The Simple Vegan

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2012-02-14T06:49:00.001-05:00

Energy Booster

2012-02-12T16:17:00.001-05:00

Spotting something red can boost your energy. It can actually make your muscles move faster and work harder, giving you a burst of energy when you most need it.
Keep a single red rose in your sight to pep up your day.

Keeping lips moist

2012-02-12T15:47:00.001-05:00

Before applying lip balm, moisten lips with cool water, then apply lip balm to seal in the moisture. This makes the top layer of your skin more permeable to lock in hydration.

Fat Flush Soup

2012-02-09T22:50:00.001-05:00

According to research, if you eat soup 20 minutes before you eat lunch, you'll consume less calories during lunch.
I found this soup recipe called " fat flush soup" out of a natural health magazine. Though it's original recipe calls for meat, I've altered this dish to make it vegan friendly.
Ingredients;
2 tbs olive oil
1onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1bell pepper, seeded and chopped
8 oz mushrooms, chopped
1 14oz can of crushed tomatoes
132oz bottle of vegetable juice
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1 14oz can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 tbs ground cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro and parsley, chopped
In saucepan saute onions, mushrooms and pepper in olive oil, until soft, about 5 minutes.
Stir in remaining ingredients, except cilantro and parsley.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in fresh herbs.
Cover and simmer 10 minutes longer and serve.
This soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Tangerines

2012-02-09T13:29:00.001-05:00

Tangeretin, one of the tangerine's many flavonoids, may help protect against heart disease, parkinson's disease and cancer. There are other diverse antioxidants in this fruit that makes them a powerhouse for fighting chronic disease.

Roasted brussel sprouts with ginger

2012-02-07T20:29:00.001-05:00

Ingredients;
12 large brussel sprouts, halved
1tbs minced ginger
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1tsp basil
3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 435.
Place brussel sprouts on baking sheet and mix with the rest of the ingredients. Roast for 30 minutes or until tender.
Stir occasionally.

Love your heart

2012-02-04T18:59:00.001-05:00

For a diet that's heart healthy think fresh and think natural and unprocessed.
More heart healthy foods;
Blueberries
Spinage
Garlic
Brown rice
Tomatoes
Grape juice
Tea
Soy milk
Oranges
Cranberries
Cantalopes
papayas
Asparagus
Acorn squash
Carrots
Tofu

2012-02-03T13:07:00.001-05:00

"Anything the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

2012-02-01T20:19:00.001-05:00

He ends the night and heralds the day
He wakes us up for work and play
He stirs the seed deep in the earth
And sends it sprouting up through Her girth
He rules the months, our season's, and days
And with his fire, He lights our way
He brings us joy and warms our hearts
He promises a brand new start
He doles out doses of vitamin D
To increase our calcium absorbency
He brings us air and stirs the tides And all the while, through the sky He rides
Without a cross word or a single objection
Do you know who he is? Have you made the connection? He is none other than the glorious Sun
Who only finds rest when our day is done
Dorothy Morrison

Get back to nature

2012-01-30T17:11:00.001-05:00

Nature is a great confidence-booster. Try and spend at least 15 minutes a day outdoors, your whole mind and body will react positively.

Non dairy milk options

2012-01-30T12:43:00.001-05:00

There are many choices of milk in the grocery store these days instead of just whole and skim milk.
Here are a few non dairy milk options.
Soy milk; 4 grams of fat
100 calories, 6 grams of sugar, 6 grams of protein.
Almond milk; 60 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 7 grams of sugar and 1gram of protein.
Rice milk; 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 11 grams of sugar and 1gram of protein.
Hazelnut milk; 110 calories, 3.5 grams fat, 14 grams sugar and 2 grams protein.

Vanilla Extract

2012-01-29T10:20:00.001-05:00

Applied topically, vanilla extract provides much needed antioxidants and B-complex vitamins (good for your metabolism and nervous system), fights cancer and is an antidepressant.
Vanilla Ginger Milk Bath;
2 tsp Vanilla
3 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp honey
1/2 cup dry milk
Add the vanilla, ginger and cinnamon to the honey and blend.
Pour the mixture along with dry milk into warm running bath water.

From the 2012 winter issue of spa magazine.

2012-01-27T19:35:00.001-05:00

Eating raw veggies can actually help you beat a family history of heart disease.

6 Heart Healthy Foods

2012-01-27T19:14:00.001-05:00

Certain foods can dramatically reduce your risk of heart desease.
Oatmeal decreases bad cholesterol.
Nuts boost good for you mono and polyunsaturated fats.
Extra virgin olive oil's monounsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Berries lower inflamation and have many other cardiovascular perks.
People who ate beans and lentils at least 4 times a week, had a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease than people who ate them less than once a week.

