Naraya Cooking Health Recipe

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, softened
• 8 oz. package mushrooms, sliced
• 2 jalapenos, sliced and seeds discarded
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 8 oz. pasta of choice 
• almond parmesan, for topping

Walnut Basil Pesto

• 2 cups basil, packed
• 1/2 cup walnuts 
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon lemon
• 3 or 4 garlic cloves
• himalayan salt & pepper to taste (I used white pepper)
• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, optional*

Start with your pesto: Combine ingredients in food processor, process until blended and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Set aside.

Cook pasta according to package, drain and return to pot you cooked it in. Add a small amount of oil and toss to coat.

In saute pan heat oil over medium, saute mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes and jalapeno for 4 - 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. It should be smelling pretty delicious about now! Remove from heat.

Toss pasta with pesto. Place pasta on individual serving dishes and top with sauteed vegetables, add salt and pepper to taste. Top with almond parmesan for even more flavor. Serves 2 - 3.

Notes:

I didn't use the nutritional yeast in my recipe, it's a good healthy option for those seeking to replace the cheese flavor in other pesto recipes. Add slowly until you find the amount you like.

Use as much of the sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and jalapeno pepper as you like.

Use rice or quinoa pasta to make this gluten free.

Ingredients

• black beans, 1 lb. dried or 3 cans (15 oz.), rinsed and drained (see notes)
• 2-3 bay leafs
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 -2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 large white onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cups water or vegetable broth
• juice of one orange + remainders
• himalayan salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients

• 1 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup buckwheat groats/Kasha*
• 1/3 cup rolled oats (I use GF)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes, optional
• zest of 2 lemons, medium sized
• juice of one lemon
• 6 - 7 medjool dates, softened and pitted
• 1/4-1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes for rolling

Place cashews, buckwheat groats and/or oats in food processor and blend until a medium to fine grind (doesn't have to be perfect). The buckwheat may stay a bit chunky so if your looking for a smooth center use all oats. Add rest of ingredients and blend until combined and you have a doughy consistency. If you find your dough is a bit too dry try adding fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 tablespoon at a time. Chill dough for about 20-30 minutes. Roll into 1 inch balls then roll in coconut flakes. Makes apprx. 12 - 14. Store in air tight container in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

* If you don't have buckwheat grouts, replace with oats or nuts. I love to include buckwheat wherever I can since it is a 'superfood' and packs a lot of protein and fiber per serving, they also have a nice nutty flavor. Per 1/4 cup serving you are getting 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, more so than oats per serving, 1/2 cup yields 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

• 1 tablespoon rolled oats, soaked in 2–3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cream
• 200 grams apple (about one large, preferably a sour variety), finely grated and mixed with the above directly before serving
• optionally top with 1 tablespoon ground hazelnuts or almonds

I agreed to do a review of Rawxies raw cookies and just received four packages of these adorable little cookies with big nutritional values. I'm excited to share with you this new company that is bringing a thoughtfully designed cookie to you that is healthy and tastes great. Callie, the owner, of Rawxies is passionate about bringing healthy change to the world by informing and inspiring others with raw treats that are oh so delicious!


This is not the cookie you were brought up to eat with butters, refined sugars and so many other ingredients that in the long run are not good for you, or the animals and the planet. These are the cookies of the future that are full of wholesome ingredients! They are put together by hand with ingredients like oats, almonds, coconut palm sugar, dates, cacao, poppy seeds, coconut, vanilla and pure essential oils like lemon and spearmint...nothing in these that you cannot name...in fact you will recognize all of these ingredients. All Rawxie cookies are raw, vegan, gluten free, low sugar (thanks to the coconut palm sugar) and super cute. Each package contains a serving size of two heart shaped cookies that range in calorie count from 140 to 170 per package.

They all tasted great! I will review each one...click on the name for more details...

Lemon Poppyseed: I loved this one with it's bright lemon flavor that really came through. Surprised me that it would have such a nice lemon flavor, the lemon essential oil really adds to this cookie. I have a thing for lemons and now you know.

Cranberry Pecan: This was a more subdued flavor with mostly the pecans coming through. I didn't really taste the cranberry, it was more of a nutty taste. A nice warm flavored cookie, reminded me of autumn...ahhh, Cranberry Pecan Rawxie....take me away. :)

Banana Nut Bread: This is a nice warm flavored cookie as well with a mostly nutty flavor and subtle spices.

Mint Chocolate Chip: This really has a wonderful minty flavor along with the chocolate. Having a chocolate craving, this will surely help in a most healthful way!

Do I have a favorite after eating them all...I would have to say that it would depend on my mood. Today it was the Lemon Poppyseed.... but tomorrow it may be different.

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to do this review. I too would like to see more to this type of food in every store. In general, we have moved so far away from what real food is that it's time to get back to basics, clean and simple !

Here is a link to the Rawxies site of where to find her treats for you and your loved ones: find rawxies

Get your hands on these raw cookies and taste the rawsomeness...it's the foxy way to snack :)

Let's get our foxy rawxie on...Enjoy !

Thank you Callie for bringing such a wonderful packaged option to us all. :) ♥

i beg you, grow your own tomatoes. they're pretty easy as long as you don't over water them... and they taste HEAVENLY. really... they should be golden with holiness, not red. i've been eating them like candy. some of ours are cherry tomatoes and some are larger. either way - ridiculous.

today i made a salad with rainbow chard, oregano, basil, and tomatoes from the garden. i also added some bell pepper, dried figs, avocado, and leftover gardein. the dressing is sooo good. it has mustard, miso, walnuts, garlic and fresh basil in it. sweet basil is probably my favourite herb. i left whole leaves of oregano and basil with the rainbow chard greens too, i think it's lovely when you get a bite and suddenly it's a herb-filled explosion of flavour!


chop up the greens, tomatoes, pepper, avocado and figs. set aside. to make the dressing, blend all the ingredients together, adding as much water as needed. pour the dressing onto the greens and mix in. top it off with the remaining goodies and enjoy!