Happy Chanukah! Healthy Treats

Happy Chanukah Friends!

This year, I have created some fun and easy recipes to help kids and adults celebrate the festival of lights. Of course, the traditional latkes and sufganiot are delicious, but this year, let's make our menus a bit more exciting!

I am doing a very special hands-on kids cooking class at a Chanukah party this year and am excited to be making some new things. Check out the recipes below.

 

I am making:

- Grilled Homemade Nutella and Banana Dreidel Sandwiches

- Mini Star of David Fruit Skewers with Vanilla Cashew Cream

 

Grilled Homemade Nutella and Banana Dreidel Sandwiches

I adapted this delicious recipe from the blog: http://thedaintypig.com/blog/2014/1/31/macrotreat-fridays-macro-ish-nutella
 

Homemade Nutella

• 1 3/4 cups whole hazelnuts
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 - 4 pinches of  sea salt
• 2 Tbsp sunflower or safflower oil of choice
• 5 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup almond milk

1. Set the oven to 400F.
2. Place hazelnuts on a parchment lined cookie sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Shake the pan after about 4 minutes or so, to rotate them. Once roasted, remove the pan from the oven. Let the hazelnuts cool for about 5 minutes.
3. Place the hazelnuts inside a kitchen towel, making a pouch, and then rub the hazelnuts inside the towel to take off the skins.
4. Place the nuts into a food processor or high-speed blender. Add the oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend slowly, starting on a low setting then moving higher.
5. Add cocoa powder and salt. Blend again for a few minutes.
6. Add the almond milk slowly, staring with 1/3 cup. Blend. Add more if you desire.

Sandwiches

• 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 4 pieces of whole wheat bread
• 2 Tbsps sunflower oil
• 3 inch dreidel cookie cutter

1. Cut dreidel shapes out of the bread. If you are careful, you can probably get 2 dreidels per piece of bread.
2. Spread each dreidel bread with Nutella.
3. Place banana slices on top of Nutella on one piece of dreidel bread. Then top with other piece of dreidel bread with the Nutella side down - on top of the bananas.
4. Heat sunflower oil is a skillet on medium heat and place dreidel sandwiches into the pan. lightly press sandwiches down and flip once they are golden brown and a bit crispy - just like a grilled cheese sandwich. Serve hot.

 

Mini Star of David Fruit Skewers with Vanilla Cashew Cream

Cashew Cream

• 1 cup raw cashews, rinsed and then soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt

1. Discard soaking water from cashews and place cashews in a high speed blender or food processor. Add enough water to almost cover the cashews. Blend until creamy.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until full incorporated and creamy. Spoon into a serving bowl.

Fruit Skewers

• fresh fruit (such as apples, pears, grapes, berries)
• 1/2 lemon
• 6 inch wooden skewers
• mini Star of David cookie cutter

1. Wash and cut fruit into bite sized pieces and use mini Star of David cookie cutter to cut shapes into apples and pears. Squeeze the juice from 1/2 a lemon onto apples and pears so it does not brown.
2. Skewer fruit onto wooden skewers and place onto a serving platter. Serve with cashew cream.

 

Here are a couple of other great ideas to make this Chanukah delicious! I hope you enjoy!!!

 

 

Heaven and Earth Meet at Ahwatukee Farmers' Market

If you love healthy and delicious food and you live in the Phoenix area then you are in for a treat! An incredibly talented and creative chef has recently opened up shop with an array of absolutely delicious and nutritious sushi, side dishes, desserts and beverages at the Ahwatukee Farmers' Market every Sunday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Chef Seiko Yamanobe of Heaven and Earth House of Macrobiotics prepares natural, local and in-season fare to feast your eyes and your mouth on.

Here is a "taste" of their ever changing menu... YUM!!


Miso Soup & Market Vegetable Soup
made from scratch daily

Small Plates and Deli Items
Edamame Hummus, Macro Green Goddess Dip, Cashew Miso Spread, Kale & Quinoa Salad, Steamed Vegetable Plate, Italian Miso Salad, more.

Maki
unique macro in nori rolls
Heaven & Earth Roll, Not California Roll, Tokyo Tempeh Roll, TBLT Roll, Cabo Cabo Special, Shojin Tempura Roll, Kyoto Kinpira Roll, and more.

NuMacro
modern twist on classics
Earth, Wind + Fire Spring Roll, Veggie Heaven (all vegetable) Roll, and more.

Drinks
quintessential Macro basics & more
Twig tea, Roasted Barley tea, blended Apple tea, Green tea, Home-made Fresh Ginger Ale, Amazake Shake, Ume Sho Bancha, and more.

Macro Treats
sugar, dairy, egg free, gentle gems
Yin & Yang Sesame Crunch, Kanten Jelly, Brownies, PB & J Cookies, Almond Biscotti, Blueberry & Raspberry Muffins, Carrot Cake, and more.