Broccoli, Pesto Pasta

2012-01-23T20:11:00.001-05:00

Ingredients;
One bunch of fresh broccoli, washed and chopped
1box of whole grain pasta of your choice
3 or 4 tbsp pesto, either store bought or homemade
1can of kidney beans
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1tbs or more of fresh lemon juice
Place washed and chopped broccoli in a steamer and steam until tender.
Cook pasta as stated on package.
Once pasta is finished, strain out water and return to pan. Add 1 can of rinsed and drained beans, steamed broccoli, pesto and sea salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat until heated. Add lemon juice and serve.

Brown rice and red beans with cilantro

2012-01-22T17:45:00.001-05:00

Ingredients ;
1cup of brown rice, prepared as written on the package
Olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1large green pepper, chopped
1cup of sliced baby bella mushrooms
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1cup of red beans
Fresh squeezed juice of 1 lime
Sea salt eand black pepper to taste

Prepare brown rice as it states on package.
Meanwhile place enough olive oil in large sauce pan to saute vegetables. Heat oil, then add mushrooms, onions, and peppers to pan. Saute until tender. Add salt pepper, cilantro and spices to vegetables and saute 5 minutes longer. Add. Rice red beans and lime juice to pan. Stir well, heat thoroughly then serve.

Broccoli

2012-01-22T12:56:00.001-05:00

Researchers recommend eating your broccoli with mustard, horseraddish, or wasabi because, pairing broccoli with spicy food that contains a spacific enzyme enhances each foods cancer fighting power. Other "broccoli boosters" include radishes, cabbage, arugula,
Watercress and brussels sprouts.

Wish I was in the caribbean right now!

2012-01-20T17:13:00.001-05:00

The weather has been bone chilling here this past week!
A trip to the caribbean sounds wonderful right now!

2012-01-17T18:59:00.001-05:00

Being kind and caring to another person does not mean we will always receive the same in return. Instead the other person may respond back by being cold and uncaring, perhaps without realizing it.

Healthy Grilling

2012-01-15T17:43:00.001-05:00

There's a variety of tasty vegan options to make on the grill. Skipping the meat will not only be healthy for your insides, it will also keep your waistline in check.
Here's some great vegan grilling ideas.
Marinated mushroom caps:
Place 3 or 4 mushroom caps in a dish and marinade in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, oregano, parsley, and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to grill. When finished, make a sandwich using whole wheat bread.
Veggie tofu kabobs:
Chop 2 summer squash, 2 green peppers, 1 cup of grape tomatoes, 1tub of cubed tofu, and a medium eggplant, chopped.
Place veggies in a large bowl. Marinade in olive oil, lemon juice, dill and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
Refrigerate until ready to put on skewers and grill.
Once kabobs are done you can mix with brown rice.

Strawberries

2012-01-10T16:35:00.001-05:00

Strawberries activate the body's antioxidant defense system and may slow the formation of stomach ulcers.

Pomegranates

2012-01-07T19:11:00.001-05:00

Pomegranates are celebrated in art, literature, mythology and religious texts.
They're delicious in salads and they look very pretty used as a garnish.

Black bean and orange salsa with brown rice

2012-01-04T21:20:00.002-05:00

1cup of uncooked brown rice ( cook according to the directions on the package.
1 navel orange
1can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 seeded and finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1orange pepper, chopped and seeded
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1tbs fresh lime juice
1tsp olive oil
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1ripe avocado, chopped
Grate 1tsp of zest from orange and set aside. Peel and section orange, holding it over a medium bowl to reserve juice. Chop sections and place them, with all juice collected, into bowl. Add beans, orange pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, and scallions.
Whisk together lime juice and oil in a small bowl. Mix into salsa. Season with salt and pepper.
Mix orange zest. Let salsa stand for 30 minutes or more.
Once rice is done toss with bean salsa and chopped avocado and serve.

Gingered Carrot Soup

2012-01-04T21:19:00.001-05:00

2 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 celary stalks, diced
2 lb baby carrots
1c orange juice
2 tbsp fresh minced ginger
1 to 2 tbsp. garam masala
1/2 tap grated fresh nutmeg
1 32 oz container of vegetable broth
1 1/2 c plain rice milk
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in large soup pot. Add onions and celery and saute over medium heat until golden.
Add carrots, juice, spices and broth. Bring to a gentle boil and then cover for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Transfer soup to a blender in batches and puree until smooth. Return to pot. Place on low heat and stir in enough rice milk to give soup a medium - thick consistency.
Season with salt and pepper. Let soup stand an hour or two before serving and reheat as needed.

2011-12-21T11:18:00.001-05:00

Wishing everyone a great holiday! Be back after the new year.

Cloves

2011-12-06T07:15:00.001-05:00

Cloves have one of the highest antioxidant rankings of any spice.
Use it in: Winter fruit salads, mulled wine or cider and spicy curries.

