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Kids

Psst…Your Kids Are Watching

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Psst…Your Kids Are Watching

Lately, I have read comments on the web from parents / grandparents who have changed their diet in order to lose weight and/or obtain better health.

Someone recently posted a picture of their sad faced, preschool daughter holding a bag of Cheese Puffs. The mother commented that her daughter was sad because her dieting Mommy would not eat the one her daughter offered.

Some parents / grandparents are abstaining from certain foods but still have them in the home, available to the children.

Huh?

What message are we giving our young? Are we saying that we believe that Cheese Puffs and the like are alright for them to eat, but not for us?

Wouldn’t we be doing these young ones a better service if we did not make certain offending food items available in the home?

Sure, cigarette smokers don’t like when you take their cigarettes away. Many of us have never smoked or have quit, but should that be a reason to buy cigarettes and keep them in the home for our young ones?

The kids are watching and learning from what we do and what we do and don’t do for them. They look to us for guidance and feel loved when we do things for them that show we care about their welfare.

If we bring foods in the home that we are choosing not to eat, aren’t we setting them up to have the same problems with these foods that we are struggling with now? How can we teach them discretion if we don’t model this behavior?

Wouldn’t it be easier for these children in the long run if we eliminate the unhealthy foods and share the delicious alternatives we are choosing for ourselves?

Do you interact with children while navigating this lifestyle? What are your obstacles? What are your strategies?

I would love to provide you with more help. Please contact me for a coaching session:

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my Amazon Store for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, donate here. 

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I also have great recipes, tips and tricks on BeGreenWithAmyYouTube

 

Chocolate, Desserts, Hey, I Can Make That!, Snacks, Sweet Potatoe, Treats

How to Make Chocolate Pudding

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Chocolate Pudding

I had not eaten pudding since adopting this lifestyle in 2012. When Beverly, a member of my WFPB Meetup group, brought this dish to our pot luck dinner, it rocked my world! I hope it rocks your world too! Don’t let the ingredients fool you. As with many dishes in our lifestyle, healthy ingredients can put a delicious twist on a dish. 

This dish is simple to make and you can watch me demo by clicking here

Chocolate Pudding – Sugar, Oil and Salt Free!

4 Cups Mashed Sweet Potatoes

1 Cup Pitted Dates or 4 1/2 oz Date Paste

1/2 Cup Cocoa or Cacoa Powder

2/3 Cup Plant Based Milk

2 Teaspoons Vanilla Powder (optional)

In high speed blender, blend ingredients till creamy and smooth.

Refrigerate for several hours or until cool.

Enjoy!

If you would like to learn other ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my Amazon Store for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, donate here. 

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Fitness and Exercise, Health

Leg Cramps?

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Woman with calf feeling pain on white background.

After noticing the wonderful health benefits of changing the way we eat, we sometimes can look at some of our health issues and wonder if there is a magical food to add or remove which will help heal us.

I learned this tip about leg cramps from Dr. Michael Klaper. If you are suffering from leg cramps, you may find this helpful. 

If legs cramp while in bed, be sure that your covers are not tucked in as it can hold your foot in prone position creating a cramp. Yup, that’s it! It has helped many of my clients and I hope that you will find it helpful too.

Dr. Klaper has so much helpful information! Check out one of Dr. Klaper’s videos!

If you would like to learn other ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my AmazonStore for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, recipe development, social media publicity and more, please donate here. 

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

Hey, I Can Make That!, Vegan Twists on Old Favorites, Wraps

Easy to Make Tortilla Wraps Whole FoodPlant Bases No Sugar, Salt or Oil!

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Tortilla JoAnn
Our Green Star Member JoAnn is a great Plant Based cook and demonstrated this recipe COMING SOON here on our BeGreenWithAmy YouTube Channel.
Servings: 8 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 5 Minutes
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups organic Masa Harina Flour
1/4 arrow root powder or organic flour or gluten-free flour mix
juice of half a lime (optional)
1 1/2 – 2 cups hot water
Procedure:
Combine the Masa Harina & the arrow root flour in a mixing bowl
Add a little water and stir with a fork until it forms little crumbles
Add a little water and stir with a fork until it forms little crumbles
Add a little water at a time until mixture forms a ball
Knead for a couple minutes
Press into a ball with a flat top onto the cutting board
Cut into 8 pie shaped sections
Roll into balls

Press each ball flat in a tortilla press lined with a cut opened (sides, not bottom)  ZipLoc bag

Fry on a griddle for about 1 minute on one side
Flip and fry other side
Keep warm in Tortilla Warmer
JoAnn found this recipe on The Plant Based Cooking Show.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my AmazonStore for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, recipe development, social media publicity and more, please donate here. 