Five Elements Energy Bars
formulated for each season, sugar, dairy, egg free
Tree Energy (AAA) Bar, Fire Energy Bar, Earth Energy Bar, Metal Energy Bar, Water Energy Bar

See their carefully selected menu of the day.  (Always in harmony with the season, balanced whole foods, inspired by nature.)

Check out the amazingness every Sunday at 4700 E. Warner Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85044.

For more information, to see the menu or to pre-order, check their website:
http://houseofmacro.com/

Like them on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heaven-Earth-House-of-Macrobiotics/340114606022234

Conscious Collection From H & M

I just HAVE to write about H & M's new Conscious Collection, I am so excited! Eco-fashion going mainstream and being easily accessible by so many people, while also being affordable is so beyond awesome. Not only are the designs for this collection super cute, they are white, which make them perfect for the new Spring and Summertime weather. This collection uses recycled fabrics, organic cotton, and tencel. Tencel is a natural and renewable resource.

Here is a cute perfect-for-spring top I got:

Many of their pieces from this collections are very versatile. You can layer tops like this one with other more relaxed slouchy pieces for a comfortable chic look, or pair it with a more structured cardigan or jacket and statement jewelry for a more polished-put-together look.

H & M has put together a whole website all about their Conscious Collection, which includes information about corporate responsibility, a 2009 Sustainability Report, and information about them using greener goods. I love it.

You can check it out here:
http://www.hmconsciouscollection.com/welcome/

You can read more about H & M and shop there from their website:
H & M's Conscious Collection

Cool Off with Fruit & Veggie Smoothies

Looking for a fun, healthy and vegan way  to cool off in this new warm weather? Well, now you can enjoy getting your 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day because Jamba Juice has Fruit & Veggie Smoothies!

These smooth and delicious beverages are sure to cool you off and keep you feeling great because you are getting 3 full servings of fruits and veggies in each smoothie. My favorite is Berry UpBEET. All that is in this smoothie is vegetable juices, fruit and ice.

Check their website for a location near you!

http://www.jambajuice.com/products/fruitveggie

Toms Shoe Trend is Sweeping the Nation

The Toms shoe craze is sweeping the nation! I know this because they have made their way to mainstream Arizona. I can go out to any regular shopping establishment and find them on the feet of all kinds of people, but mostly on teens and 20-somethings that like fashion, comfort and doing global good. They are even selling these at my local natural food store! I like where this is going...

Toms shoes are known for their "One for One" mission. Buy a pair of shoes and Toms will give a pair to a child in need. They are all about the greater good, what an awesome concept, right?

These shoes come in many different colors and styles, such as flats, boots and wedges. They also have a vegan line. You can easily wear these with a cute skirt, jeans or to a fancy occasion- because they also have a glitter collection.

Check it out:

TOMS website

61st Pacific Macrobiotic Conference in AZ. March 17-20, 2011

Check out this exciting upcoming event:

61st Pacific Macrobiotic Conference in Gilbert, Arizona. March 17-20, 2011
A chance for fellow macros to come together for an inspiring and relaxing weekend, make new friends and share meals. We will discuss subjects, personal concerns, and topical issues from a macrobiotic perspective and keep up with what's happening in macrobiotics around the world. 

For more info or to register, email Kaare Bursell at ithanga@hotmail.com

Heal Faster and Feel Great with Healing Sessions

We all know sleeping enough, eating well and exercise are the basics for being healthy, but sometimes we also need complimentary wellness treatments to help us function at our best and stimulate deeper healing. Some people consider bodywork or massage to be a special "treat" once in a while, but when you really experience the benefits of regular bodywork, you can see how it can play a key role in your overall well-being.

After being out of the country for an extended amount of time, I realize I had forgotten about the importance of getting regular healing treatments. In previous years I had the pleasure of working at a natural health facility where people practiced shiatsu massage and craniosacral therapy, so I often had regular treatments. I experienced what life was like when my body was really healthy - it was blissful! Since I have been back, I received a free Reiki healing session from a friend, and realized what I had been missing for so long! Getting this treatment was a reminder to myself that regular bodywork and energy healing sessions are important to me and my well-being.

Bodywork and other types of healing treatments can help your body heal faster, release tension, help you deal with stress, help your organs function better and help you resist disease.

Some types of treatments I like are:

• Shiatsu Massage
• Reiki Energy Healing
• Acupuncture (my favorite!)
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Deep Tissue Massage

On another note, often times these kinds of treatments can be very expensive. Even so, you don't have to sacrifice these services! Get creative and find ways to make it happen.