Holiday decorating with nature

2011-12-04T17:56:00.001-05:00

Instead of decorating your home with pricey disposable decor, gather some pinecones, evergreen boughs, and stones to add a natural holiday touch. Add citrus for a fragrant holiday display. Some pomagranate and lime in a clear bowl would make a pretty centerpiece.
Decorating with nature this season will not only save you money, you'll also benefit from spending time outside.

Choosing Fruit In The Winter

2011-11-25T19:36:00.001-05:00

Satisfy your fruit cravings now even though it's winter. Many people say not to buy produce out of season. You can still enjoy fruit, It's just a matter of knowing which version is the healthiest and tastiest at this time of year.
In the winter, frozen or dried may be a better choice over fresh. Here's a guide to making the best picks now.
Blueberries: Buy them frozen.
Frozen blueberries are the petite wild version. They have been found to contain more antioxidents than the cultivated type.

Apples: Buy them fresh.
Apples are a top notch source of quercetin, an antioxidant known to slash the risk of cancer.

Peaches: Buy them frozen.
Frozen peaches are harvested at peak ripeness and quickly flash-frozen to lock in vitamins, antiixidants, and flavor.

Strawberries: buy them fresh.
Fresh or frozen strawberries are a leading source of vitamin C.

Cherries: buy them dried.
Dried cherries are high in beta-cerotine, which is a building block for vitamin A.
Be sure to pick dried cherries that are not sweetened with sugar.

Information taken from the December 2011 issue of "Health" magazine.

2011-11-24T07:58:00.001-05:00

Benifits of a drink a day

2011-11-23T11:06:00.001-05:00

Raise your glass to long-lasting good health: Women who are moderate drinkers(one to two alcoholic drinks a day) at midlife are more likely than nondrinkers to reach age 70 without having any
major chronic disease(including cancer, diabetes and heart disease) or major cognitive or physical impairment, according to a new Harvard study. What's more, the more often you drink, the better. Those who had one or two drinks 5 to seven days a week were much more likely to stay well into their golden years than those who drank only once or twice a week. Now there's a prescription we'll gladly stick to!
Article taken from the December 2011 issue of "Health" magazine.

Protein Packed Kale and Pasta

2011-11-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:
1bunch of kale, rinsed and chopped.
1cup of peas
1 cup of white beans
Olive oil
1clove of garlic, chopped
The juice of 1 lemon
Whole grain shell pasta
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Cut seems off kale and boil until tender. Meanwhile, saute peas in olive oil for about 8 minutes. Add 1cup of white bean and garlic. Saute for another minute over medium heat.
Cook pasta as stated on the package.
Once finished strain pasta.
Strain cooked kale and mix both pasta and kale in bean mixture.
Season with salt and pepper and stir in the juice of one lemon.

2011-11-15T08:51:00.001-05:00

We should always appreciate what we have and be thankful for those in our lives who truly care about us.

A treat for nature

2011-11-02T15:11:00.001-04:00

Instead of tossing out your jack-o-lanterns, make a tasty treat for the animals instead.
Cut a circle where the face is on the pumpkin and place birdseed on the bottom. Set outside on the grass for animals to eat.

2011-10-30T11:11:00.001-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN.

2011-10-28T14:39:00.001-04:00

It's best not to feel bad over the lose of something that was never ours to begin with.

2011-10-26T15:49:00.001-04:00

"Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare,
and look forward to the time when we can pick the fruit."
By Anton Chekhov

2011-10-22T18:30:00.001-04:00

"Prey to the Moon when she is round. Luck with you will then abound. Whatever you seek for shall be found. On the sea or solid ground."

Spices

2011-10-20T06:54:00.001-04:00

Eating a diet rich is spices like turmeric and cinnamon reduces the body's negative responses to high-fat meals.

Autumn Drink

2011-10-17T08:51:00.003-04:00

2 cups of all natural cranberry juice

2 cups of pineapple juice

1 cinnamon stick

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, until hot and steaming(the longer the simmer, the better the flavor).

Remove cinnamon stick and pour into mugs.

Serve hot.

Healthy Halloween Treats

2011-10-13T15:25:00.000-04:00

Here's some healthy goodies to give as treats on Halloween.
Fruit snacks such as raisins, fruit strips, and fruit leathers are very satisfying for a sweet tooth.
Dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate. It also has more antioxidants which makes for a perfect treat for trick-or-treaters.
Don't offer nuts because some kids have nut allergies. Instead offer licorice or sugarless candy.