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Desserts, Hey, I Can Make That!, Snacks, Sweet, Treats

Nice Cream

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Freeze 5 very ripe bananas (without skin, cut into quarters).

In high speed blender:

5 Frozen bananas

2 Tablespoons cocoa or cacao powder

1 Teaspoon almond butter (just blended almonds, no salt or other chemicals)

2 cups water

Blend for about 30 – 60 seconds.

Serve immediately as soft serve or place in pop molds overnight.

Check out the YouTube Recipe Demo Video Here.

Naked Pumpkin Ice Cream

Conquer Cravings – Ice Cream

If you would like to learn other ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my AmazonStore for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, recipe development, social media publicity and more, please donate here. 

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

 

 

Dips and Hummus

Rick’s Hummus

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10 oz Unsalted Chickpeas (cooked)
10 oz Unsalted Black beans (cooked)
2 tablespoons Bensons Table Tasty
1/4 cup Rick’s Balsamic Vinaigrette
5 cloves garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup water (more or less as needed to blend into a creamy hummus)

Blend in High Powered Blender

Check out my BeGreenWithAmy YouTube Channel for lots of whole food, plant based hacks, recipes and more.

If you would like help to learn ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

 

Chocolate, Desserts, Treats

(Is that really a) Black Bean Brownie?

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Chocolate Cupcake

4 cups cooked or canned no-salt-added or low-sodium black beans, drained & mashed
1/2 cup hemp seeds
4 oz walnuts
1/2 cup natural, non-alkalized cocoa powder
17 or 1 1/2 cups or 12 oz pitted medjool dates soaked (keep water)
2 TBS date water
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup ground oats
1 tablespoon ground chia seed

Optional Topping:

1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons natural, non-alkalized unsweetened cocoa powder
5 medjool dates

Non-Bake Method:

Roll into 1″ balls and serve. 

Optional coating: crushed almonds, unsweetened coconut flakes, unsweetened cocoa powder or dip into Chocolate Sauce

Or Bake in Oven:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the black beans, dates & almond butter in a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again. Spread into a parchment paper lined baking pan.

Bake for 45 minutes. Cool completely and apply topping if desired. Cut into small squares.

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator up to one week.

Blend topping ingredients in a high powered blender.

Check out my BeGreenWithAmy YouTube Channel for lots of whole food, plant based hacks, recipes and more.

If you would like help to learn ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Hey, I Can Make That!, Salads and Sides, Snacks, Wraps

Spring Rolls

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Vietnamese Spring Roll
Our green star member Joann showed us how to easily make Spring Rolls! 
You will need:
vegetables 
rice paper 
lukewarm water 
shallow plate 
spray bottle with water 
a smooth surface 
sauces for dipping
knife
cutting board
Directions:
Choose and prepare your favorite fixings like:   Spiralized cucumbers, Vermiceli rice noodles, butter lettuce, matchstick cut carrots, firm tofu sticks, mint leaves, micro greens, freshly squeezed lime juice, finely sliced onions, green spring onions, red, yellow and green peppers, chili pepper, shredded cabbage, snow peas, kimchi, etc. 
1. Fill bottom of a shallow plate with lukewarm water.
2. Select a piece of rice paper and note which side is rough or smooth. 
3.  Dip both sides of 1 rice paper in the water. 
4. Spray a smooth surface with some water.
5. Place rough side of rice paper up on a smooth surface. 
6. Put your favorite fixings on top of rice paper on bottom 1/2 of rice paper .
7. Be sure to leave 1″ on bottom bare so you can use it to seal roll.
8. Pull bottom of rice paper up towards middle.
9. Fold sides in towards center.
10. Roll up spring roll and enjoy!

Vermicelli Rice Noodles

*Some sauces may be high in sodium:

If you would like help to learn other ways to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my AmazonStore for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, recipe development, social media publicity and more, please donate here. 

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Garden, Need to know

Growing Your Own Microgreens

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microgreens

Learn how to grow your own microgreens to get even more nutrients!

We recently had a microgreens demonstration at our potluck dinner.

Microgreens are tasty in soups, stews, as a pretty garnish and in salads.

Best of all, microgreens are nutrient dense!

For example, red cabbage microgreens have 69X more Vitamin K  and 6X Vitamin C than the mature plant!

Check out the YouTube Video here.

