut milk and cinnamon. These 5 raw foods have been used since ancient times to support your sex drive.

MACA: An Aztec root, usually found in powder form is an adaptogen which supports your body in creating the enzymes it needs to balance hormones and enhance fertility. It's often promoted as an aphrodisiac, which can increase libido.
CACAO: Raw cacao is a stimulant. It gets your blood pumping and triggers your body to release seratonin, which enhances mood.
CINNAMON: Cinnamon promotes vital energy, keeping your body from losing stamina that can come after a busy day.
RAW HONEY: Honey may increase stamina, and has been shown to increase virility and fertility.
COCONUT MILK: Many cultures have used coconut milk to naturally balance hormones and to increase sex drive. Full of healthy fats, coconut milk will give you a boost of energy. 

Try making this coffee once a week, especially when you have time to sip slowly and really enjoy your day. You'll get your regular dose of caffeine, plus the added boost from the world's most ancient sex-related superfoods. 

HOW TO MAKE SEX COFFEE
Try to make this coffee once or twice a week if you want the added benefits of superfoods to support your sex drive. It tastes similar to Mexican Hot Chocolate - dark chocolate, cinnamon, with just a bit of sweetness.

Organic Ingredients:
2/3 cup hot coffee
1 tablespoon raw cacao
2 tablespoons coconut milk
1 tablespoon raw honey
1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
1 teaspoon maca

Pour coffee into a medium bowl. Add cacao, coconut milk, honey, and cinnamon. Whip with hand blender until frothy. Add the maca and whip it good! Serve immediately.


Have fun and enjoy! Wink ;)
Laurel ♥  

Delicious Christmas Cocktails for Your Holiday Celebration

 Organic Cocktails for Your Holiday Celebration

Work organic into your holiday cocktail mix to avoid harmful food preservatives, colors, and pesticides.

Pesticide-free fare is spilling over into the cocktail glass, too. Organic cocktails are becoming commonplace at holiday parties. With more people wanting in their glass what's on their plates, it's getting easier all the time to find all sorts of organic fruits, veggies, herbs—and even booze—for making 100 percent organic cocktails.

Most cities or towns with decent wine or liquor stores will carry at least some organic hooch. And if you can't find it on local shelves, just about anything you want can be ordered online. (You can make your own simple syrup by simply stirring  organic sugar in boiling water, and then setting aside to thicken.)
If you do drink during the holidays, why not try incorporating some organic elements into the mix? And, of course, be careful not to overindulge. Overdoing it can erase the heart-healthy benefits of alcohol, and could even lead to holiday heart syndrome, an abnormal heart rhythm caused by binge drinking that often occurs during holiday festivities.


Here are a few organic holiday cocktail recipes:

BLACKBERRY LEMONADE VODKA COCKTAIL
With a hint of sour and a touch of sweet, the completely Organic “Blackberry Lemonade Vodka” cocktail is a delicious holiday treat.

1 Organic Lemon
8 Organic Blackberries
1 ounce Organic Simple Syrup
1 1/2 ounces Organic Vodka

Squeeze the juice of one medium size organic lemon into a cocktail shaker. Add 8 Organic Blackberries and muddle together well. Add 1 ounce of Organic Simple Syrup. Add about 1 cup of ice into the cocktail shaker. Pour 1 1/2 ounces of Organic Vodka over the ice. Shake vigorously. Pour the entire cocktail into a rocks glass.

Organic Lemon juice has been known to be a natural fat-burner for centuries and also helps your body with water retention and removes any toxins (remember to drink a water with lemon any post-cocktail mornings). *Meyer Lemons are a variety of lemons that have a sweet side, perfect for cocktails!

Organic Blackberries are very high in fibre, Vitamin C and other wonderful nutrients. Blackberries are great antioxidants and their sweet flavor satisfies the nagging sweet-tooth.
Serving Suggestions: Crowd pleasing and beautiful, this organic cocktail will look perfect on the table for a dinner party or special cocktail get-together.


PINK GRAPEFRUIT SPARKLER

3 oz. Pink Grapefruit Sparkling ICE, 2 oz. Square One Organic Vodka, 1 oz. Fruitlab Organic Orange Liquor,  ½ oz. lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass filled with with ice and stir.


MINNESOTA MOJITO

1 splash Phillips Peppermint Schnapps 1 oz. Prairie Organic Vodka 1 tbsp. honey ½ lime (cut into wedges) ¼ c. mint leaves Sparkling water Garnish: mint sprig

Muddle mint leaves, honey, lime wedges, and peppermint schnapps in a mixing glass. Pour mixture into a glass, add ice and vodka, and top with sparkling water. Stir well, and garnish with a mint sprig.



Enjoy!

Laurel ♥

Homemade Dark Chocolate Mint Patties

Mint patties covered in dark chocolate? Delicious and very nourishing for your body. Incomparably healthy for you! Consisting of mostly cashews and coconut, this is a treat that can only help you receive glowing skin and strong nails and many health benefits.

The York Peppermint Pattie made by Hershey Company has this list of ingredients in the pattie:
SUGAR; CORN SYRUP; SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE ( CHOCOLATE; SUGAR; COCOA; MILK FAT; COCOA BUTTER; SOY LECITHIN; PGPR, EMULSIFIER; VANILLIN, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR) ; INVERT SUGAR; EGG WHITES; OIL OF PEPPERMINT

We all know by now that processed sugar and corn syrup are extremely harmful to your health. Conventional candy always contains processed sugar or corn syrup plus unsafe additives.  Make these delicious mint patties yourself with my recipe...


Homemade Dark Chocolate Mint Patties

Ingredients:

Mint Patties Mixture
1/3 cup dried coconut chunks/shreds
1/3 cup organic cashews
1-2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
2-3 tablespoons raw honey/maple syrup/agave
1 teaspoon organic peppermint oil
Pinch of sea salt

Chocolate Covering
1 bar of Organic Equal Exchange Dark Chocolate or Green & Black's Dark Chocolate

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients for the mint pattie together until smooth. 
• Pat into flattened balls (patties) with your hands and place them in the freezer to set for around 30 minutes.
• Melt the dark chocolate bar until smooth.
• Dip each pattie in the chocolate and refrigerate to harden.

ENJOY!!

Laurel ♥