Garlic Facts

2011-10-12T03:25:00.001-04:00

The Greeks and Romans believed that garlic- also known as the "stinking rose"- could be used to treat eczema, toothaches and snakebites.
Information from "the food encyclopedia"

Apple Sauce

2011-10-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

Ingredients;
6 to 10 medium
McIntosh, Crispin, Jonagold, or Cortland apples cut into 3/4 inch pieces
3/4 cups of water
1/4 cup of honey
2 tbs fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Combine apples, 3/4 cups water and honey in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are very tender and skins are softened.
Uncover and simmer until almost all liquid in saucepan has evaporated. Remove from heat. Cool for 30 minutes.
Using fork or potato masher, mash apple mixture until coarse and chunky. Serve at room temperature or serve chilled.

Garam Masala Lentils and Potatoes

2011-10-10T03:07:00.001-04:00

Ingredients;
1 pound brown lentils, rinsed
1 1/2 pounds all purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 onions, peeled and chopped
1 can of no-salt- added diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tsp garam masala seasoning
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 yellow or red peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces, seeded and cored
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
3/4 cups toasted slivered almonds

In a large saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, lentils, onions, potatoes, diced tomatoes, garam masala, salt, cumin and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered for 35 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add yellow peppers and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Stir in cilantro and sprinkle almonds over top.
(From; Family Circle magazine)

Nuts for Health

2011-10-08T20:55:00.000-04:00

Even though nuts are high in fat, studies have not linked them to weight gain. Most of their fat is the healthy unsaturated type. Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber and phytochemicals. Nuts are good to add to any weight reducing diet.

2011-10-06T20:51:00.000-04:00

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
By Emily Bronte

Pumpkin Facial Mask

2011-10-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

This facial mask is made with pumpkin puree, which is packed with Vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredients;
2 tsp pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp honey
1/4 tsp whipping cream
Mix all ingredients and apply to face. leave on for 10 minutes.
(Information from; Bonding over beauty)

An Autumn Sunrise

2011-10-05T20:35:00.002-04:00

Enjoying a pretty autumn morning from my front porch.

Peach Jam

2011-08-31T06:00:00.007-04:00

I've been really busy gathering veggies, herbs and fruits lately, so I'm going on a blog break. Taking a blog break will give me more time to preserve the foods I pick up at farm stands, or get from my own yard.

I'm wishing everyone a great rest of the summer.

Be back in October!

Since peaches are so juicy, sweet and delicious right now, I've posted a healthy "peach jam" recipe.

Ingredients;

1 1/3 cups of finely chopped and peeled peaches

1/3 cup of white grape juice

3 tsp bottled lemon juice

1 1/2 tbsp Ball "real fruit" low sugar or no sugar pectin

Up to 1/2 cups of honey (optional)

Sanitize jam jars as stated on the "Ball" mason jar package.

Always use clean brand new lids when preserving fruits and vegetables.

Combine peaches, juice, and lemon juice in an 8 qt. sauce pan.

Gradually stir in the "Real fruit" pectin.

Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.

Add honey if using. Return to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam.

Ladle jam into hot jars one at a time, leaving 1/4 inch space from the rim. Place lids on jars. Apply bands and adjust to fingertip tight.

Place filled jars in a canner making sure jars are covered in 1 to 2 inches of water. Place lid on canner. Bring water to a gentle, steady boil.

Process jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and remove the lid of the canner. Let the jars stand for 5 minutes.

Remove jars and let cool for 24 hours.

Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lids should not flex up and down when pressed in the center. If so, refrigerate jam and use within a week.

Store jam at room temperature and enjoy this healthy preserve all winter long:)

Baked Tomatoes, Squash, and Potatoes

2011-08-30T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is a great recipe I got out of my "Whole Living" magazine.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 onion, thinly sliced

2 tomatoes, sliced thin

1 medium yellow squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 medium potato, sliced 1/4 inch thick

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbs fresh thyme leaves

2 tbs Parmesan cheese(optional)

Heat oven to 375.

Heat oil over medium and cook onions until tender and lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes.

Arrange onions at the bottom of the baking dish.

Overlap potatoes, tomatoes, and squash on top of onion.

Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and Parmesan cheese.

Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 30 more minutes.

Apple Facts

2011-08-29T18:44:00.001-04:00

Apples are a natural food, not loaded with artificial sugars and fats like many man made sports snacks.

Apple Facts

2011-08-28T18:41:00.001-04:00

Apples contain the trace mineral boron, which helps strengthen bones and protect against osteoporosis.

Apple Facts

2011-08-27T06:37:00.001-04:00

Apples contain pectin, a reliable source of fiber that causes the stomach to slowly empty. Pectin keeps you from getting hungry and distracted during your workout.

Apple Facts

2011-08-26T06:34:00.000-04:00

Apples are an excellent source or soluble and insoluble fiber.

Apple Facts

2011-08-25T06:30:00.001-04:00

Apples help maintain blood sugar levels, boost your stamina and enhance performance.

