Tuesday, October 9, 2012

D is for Dandelion

Dandelion.  That weed that seems to pop up in our yard and is so hard to get rid of.  But had we known it has healing properties, we may have thought twice before getting rid of the popular misunderstood pest.

Believe it or not, Dandelion has cancer fighting properties.  According to Livestrong.com, "The U.S. National Library of Medicine (USNLM) site also indicates that dandelion is used to treat these conditions: cancer, colitis, diabetes and hepatitis B." - http://www.livestrong.com/article/159053-dandelion-root-vs-dandelion-leaf/#ixzz28oVjqWq3.  Another Livestrong.com article credits Dandelion for helping numerous types of cancers - http://www.livestrong.com/article/379095-dandelion-herb-for-cancer/
 
I use Dandelion Leaves in my smoothies.  I blend them with other leaves, beets, carrots, ginger and lemon; put them into ice cube trays and freeze them.  I grab six of them each morning and blend with some fruit and maple syrup and whatever herbs/spices I have a taste for to have a great, healthy smoothie.  I like putting them into ice cubes and blending them later because the "mushy" texture is removed.  When I would blend my leaves with fruit, I didn't particularly like the "mushy" texture.
 
Does anyone else have a Dandelion recipe to share? 

Monday, October 8, 2012

C is for Cabbage

When I think of cabbage, I think of the infamous "cabbage soup" diet.  I was excited to know that cabbage is a cancer fighting food.    'Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower have a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer..." (http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm). Cabbage also has additional cancer fighting properties - "Isothiocyanates (pronounced eys-so-thigh-o-sigh-an-ate) stop carcinogens in three different ways, according to The Cancer Project: They prevent carcinogens from being activated, they counteract the effects of carcinogens once they have been activated and they speed up the removal of carcinogens from the body" - http://www.naturalnews.com/032377_cabbage_anti-cancer_food.html#ixzz28i7W2xZx

Cabbage can be eaten in so many varieties - cole slaw, sauerkraut, shredded to add to salad and stir fries, and in, of course, soup.  Cabbage also made The Daily Green list of 15 foods that does not have to be eaten organic - http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808.  This cruciferous vegetable can be purchased at incredibly low prices at Aldi, Save A Lot and Walmart.  Local grocers have cabbage at affordable prices, too.  The Daily Green suggests purchasing heads of cabbage that have tight leaves and is heavy in weight. A great recipe for Asian salad is below - thanks, The Daily Green!

ASIAN COLE SLAW
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 large head savoy cabbage (about 2 1/2 pounds), thinly sliced and tough ribs discarded
1 bag (16 ounces) carrots, shredded
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
PREPARATION
1. In large bowl, with wire whisk or fork, mix rice vinegar, vegetable oil, sesame oil, and salt.
2. Add cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro; toss well. If not serving right away, cover and refrigerate.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
(based on individual servings)
Calories: 55
Total Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 260 mg
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: g
Protein: 2 g


Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/asian-coleslaw-1202#ixzz28i9NfSzJ


Daily Deals!

$1 coupon for Hansen All Natural Soda from Healthy Life Deals.
http://healthylifedeals.com/new-hansen-all-natural-soda-coupon/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyLifeDeals+%28Healthy+Life+Deals%29

$1 coupon for McCann's Artisan Instant Oatmeal from Healthy Life Deals.
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50% off Organic Baby Products from Healthy Life Deals.
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$.75 coupon off 2 Cascadian Farm products from Surviving the Stores.
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$2.41/each Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix from Jungle Deals and Steals.
http://jungledealsandsteals.com/bobs-red-mill-gluten-free-pizza-crust-mix-16-ounce-bags-2-41-each/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JungleDealsSteals+%28Jungle+Deals+%26+Steals%29

$.75 coupon for Earthbound Farm Organic Sliced Apples from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/10/5/75-off-earthbound-farm-organic-sliced-apples.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

40% off Flash Sale at Ecomom from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/10/5/40-off-flash-sale-at-ecomom.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

$2 coupon for Sambazon Organic Juice from Printable Coupons and Deals.
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$1 off any Organic Girl Brand Salad from Printable Coupons and Deals.
http://printablecouponsanddeals.com/2012/10/1-off-any-one-organic-girl-brand-salad.html

30% off selected Desert Essence products.
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35% off OOTS Modern Lunch Systems from Organic Cents.
http://organiccents.blogspot.com/2012/10/oots-modern-lunch-systems-at-35-off.html#!/2012/10/oots-modern-lunch-systems-at-35-off.html

Mambo Sprouts coupons!
http://archive.mambosprouts.com/emailblasts/2012/oct/hen/main.html

$21 Spicely Organic gift sets from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/10/7/spicely-organic-gift-sets-21-shipped.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

$.55/2 Organic Challenge butter from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/10/6/new-challenge-organic-butter-coupon.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

$.50/2 McCormick spices from Organic Deals and Coupons.
http://www.organicdeals.com/home/2012/10/7/new-mccormick-coupon.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrganicDeals+%28Organic+Deals+%26+Coupons%29

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Daily Deals!