Some ways to get affordable treatments are:

1. Ask friends and family members in your area if they know anyone good, then ask the practitioner for a package deal at a reduced rate.
2. Meet people through your local natural food store - often times stores have health events and bulletin boards with posting of healers. Find out if healers need someone to practice on and get a free massage or reiki.
3. Find people through local Meetup groups. You can find people with similar interests who regularly get together and talk about health, give classes or practice healing on each other. If there isn't a group in your area, then start your own.
4. Trade with a healer or practitioner. See what you can offer for a treatment. Maybe you are a great cook, awesome dog walker, or excellent personal shopper.
5. Find a local massage or acupuncture school and get treatments at reduced rates. I have done this in the past and have been very happy with the results, and my wallet's been happy too. Here is a place I have gone to in Arizona: PIHMA Clinic Website

Fresh Food at Fresh Mint

I met up with a couple of friends a few weeks ago as I was leaving Arizona, for dinner and some nice conversation. They recommended Fresh Mint, a vegetarian Hawaiian/Asian-influenced restaurant in Scottsdale. This restaurant had lots of interesting and flavorful dishes full of fresh, brightly colored vegetables and fake meat/soy protien. Each dish we ordered was exciting and delicious, how fun!

 

 

The first thing we shared was spring rolls (pictured above). Next we had a vegetable, tofu and noodle stir fry, a tofu curry and a soy chicken dish. We tried 2 desserts- pudding and banana spring rolls. Everything was delicious! the great thing about this restaurant was the vegetarian menu and the abundance of fresh vegetables. Make note: if you are eating simply and want to avoid sugar and spices I would avoid the sauces that come on most dishes and of course, avoid dessert.

 

Fresh Mint

13802 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

(480) 443-2556

True Food Kitchen

Dr. Andrew Weil's Food Pyramid

True Food Kitchen is a lively restaurant located in Phoenix, Arizona and is jointly created by Fox Restaurant Concepts and Dr. Andrew Weil. They offer a variety of healthy vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options and they are also flexible with substituting ingredients for people with other food sensitivities. They offer organic, local and seasonal produce and wild and hormone-free animal foods.

Much of their menu items have meat, dairy or spices and I have been eating mostly vegan lately, so I got creative. I prefer simple and lightly seasoned dishes, so I ordered my own version of the Teriyaki Brown Rice Bowl: Brown rice, tofu and vegetables with fresh avocado slices on top and no Teriyaki sauce. Their prices are a bit on the higher side, so this outing might be a once in a while splurge.

Check them out:
True Food Kitchen

Healthy Eats at Pita Jungle

Looking for a healthy and veg friendly restaurant in Arizona? Well, look no further, because Pita Jungle is all over this state! With 12 locations in Arizona, they make healthy eating convenient, fun and affordable.

I went with my family to grab a bite to eat and ordered the falafel and a large hummus plate to share. Of course, nothing compares to living in Israel and getting the real deal from the where it all originated, but the food was quite good and my family enjoyed the food and ambiance.

One of my favorite things about this restaurant is the Happy Hour and Reverse Happy Hour during the weekdays. Everything on their special menus during these times is REALLY affordable, as in $2 - $3 per plate. I can fill up and schmooze with friends and only spend $6!

Pita Jungle Website

New Tokyo Food Market for Japanese Foods

If you are looking for some great Japanese foods for making sushi, udon noodles and seaweed salads AND you live in Arizona, then look no further. New Tokyo Food Market is a cute little Japanese food store with a nice variety of traditional Japanese foods, as well as non food items like beautiful Japanese dishes, kitchen supplies, magazines and even Japanese movies to rent. They also have a very friendly staff to answer questions you might have about a product or preparing Japanese foods. I have been shopping at this store since I was a kid and love going in to see the new products they have.

 

Some things I buy from New Tokyo are:

* organic frozen natto
* organic tofu
* organic udon noodles
* Non-GMO miso
* good quality teas
* dried donko shiitake mushrooms
* good quality seaweeds like wakame, hijiki and kombu
* fresh Japanese vegetables like burdock root and lotus root
* specialty items for making traditional Japanese foods

New Tokyo Food Market
3435 W Northern Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85051
#602-841-0255

Call for store hours.

Get Healthy in Arizona

Want to feel better and look great naturally?
Well, now you can with private cooking services that are easy and affordable!

Private Cooking Instruction
Enjoy learning how to make delicious, healing meals in the comfort of your own home. Choose to learn about food energetics, healing specific ailments, menu planning and shopping for excellent quality foods.

Private Cooking Services
Relax while someone else does the cooking! Have a healthy and delicious meal prepared in your home.


Ellie Kumayama has 9 years of cooking experience and is a graduate of the Kushi Institute Macrobiotic Leadership Program. She was also Director of the Kushi Institute Summer Conference for 2 years and has studied with some of the leading natural foods cooking instructors in the world.

For more information and to negotiate prices email
Ekumayama@yahoo.com

Green Drinks for Social Networking

Wanna meet interesting people who are passionate about eco-ness, find a green job, or tell people about your green business? If so, then check out Green Drinks! Green Drinks is a fun way to network and connect with others who work or would like to work in environmentally respectful jobs. See their websites to get more info, attend an event, or set up a Green Drinks in your area.

http://www.greendrinks.org/
http://greendrinks.ning.com/