HOT CHILI PEPPER SAUCE

2011-08-24T18:16:00.001-04:00

Here's a great hot sauce recipe hubby found online. He modified it a bit to meet our taste.

Since I have tons of chili peppers in the garden right now, I'm making this tasty hot sauce and preserving it.

Ingredients;

5 cloves of garlic, chopped

10 chili peppers, halved and seeded

1 onion, chopped

1 tbs chopped cilantro

1 tbs chopped oregano

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 cups of water

1/4 tsp cumin

Sea salt to taste

Saute garlic, onions, and peppers with a bit of vegetable oil in a sauce pan for 7 minutes.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and let simmer on low for 1 hour.

When sauce finished, pour into blender and puree well. Transfer back to the pan and simmer until slightly thickened.

Store hot sauce in the refrigerator, or preserve sauce in mason jars.

Apple Facts

2011-08-21T13:15:00.000-04:00

Apples are a good source of carbohydrates, your main fuel while you exercise.

Apples help you build muscle and lose fat.

Apple Facts

2011-08-20T18:11:00.000-04:00

Eating 2 fresh apples a day can improve cholesterol levels in as little as 6 months.

Apples

2011-08-17T12:56:00.000-04:00

Apples deliver an array of advantages for people who want to have an active lifestyle. Many of these benefits are directly related to exercise and working out.

For example;

Apples are nutrient rich with less than half the calories of a chocolate bar.They'll fill you up without filling you out!

2011-08-14T23:10:00.000-04:00

Photo by me

There's always something new to study, or explore in nature.

2011-08-09T07:59:00.001-04:00

Honeydew was originally cultivated in southern France and Algeria centuries ago.

Honeydew is a part of the gourd family, which is divided into fruits and veggies.

One wedge of honeydew provides penty of vitamin C and is 64 calories.

Honeydew salad:

12 wedges of honeydew

6 cups arugula

6 fresh figs, trimmed and sliced in half

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion

3 tbsp toasted and chopped walnuts

Vinaigrette:

3 tbs white balsamic vinegar

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tbs honey

1 tsp dijon mustard

1tbs fresh mints, chopped

A pinch of sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Arrange arugula on plate

Top each serving with honeydew, fig halves, onion and garnish with walnuts.

Whisk vinaigrette ingredients to combine.

Drizzle dressing over salad.

2011-07-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

That which is timeless is found now.

Buddha

2011-07-17T11:23:00.000-04:00

Do not seek perfection in a changing world.

Instead perfect your love.

Hive Magic- HONEY

2011-07-14T14:53:00.000-04:00

Honey is an elixir packed with vitamins, probiotics and powerful enzymes, whose anti microbacterial properties help to break down dead skin. This helps sloth away skin.
Honey also absorbs moisture pulling water from the air, and then helping your skin's top layer to retain it.
Information taken from the July 2011 issue of "Whole Living" magazine

Blackberry Jam

2011-07-12T13:21:00.003-04:00

(picture by me)

There are a ton of blackberries ripening in my backyard right now.

My blackberry bushes have spread tremendously since I've moved into this house in 2002.

Instead of letting all those delicious fruits go to waist, I've decided to make jam.

For the amount of berries I have, The jam should last my family for a few months or more.

This is the first time I've ever preserved jam.

Here's a recipe for anyone who may also have easy access to a lot of blackberries. This particular recipe doesn't use refined sugar as a sweetner. Fruit juice is used instead.

(Picture by me)

You will need jam mason jars and new lids. Run the jam jars through the dishwasher to sanitize them. Place flat lids in water that has almost reached a boil. remove from heat and let the lids sit in the water until ready to jar the jam.

For the jam:

2 cups of fresh picked blackberries

1/3 cup of fruit juice(grape or pear or both mixed)

1 1/2 Tbs of "Ball" no sugar needed pectin

Crush the berries in a bowl with a potato masher, but leave it chunky.

Place the crushed berries in a saucepan and add the fruit juice to the pan. Slowly stir in the pectin and bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring almost constantly.

Once the berries have gotten so they can't be stirred down, boil for one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat. Using a canning funnel fill sterilized jam jars quickly and leave 1/4 inch of space between the jam and the rim. Wipe off any access jam that may have gotten on the edge of the jar and and place a dried flat lid on jar, then screw the cap tightly. Place the jars on a towel to cool for 24 hours before storing.

Once they've been sitting for 24 hours, check to see which jars sealed by pressing down on the top of the lids.

If they pop up, they did not seal and you can store them in the refrigerator for immediate use. If they sealed they will be secure with no noise when pressing the tops. These can be stored for later use.

(Picture by me)

2011-07-11T23:47:00.000-04:00

Each bee must eat 8 to 10 pounds of honey and fly an equivalent of six orbits around the earth to produce a pound of wax.

