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!!!

 

 

Soap = Hope

At this past Green Festival in NYC I came across a really cool little soap company. As you probably know, I am obsessed with natural body care products and love to try out new soaps see new products that are on the market. This company, SoapBox Soaps, is a company that not only produces a great quality product, they also distribute soap to children in need. They basically adopted the Tom's Shoes One for One idea, so that for every bar of soap you purchase, SoapBox Soaps donates a bar to a child in need, as well as to local struggling families, homeless shelters, women's shelters and nursing homes. What a cool way to make our purchases - knowing that when we buy something, we are also providing for another person!

I thought this was a great idea, and even better, I didn't have to compromise my values to support this worthy cause. SoapBox Soaps contain all natural ingredients, gluten-free oatmeal, organic shea butter and sea salt. All of their soaps are cruelty-free, made in America, packaged with 100% recycled fibers and 35% post consumer waste and vegan. LOVE IT!!!

I think I bought 6 bars and am working my way through each delicious smelling flavor.

https://www.soapboxsoaps.com/

Making Healthy Food FUN for Kids (and Adults)!

If you have kids, then you probably know how challenging it can be to get them to eat healthy foods. Kids often have access to sugary sodas, candy, chips and other processed snacks during their school day. This can be a real hindrance if you are wanting your kids to grow up healthy, strong and developing good habits for when they become older.

I have been recently working with a family and their two children who are 6 and 8 years old. These kids LOVE candy. And ice cream. And sugary drinks. All they care about is treats when they get home. Getting these kids to eat a piece of fruit daily is like a miracle! Yesterday I made them their usual dinner - something frozen that you pop into the oven for a few minutes. I also made them a whole bunch of delicious raw fruit and vegetables, cut into bite sized pieces. I arranged the fruit and veggies in a fun way on a platter in the center of the table, and I let each child pick what they wanted. And you know what? They actually ate it! Seriously. I have never seen these kids eat so much healthy food at dinner.

Here are some easy tips for getting YOUR kids to eat healthier:

SHAPE
One big thing that makes healthy food more appealing is the way it is cut. If you give a kid a giant carrot out of the bag, they probably won't eat it. But if you cut up a bunch of fruits and veggies in fun shapes and bite sized pieces arranged nicely on a plate, ready and waiting for them, they are WAY more likely to eat it. Having fun with this doesn't have to be complicated. Use a small cookie cutter to make hearts, stars and other cute shapes.

You can even do a fun project with your kids to cut fruits, veggies, bread or tortillas into cool shapes with small and medium sized cookie cutters. You can make easy sandwiches with the bread and quesadillas or wraps with the tortillas. Adults will even love it. I know that when I make a fun soup with star shaped carrots or heart shaped radishes, it makes eating more enjoyable.

COLOR
When thinking in terms of color, here is an easy way to make things more exciting. Rainbows! Kids love rainbows. Rainbows make people feel happy. Try arranging your foods in rainbow order. Talk about the different colors on the plate with your kids. Talk about flavors and textures and take the time to help them experience why eating well is important. Talk about antioxidants. Kids really listen and will appreciate the time you spend with them in this way.

TASTE
Eating foods that taste good is important to kids and adults! If you try to give people things they don't like, they will just rebel. So start with the things they do like. I found out the other day that the kids I work with like oatmeal. They only like to eat it with sugar on top. So, I let them have sugar on their oatmeal because at least it is getting them to eat oatmeal! Baby steps.

TOGETHER
When your kids see you eating something healthy, they will want to copy you. When the kids I work with see me eating blueberries or salad, sometimes they will come over and ask if they can taste it. They often times like it. When you take care of your self by eating well, your kids will see it and also want to.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when preparing snacks and dinner for your kids:

• Are the vegetables or fruits cut in an interesting or artful way?
• Did you use a variety of ingredients, flavors, and colors?
• Are the colors of the dish you prepared vibrant and lively?
• Is the food arranged in a fun way on the plate?
• Are you using a colorful plate that makes eating more exciting?

Wishing you success in raising a healthy and happy family, and future generations.

A New Twist On an Old Favorite: Apple Snacks

Remember apples and peanut butter from your childhood? Well, here is a fun updated version. I was inspired to make this while I was craving sweets and thinking of the common combos, apples & peanut butter and apples & honey. Put them together, and this is what you get- a macro alternative to both! This recipe is fast, easy and delicious, and kids and adults will like it. After I made it I thought of McDonald's Apple Dippers (sliced apple with caramel dipping sauce). Trust me, this one is way more satisfying and totally healthy.

Ingredients:
1 apple
organic smooth peanut butter
organic brown rice syrup
2 drops of umeboshi vinegar
a tiny bit of water

1. Mix together 2 large Tablespoons of peanut butter with equal parts of rice syrup and the ume vinegar.
2. Add in a tiny bit of water to smooth out the consistency and keep stirring. Continue to add water and stir until you have the desired consistency.
3. Wash and cut apple into slices.
4. Serve the sauce with a spoon and spoon over apple slices. Enjoy the deliciousness. Yum.

