5 Fabulous Costco Favorites

Costco is one of our favorite shopping meccas.  In one stop, we can get our eyeglasses adjusted quickly and for free (and, everyone in the optical department knows Justin, who has autism, by name!), bump into friends, enjoy an inexpensive lunch and pick up most everything we need (plus some!) for the week ahead.

Here are five favorites from our weekend haul.

1.  Sweet Kale Salad.  I love this salad and have it for lunch at least once a week.  Each bag contains broccoli, Brussels (which is plural ... I did not know that) sprouts, cabbage, kale and chicory, with dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds and poppyseed dressing.  Yum!

 
 2.  Silk Pure Almond Milk.  Vegan and gluten-free.  We use this, and the wild blueberries below, in our cereal every morning.  A good price.

3.  Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus.  Vegan and gluten-free.  Quick and easy healthy snack, as a dip with cut up veggies or with black bean and quinoa tortilla chips, also from Costco, natch!  It makes a nice spread for sandwiches, in place of mayonnaise.

4.  Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves.  These are also vegan, which is perfect for my husband.  I am hobbling along the vegan path, with cheese remaining my downfall.  I am convinced that there really is such a thing as a cheese addiction.  Cheese and super spicy food.  These grape leaves are handmade and stuffed with seasoned rice, tomatoes, onions and red peppers.  We enjoy having them for dinner with a salad.  Yummy and 0g saturated fat and trans fat.  Oh, and they're gluten-free.

5.  Wyman's of Maine Wild Blueberries.  We visited Maine last summer where we celebrated our wedding anniversary while falling in love with their wild blueberries.  Every morning these top our cereal.

Happy shopping!

~Merrill ♥

Down 20 Pounds = Meatless Monday + Life-Changing Documentary

About a month ago, my beloved and I watched "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix.  My friend Vicki had recommended it last year, but we were busy with life and put it off, darn it!  You know how sometimes you wish you could have a do-over?  This is one of those times.  We have been telling everyone about this movie, which now includes you.  Don't wait.  Watch it right away.  TWO THUMBS UP! 

The documentary takes a look at the theory that most, if not all, degenerative diseases can be controlled, or even reversed, by following a whole-food, plant-based diet. The story traces the personal journeys of two pioneering researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell (author of The China Study and nutritional scientist at Cornell University) and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (top surgeon and head of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic).

Dr. Campbell was concerned in the late 1960s with producing high quality animal protein to bring to the poor and malnourished areas of the third world. While in the Philippines, he made a life-changing discovery: the country's wealthier children, who were consuming relatively high amounts of animal-based foods, were much more likely to get liver cancer. Dr. Esselstyn found that many of the diseases he routinely treated were virtually unknown in parts of the world where animal-based foods were rarely consumed.

These discoveries inspired Drs. Campbell and Esselstyn, who didn't yet know each other, to conduct several groundbreaking studies. One of them took place in China and is still among the most comprehensive health-related investigations ever undertaken. Their research led them to a startling conclusion: degenerative diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented - and in many cases reversed - by adopting a whole foods, plant-based diet.

Their website, FORKS OVER KNIVES, has so many interesting articles, videos and more. Check it out

  

Found on page 27 of the book:  “The fact that so many diseases are dependent on diet is the reason why, for health and healing, it is far better to rely on food (i.e., your fork) than surgery (i.e. the surgeon’s knife). Simply put: forks over knives.” 

Super duper news is that my husband was so moved by the film that he immediately adopted a whole-food, plant-based diet.  He dropped 20 lbs. in one month and feels like one hundred dollars.  He didn't over think it but rather jumped in feet first.   I am taking the more timid big-toe-in-the-water approach but will get there, and will keep you posted.  Our kids haven't noticed much of a difference.  Our son, who happens to have autism, has been gluten-free for 18 years, and our daughter is dairy-free, so modifying diets is our way of life.

I will be posting yummy plant-based recipes HERE that have all been taste tested and approved by my family.

When you watch the film, let me know what you think.

~Merrill ♥ 

St. Patrick's Day Round-Up: Think Green

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, this morning I prepared green [gluten-free] pancakes for my son, Justin.  I added a bit of green food coloring to the batter, then topped the finished cakes with whipped cream and green sprinkles.  He loved them!

May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

 ~Merrill ♥

Best Berry Smoothie Recipe

A few of my New Year's resolutions included eating breakfast daily (I was a habitual skipper) and losing weight.  A friend had seen Alton Brown, of Food Network fame, talk about his Food Lists for Weight Loss on the Dr. Oz Show (thanks, Linda).  I gave Alton's show appearance a google and came up with four lists:

1).  Foods to eat on a daily basis.

• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts
• Carrots
• Green tea
• Whole grains
• Fruits

2).  Foods to eat three times a week.

• Yogurt
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Sweet potato
• Avocado
• Oily fish
• Tofu

3).  Foods to eat once a week.

• Red meat
• White starch
• Desserts
• Alcohol

4).  Food to never eat/Foods to avoid at all times.

• Soda
• Processed meals
• Canned soups
• “Diet” anything

Of the six foods to eat on a daily basis, I could knock three out by whipping them up in a blender:  nuts, whole grains and fruits.  Oh, I should add that Alton lost 50 lbs. following this diet.  Pretty darn impressive!

After a wee bit of trial and error, I came up with the perfect smoothie recipe that I now enjoy most every morning.

BEST BERRY SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS

• 2 handfuls of frozen berries (I buy the big bag at Costco)
• 1 carton of Greek yogurt - I like the honey flavor, but you can use plain and add a squeeze or two from the honey bear
• 6 roasted almonds (you can buy them raw and bake on a cookie sheet at 350° for 10-12 minutes)
• 1 handful of uncooked oatmeal
• 1 splash of light vanilla soy milk (you can use cow's milk.  Personal preference).

Add all ingredients to the blender and liquefy.  Try it.  It's super yummy!  I feel the lbs. dropping off. ;)

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! 

~Merrill ♥