Hive Magic

2011-07-06T19:28:00.000-04:00

In the past beeswax as well as honey were the best of skin care for centuries.
Only now their benefits are being rediscovered for it's natural beauty benefits.
Bee populations are on the decline and they are of major importance to planetary and human health.
Nothing restores the glow of youth like ingredients from bees.
Beeswax and honey exfoliate, moisturize, and protect the skin.
Information taken from the July Issue of "Whole Living" magazine.

2011-07-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

photo by me

Gardening is a great form of meditation.

Hive Magic

2011-06-29T22:26:00.000-04:00

Bees visit an estimated 2 million flowers to produce a single pound of honey.

Keeping Snails At Bay

2011-06-24T20:21:00.000-04:00

Keeping snails and slugs away from our vegetable plants can become a challenge.

An inexpensiveive way to keep slugs away from your plants, is to place smashed eggshells around them.

Slugs won't crawl over the eggshell bits, because they don't like the feeling of the broken eggshells.

2011-06-22T13:53:00.000-04:00

glitter-graphics.com

Just 15 minutes of sunshine a day will give you the recommended daily dose of vitamin D needed, as long as your not wearing sunscreen and your face and arms are exposed to the sun.

2011-06-21T18:32:00.000-04:00

Photo by me

Happy Summer Solstice!

2011-06-19T12:55:00.001-04:00

Wishing everyone a "Happy Father's Day!!"

We will be enjoying our father's day by having a party at my house.

The weather is beautiful!

Roses from my garden

2011-06-18T17:12:00.000-04:00

These are some of the rose bushes I grow in my garden.

I took most of these pics this morning. It was a beautiful morning too!

Collard Greens

2011-06-17T22:24:00.000-04:00

Collard greens are loaded with vitamins and minerals. They also contain calcium.

Collard greens taste great in soups and sauteed in oil.

When preparing the greens, cut off and discard the stems, only cook the leaves.

Leaf Curl

2011-06-16T14:04:00.000-04:00

Last week I noiticed some of the leaves on my two peach trees were oddly colored and curling.

I went online, did some research and found out they have " Leaf curl."

Peach trees can get this fungus from too much rain. We had a very rainy spring here and the rain caused a lot of these spores to develop.

The bad news is that it's too late to treat my trees this year. The good news is that this disease will not kill my trees.

I learned that once the leaves fall off of the trees, I need to gather them up and throw them out to avoid spores from over wintering in the ground.

In the autumn, after 90 percent of the leaves fall off the trees, I need to spray them with a copper based solution (hopefully I'll find an organic form.)

Once spring rolls back around, I need to repeat the spraying before the trees bud.

This should prevent and kill the spores that carry the disease onto the trees.

For now all I can do is keep cleaning the dropped leaves up off the ground and fertilize around the base of each tree .

The Strawberry Moon

2011-06-15T19:37:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the "Strawberry Moon" tonight!

Being Outdoors

2011-06-14T13:06:00.000-04:00

Researchers have discovered that spending more time in nature gives us sharper minds and fewer sick days.

Just a few minutes of outdoor exercise such as gardening, can boost a person's mood and self esteem.
Research also shows that people who live near gardens, or parks are less likely to get sick as often. They're also more satisfied with their home, job and life in general.

Detering deer from the garden

2011-06-13T07:35:00.000-04:00

To deter deer from the vegetable garden, or from nibbling on your fruit trees, try hanging Irish spring soup in your garden, or on the trees. They dislike the smell and it's usually effective for keeping them away.

2011-06-12T12:30:00.000-04:00

"A gardener's work is never done."

Pics from my garden.

Swiss Chard

2011-06-10T11:52:00.000-04:00

Swiss chard is a must to grow in my garden every summer. I usually grow both varieties of swiss chard, the "Bright Lights" and the green swiss chard.

Dispite it's name, this is an Italian green.

It's delicious in minestrone and also tastes great sauted in olive oil and garlic.

Swiss chard is very easy to grow and you do not need a lot of space to grow it.

2011-06-08T13:00:00.002-04:00

JANE

Every cat owner knows that no one really owns a cat.

Keeping A Nature Journal

2011-06-07T20:11:00.001-04:00

Keeping a nature journal is inspiring, relaxing and it brings us closer to the natural world around us.

If we take a few minutes out of our busy day to sit quietly outside, it's more likely that we'll here the trees gently swaying in the breeze. Perhaps we'll be able to here animals and insects making noise while they go about their daily routines. We'll see different types of plants and flowers in front of us that we rarely notice any other time. We may sense the wind blowing softly against our face while we sit there, or feel the soothing warmth of the sun's golden rays on our skin.

If not any of the above, you'll surely get a few minutes of total peace, relaxation and calm while your observing nature and blocking out all outside distractions.