Mopping Made Easy!

Want an easy, eco way to clean your floors quickly? Who doesn't?

Mop your floors in a few enjoyable minutes with the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop. A good friend of mine excitedly told me about this awesome mop. It is durable and lightweight and has a reusable microfiber pad that you can toss into your washing machine when it gets dirty. No more disposable pads- more over Swiffer!

It also picks up 50% more dirt and dust than regular mops. The mop has a refillable spray bottle so you can make your own all-natural cleaning solution or use plain hot water. This is especially important if you walk around your house barefoot or have small children crawling around on your floors, since using chemical cleaners can leave a residue of chemicals. I like to use a solution of hot water and white vinegar for cleaning floors, but if you want to really get it clean, you can dilute some Dr. Bronner's with water and spray away!

Check it out online:
Rubbermaid Reveal Mop

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

Tasty Tips for Choosy Kids

My first macrobiotic article has been published on the awesome resource website the Macrobiotic Guide, based in the UK! For some great tips on how to get your kids to eat healthily and enjoy it, check out the article. There are also easy and delicious free recipes with pictures.

 http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/articles/Tasty_Tips_for_Choosy_Kids.htm

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies, Naturally

Using natural cleaning supplies is better for you (and your children and pets), the environment and can save you money! Here are some easy recipes to make your own home cleaning supplies from Natural Home Magazine.

Scouring Powder: Baking soda and salt with a hot water rinse
Disinfectant: Borax or soap with hot water
Drain Cleaner: Boiling water and a rubber plunger or plumber's snake
Furniture Polish: Olive oil mixed with a little lemon juice
Floor Cleaner: Castile soap with hot water, or white vinegar with water in a spray bottle or bucket
Oven Cleaner: Be proactive and line your oven with foil. Wipe up spills after each use.
Tile and Tub Cleaner: Baking soda, with a cut of lemon for removing stains
Air Freshener: Open the windows for a really good airing to avoid the need for air fresheners. If you want a scent, use a diffuser with a candle underneath and essential oils in water on top to be burned.
Window Cleaner: White vinegar
Antibacterial/Antifungal/Antimold: Tea Tree oil with borax

Lemon Mint Window Wash
For the shiniest windows, use sheets of newspaper (black and white only) to scrub and shine them. The newspaper ink may darken your hands, but it shines the window without streaking.

Juice from two fresh lemons
4 cups water or club soda
1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
2 teaspoons corn starch

Mix all ingredients and pour into plastic spray bottle. Shake well before using.

Lavender and Tea Tree Spray Cleaner
This spray cleaner disinfects, wipes out mold and discourages its return.

1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for use and long term storage. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

All-Purpose Cleaner for Kitchens and Bathrooms
2 teaspoons borax
4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
4 cups hot water

Mix ingredients and pour into a refillable spray bottle. For stronger cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner's. If desired, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil for disinfecting strength or neroli oil for citrus' cleaning oomph.

Grapefruit Abrasive Cleaner
This cleanser is comparable to a soft scrub and can be used for tubs, sinks, tiles, and even hardworking hands stained with grease. The lingering scent is pungent and fresh!

1 cup fine-grade pumice
1/2 cup clay powder
2 tablespoons grapefruit essential oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups boiling water (enough to make a thick paste)

Mix all ingredients together and stir. Store in a labeled airtight container. To use, apply gently with a damp sponge or cloth and scrub. Use a light touch on fiberglass fixtures.

Spritz-and Spray Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The baking soda and vinegar in this formula dissolve mineral buildup, while the oils loosen grime and give a fresh, clean scent.

4 tablespoons baking soda
4 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons orange essential oil
2 teaspoons grapefruit essential oil
4 cups water

Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup or a bowl. When you mix the vinegar and baking soda, it will foam. Let this mixture stand for 10 minutes before pouring into a spray bottle.

Carnuba and Lavender Furniture Wax
This paste wax will clean, condition and polish wood surfaces while providing a protective coat of wax. Fine carnuba wax is derived from the leaves of the palm tree.

The lavender essential oil enhances cleaning power. Use a circular motion to rub it onto wooden floors and antique furniture, buff with sheep's wool and a soft cotton cloth.

1/4 cup carnuba wax
2 tablespoons beeswax
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil

Melt waxes over low heat in a small saucepan. Stir on olive oil, then lavender oil. Pour mixture into a container of tin, plastic, or glass and allow to harden.

Invisible Children

3 young guys from California bought a video camera on EBay and decided to go to Africa in search of an interesting story. What they found was much more than that.

They found thousands of children commuting to sleep in the streets so they could avoid being abducted and forced into being soldiers.

I recently saw the movie Invisible Children. It reminded me that there is so much more out there in the world than just what I see in front of me. There are things to learn, stories to be told, and people who need our help.

Check out this powerful, heart-breaking and inspiring movie. Spread the word and do something good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qds5MQCqWnk

Healthy Food for Our Children

I just signed this petition to support healthy food choices in our schools. Check it out!

http://www.foodincmovie.com/sign-the-petition.php