$4.29 for 1 year Whole Living Magazine subscription with code from Stretching a Buck.
http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/2012/10/whole-living-magazine-subscription-deal-1-year-for-4-29-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+StretchingABuck+%28Stretching+a+Buck%29

$2.56/each Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Sweet White Sorghum Flour 22 oz from Jungle Deals and Steals.
http://jungledealsandsteals.com/bobs-red-mill-gluten-free-sweet-white-sorghum-flour-22-ounce-2-56-each/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JungleDealsSteals+%28Jungle+Deals+%26+Steals%29

Muir Glen pasta sauce and Cascadian Farms cereal coupons on Coupons.com.
http://www.coupons.com/coupons/Foods-Coupons-107/

$8.94 Watts Beauty Organic Argan Oil 1oz from Healthy Life Deals
http://healthylifedeals.com/organic-argan-oil/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HealthyLifeDeals+%28Healthy+Life+Deals%29

50% off Eco-Pac Eco Reusable Food Bags from Healthy Life Deals.
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15% off hot dogs and ground beef from Organic Prairie.
http://www.organicprairie.com/prod_detail_list/seasonal?utm_source=pfcust&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20121001


To B or not to B!

After reading an awesome Instagram post from my amazing godson, I realized that I have to make this month's posts important.  His inspiration from his dedication to his grandmother, whom he has never met because she passed before he was born, overcame me.  "Mama Bear" passed from breast cancer.   My grandmother also passed from this terrible disease.  I credit my grandmother for giving me the best gift ever - an introduction to Jesus. 

The next letter in the alphabet is B.  Broccoli is a serious cancer fighter that is affordable and easy to prepare.  Don't cook it too long.  Vegies lose most of its nutrient value when heated above degrees.  Kristie Leong, M.D. wrote an article stating that steaming broccoli in a metal or bamboo steamer retains most of its nutrients, particularly the anticancer agent gucusinolate - http://voices.yahoo.com/how-cook-vegetables-without-losing-their-vitamins-352528.html.  Amazon has a great bamboo steamer for $14.99 and it's eligible for Free Super Saving Shipping on orders over $25 -
http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Chen-26-0013-10-Inch-Steamer/dp/B0001VQIYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349183786&sr=8-1&keywords=steamer+bamboo

Did you know that the body absorbs more calcium from broccoli than milk - yep, you read it right - more calcium from broccoli than milk.  Livestrong.com's article states that "only 30 percent of the calcium in dairy is absorbed, compared to more than 50 percent absorption of calcium from broccoli" - http://www.livestrong.com/article/117287-broccoli-high-calcium-foods/#ixzz289ATcxoZ

Broccoli is on the "safe" veggie list.  This list is composed of vegetables and fruits that can be eaten conventional.  The Daily Green places Broccoli on its "The Clean 15: Foods You Don't Have To Buy Organic" list - http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/Save-on-Sustainable-Gallery-44032808You can find great deals at Aldi's, Save-A-Lot, Target, Walmart and local grocers. Publix has 2 bunches for $4.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Deal Seeking Mom has 31 days of Homemade

Love this blogger!  She is now taking on 31 days of homemade recipes.  The first one is a Taco Seasoning recipe.  I have my own but her version is awesome!  I love spicy things so this recipe definitely will be a staple of mine.  No preservatives, additives nor any of the other sludge that comes in most packaged versions.   I'll keep an update at the end of each week.  Let me know what recipes you like and what you don't like.  If you make adjustments for your dietary/health needs, please share. 

Great idea Deal Seeking Mom!  I'm looking forward to more tasty recipes!  Click the link provided to get all of the recipes.

http://dealseekingmom.com/31-days-of-homemade/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DealSeekingMom+%28Deal+Seeking+Mom%E2%84%A2%29

Let's start with the letter A...

This month, I'm going to read up on one food a day.  You always hear of what the best foods are that you should eat, but you rarely hear about WHY that food is so good for you.  All that said, I am going to take on the task of going through the alphabet of foods.  Example - A is for Apple.

I love iVillage.com.  They have great articles about living a healthy lifestyle.  And the information provided is easy to understand and incorporate into my everyday life.  Today I read "Dr. Oz's 99 Healthiest Foods -- How Many Are In Your Shopping Cart?"http://www.ivillage.com/dr-ozs-99-healthiest-supermarket-foods/4-b-437880#ixzz283QmgNfM.  And wouldn't you know, the first food was an Apple!

Who knew Apples were a heart healthy food and can help maintain a healthy body weight?!  Not to mention, Apples are a great food to eat plain.  I am a "dipper" (I love dips and condiments!) and love to match Apples up with peanut butter.  Remember, Apples are on the Eating Well's Dirty Dozen list as #1 for foods you should buy organic.  Find out why: http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/organic_natural/dirty_dozen_plus_14_foods_you_should_buy_organic
There are soooooooo many varieties.  My favorite are the Cameo Apples dipped in peanut butter.  It's something about that that sweet and salty blend that makes my taste buds scream!!!  Apples are an October seasonal food - http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/slowfoodorganiclocal/a/inseasonoctober.htm - so they are plentiful and ripe!


Get $1 off Earth Balance Peanut Butter with a great coupon from Mambo Sprouts.
http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&zid=uw18&nid=10&bid=alk100106103074a946e754216

Great Applesauce recipe from Eatingwell.com.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/maple_cinnamon_applesauce.html