Some of the tools you may want to have on hand for your nature journal are stickers, pens and pencils(colored ones for sketching and drawing). You may want to use photos, rubber stampers, or any other material that may best describe your day in nature. You can make your journal as simple, or as creative as you would like it to be.

Easy Strawberry Jam

2011-06-06T16:39:00.000-04:00

Stawberry picking will be here in a couple of weeks.

I've found a quick recipe for strawberry jam in my "Whole living magazine". I can't wait to try it.

Here it is.

Heat 1 lb hulled strawberries(cut into 1/2 inch pieces) and 1/2 cup sugar in medium sauce pan, over medium heat. Cook, stirring until bubbling and thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a glass jar and let cool completely.

Store in refrigerator for up to a week

Salsa Garden

2011-06-04T10:11:00.001-04:00

It's very easy to grow a salsa garden.

You don't even need a lot of space to grow one. As a matter of fact you can grow a salsa garden in containers, if you do not have a yard to dig in.

Here's some of the basic vegetables grown to make fresh and tasty salsa all summer long.

Tomatoes( plum or Roma do best in salsa, but any variety of tomato will work.)

Cilantro

Jalapeno peppers

Assorted hot peppers such as, Chili peppers and Habanero

Roasted Tomato Sauce

2011-06-03T13:21:00.000-04:00

Tonight I'm going to try a new recipe I found in my "Whole Living" magazine.

It sounds delicious. I'm looking forward to making it.

Here's the recipe:

Heat oven to 425 degrees.

Arrange 1 pint of cherry tomatoes in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Drizzle with 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper. Roast until tomatoes start to burst, 20 to 25 minutes.Transfer tomatoes and juices to a bowl. Stir in 1 tsp balsamic vinegar. Serve warm, or at room temperature.

Cherries

2011-06-01T20:01:00.000-04:00

Cherries are a good source of anthocyanins, a group of flavoniods thought to protect against cancer and improve heart and brain function. Cherries contain 3 grams of fiber and are only 87 calories a cup.

Always look for plump, bright and shiny cherries, with bright green stems. Store them unwashed and with stems attached. Place them in a bowl and refrigerate for up to a week.

Summer Days

2011-05-30T08:53:00.000-04:00

Summer perfected is a drowse of bees and roses.

Helen Thomas

2011-05-29T10:48:00.000-04:00

"truly listening closely to what another person is saying to us, can prevent us from misunderstandings and humiliation."

2011-05-29T07:03:00.001-04:00

I have been warned off old roses by alot of people. They are prone to disease,

I am told, tempermental and touchy, scarcely worth the trouble. Old roses have character, and romance lingering in their pasts. They are like faded old beauties of Victorian and Edwardian country houses.

I love their names and their rarity and the paper- frail too.... I doubt if I shall ever be able to achieve the old rose garden I dream of, but I shall make a start.... Belle de crecy, duchesse d angouleme, felicite, parmentier, madame Hardy, wife of bath, Mousseline, old pink moss, all of them will have a place.... Albertine, of course. If there were only one rose in the world I should want to be it to be Albertine, that glorious cascade of pinkest pink. If I had a very high wall, I should like it tumbling over every inch of it.

Susan Hill

From " The Magic Apple Tree"

2011-05-28T18:25:00.000-04:00

But when...thy roses came to me

My sense with their deliciousness was spell'd:

Soft voices had they, that with tender plea

Whisper'd of peace, and truth, and

friendliness unquell'd.

John Keats(1795-1821)

"from to a friend that sent me roses"

2011-05-25T18:03:00.000-04:00

The Nasturtium is an edible flower that tastes great in salads.

The leaves are of interesting design and the flowers are bright in color. This plant is an annual. Nasturtiums grow very well in containers.

Perennial Herbs- Hyssop

2011-05-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

Hyssop Is a good hedging plant and bee plant. Monks used it to flavour wine and liqueurs. Can

be dried and used in pot-pourri.

Salsa Cruda

2011-05-17T22:11:00.000-04:00

Here's a great recipe for fresh salsa. It's also quick to make.

Ingredients:

3 large tomatoes, hand chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

3 tbs fresh minced cilantro

1 serrano chili pepper(seeded and chopped)

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp cumin

1squeeze of lime

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. If salsa seems too watery cook down for 10 to 15 minutes over low heat.

store in refrigerator for up to 10 days. serve at room temperature.

Just before serving, you can add cubed avocado if desired.

Tough Tomatoes for Extreme Conditions

2011-05-16T11:53:00.000-04:00

Here are a few hardy tomatoes, that do well in different climate conditions.