Our Green Star Members Laura and Tom gave these suggestions:

Ten Steps for Growing Microgreens

  1. Find a clean, food grade shallow container with drainage (poke or drill holes if needed). You probably already have something that will work.

 

  1. Select seeds. Legumes (peas, beans) and large seeds with hard shells like sunflower seeds germinate better if you soak them in a lingerie bag up to 8 hours ahead of time.

           

  1. Fill your container with organic potting soil up to your 2nd knuckle; level the soil surface then dampen the soil until it feels like a damp sponge when you touch it.

 

  1. Cover the surface of the soil with seeds and press them into the soil with your hand. With a spray bottle, spray the seeds with water.

 

  1. Sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the seeds and lightly spray again with water. Note: when using tiny seeds skip this step.

 

  1. Place a light cover over the container and set it in a dark area. For large type seeds that you have soaked, place a little extra weight on the cover; a piece of silverware will do. This will produce stronger more hearty stems.

 

  1. Check the container daily for moisture. If the soil feels moist to the touch, don’t add water. If the soil feels dry, spray with water.

 

  1. As the microgreens grow they will push up on the lid. The “seed leaves” will be poking out. The day after the seed leaves appear, remove the cover and place the container in a sunny location on or near a window sill. If your container is outside, avoid prolonged direct afternoon sun if you live in a warmer climate like Florida and watch out for the Cuban Tree Frogs!

Continue to check every day for moisture.

Note: I have had good success with not much indoor light. If your plants look yellowish green, they need more sun. Yellowish green plants will turn green with just a few hours of sunlight. You can almost watch it happen…so cool. You can also use an indoor grow light.

  1. Harvest with kitchen scissors by cutting near the soil when the first “true leaves” appear. They don’t have to even be fully formed like you saw on the YouTube demo. You may want to rinse the microgreens in a salad spinner.

The microgreens can be growing one minute and on your plate the next; no nutrients lost!

  1. If you have grown pea or bean microgreens you can re-use the soil one time without worry. Then recycle the soil in a compost pile or around outdoor plantings. Clean your container well with soap and water and you are ready to start again! When one tray matures it is time to start another for a steady supply.

          Please leave a comment and tell me about what seeds you are trying next!

Please follow me so I know you would like me to share more helpful hints.

Check out my BeGreenWithAmy YouTube Channel for lots of whole food, plant based hacks, recipes and more.

If you would like to help support my blog, consider shopping on my Amazon Store for Whole Food, Plant Based kitchen gadgets, books, food, home delivered food and more!

If you would like to donate to help me with the costs of maintaining this website, donate here. 

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell

 

 

 

Christmas, Holiday, Soups, Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

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Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Watch this recipe demo I attended at a Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 and ¾ cup roasted and mashed pumpkin* or 1 can (15 oz.) pure, unsweetened pumpkin
or 1 and ¾ cup roasted and mashed butternut squash
• 4 cups (1 quart) unsalted vegetable broth or water
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (or 2 if you want to break a sweat; for timid palates omit the chipotle pepper and add 2 tsp mild chili powder)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ¼ cup raw, unsalted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
• cilantro for garnish (optional)

*For fresh roasted pumpkin, cut a sugar pumpkin in half. Scoop out the seeds and strings and place the halves face down on a silpat baking sheet or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F until soft, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool and then scoop out the flesh. Freeze any remainder for other recipes. Butternut squash can also be used in this recipe as an alternate to pumpkin. Simply follow the same roasting technique.

Technique:
In a dry skillet, toast the pepitas over medium heat. Stir the seeds frequently to evenly toast and prevent scorching. Set aside.

Water sauté the onions and sauté until lightly golden. Add the garlic and sauté an additional minute. Transfer the mixture to a high speed blender.

Add the pumpkin, 2 cups of  broth, the chipotle pepper and the cumin and coriander; process until completely smooth. Transfer to a large cooking pot and add the remaining stock/broth. Bring to simmer, partially cover and cook for 30 minutes. Ladle into individual bowls and garnish with the toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and optional cilantro.

Garnish with chopped kale, microgreens, sesame seeds, etc. Add your favorite bean(s).

I have helped many people to navigate this lifestyle, please contact me for a coaching session. I have learned many strategies, tips and hacks while coaching people since 2012. I would love to help you be successful as well.

Please click follow so I know you would like me to share more helpful hints.

Check out my BeGreenWithAmy YouTube Channel for lots of whole food, plant based hacks, recipes and more.

Be Strong, Be Well and Be Green!

Amy holds a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and eCornell