Short Season:

Early wonder- Red round

Fireworks- Slicer

Glacier- Small red

Cold nights:
Bush beef steak- Beefsteak

Early Girl- Slicer

Yellow pear- Small size

Dry:

Green Grape- Cherry size

Porter: Small

Humid:

Brandywine- Beefsteak

Crimson- Slicer

2011-05-15T13:56:00.000-04:00

Enter, then the Rose-garden when the first sunshine sparkles in the dew, and enjoy with thankful happiness one of the loveliest scenes on earth. What a diversity, and yet what a harmony, of colour! There are White Roses, Striped Roses, Blush Roses, Pink Roses, Carmine Roses, Crimson Roses, Scarlet Roses, Vermilion Roses, Maroon Roses, Purple Roses, Roses almost Black, and Roses of glowing gold. What a diversity , and yet what a harmony! Dwarf Roses and Climbing Roses, Roses that droop to the earth like fountains, and Roses that stretch out their branches upwards as though they would kiss the sun; Roses " in shape no bigger than an agate stone on the fore- finger of an alderman," and Roses four inches across; Roses in clusters, and Roses blooming singly; Roses in bud, in their glory, decline and fall. And over this perfect unity what a freshness, frangrance, purity, slendour!

S. Reynolds Hole

Choosing Tomato Plants For Your Garden

2011-05-13T16:10:00.001-04:00

When buying tomato plants for your garden, look for clean, dark foliage and a sturdy growth habit.

Do not choose plants that are blossoming, or have yellowing leaves at the bottom. This means the plant is stressed.

Tomatoes: Hybrids VS Heirlooms

2011-05-11T16:33:00.000-04:00

Heirlooms aren't as productive, but they're tastier than hybrids. Heirlooms grow long and they have sprawling vines. They produce tomatoes continually throughout the growing season.

Hybrids often have disease resistance that heirlooms lack. If you've had tomato diseases in the past, hybrids are your best choice for plantings. Hybrid tomatoes also produce their fruits all at once instead of through out the summer like heirlooms.

For a variety of tasty tomatoes, try planting both hybrid and heirloom in your garden.

2011-05-10T20:33:00.000-04:00

May I a small house and large garden have;

And a few friends, and many books true,

Both wise and both delightful too!

Abraham Crowley

Raddish

2011-05-10T16:36:00.000-04:00

Radishes are cool weather brassicas grown from seed. The seeds should be sown as soon as possible so that the radishes are not bitter when harvested.

Radish are root crops so they need to be grown in loose, well drained soil, in full or partial sunlight.

Sow shallowly, cover lightly with soil and keep moist until seeds germinate.

After that they do well on there own. Once seeds have sprouted, thin to 2 inches apart.

Radishes will give you a sign when they are ready. They lift themselves up above the ground.

It's best to harvest them early for tenderness and sweetness. If harvested too late they will be hot.

Once harvested wash the radish and do not throw away their green tops. Instead wash the greens of the radish and saute them in a bit of olive oil, garlic, sea salt and pepper.

Radishes can be kept for a week in the refrigerator but best used as soon as possible.

They are delicious when sliced in salads.

You can also roast radishes to bring out their natural sugars.

Halve radishes, toss in olive oil, with a sprinkle of sugar(optional), then roast at 375 for 15 minutes or until tender with a fork.

Rugosa Roses

2011-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Rosa Rugosa var. Alba

Rugosa roses are the most disease resistant of all other species of roses. They have recurrent blooms, with healthy foliage.

I grow different species of roses in my garden and I have to admit my rugosa roses are one of my favorites. My bushes are very large. My rugosas are literally fuss free.

"Mrs. Doreen Pike"

Rugosas have highly scented blooms. The fall foliage ranges from golden yellow,burgundy, burnt orange, russet or a combination of colors. They also have colorful canes and hips in the autumn.

Their hips can be deep red, yellow and apricot.

"Therese Bugnet"

To obtain more flowers through the summer months, cut off spent blooms. Stop clipping the spent blooms in the late summer to let hips form in the fall.

Rose hips provide 8 times the amount of vitamin C than an orange. Hips can be used in jams, jellies and teas.

Rose hips have a flavor similar to apples.

Caring for rugosas is very easy. They need to be planted where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunshine. They need no spraying for black spot.

These roses will grow vigorously without any fertilizers.

"Blanc Double de coubert'"

There are many qualities to recommend the rugosa rose. They bloom profusely, they are carefree,and they will delight you with spicy perfumes.They have some of the strongest yet sweetest scents found in roses.

Rugosa rose bushes to consider:

Rosa rugosa var. alba;

White blooms, spicy scent, followed by orange hips and golden yellow foliage in the fall.This bush is almost always in bloom.

I have this bush in my front yard and it puts on quite a show from summer to late fall.

Mrs. Doreen Pike;

Warm pink blooms with frilly petals.

Therese Bugnet;

Double red blooms, fading to pink. Very hardy with colorful red canes and a sweet scent.

Blank Double de coubert;

Double white blooms, Rich somewhat fruity perfume.