Naturally Leavened Rosemary Focaccia Bread

This is a fun version of focaccia bread I made using naturally leavened dough. Super yummy!

Naturally Leavened Dr. Dough Master Recipe
1/3 cup (80 g) natural leaven
1 1/3 cups (313 g) water
1 1/2 t (8 g) salt
4 cups (475 g) whole grain flour

Instructions for Naturally Leavened Rosemary Focaccia Bread
3 T extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
2 T fresh rosemary or 2 t dried rosemary

Step 1: Make your leavening the night before. In the morning, check to make sure your leaven is bubbly, light and at peak performance. This is crucial when you are making bread. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. You can mix it by hand or in a stand mixer. You can knead the dough for a bit if you like, but it is not necessary. Let the dough rest, covered with a wet towel and bowl, at room temperature, for 4-10 hours.

Step 2: Roll out dough slightly larger than a 12" x 18" baking sheet. Pour EVOO in pan and then place dough in pan, then flip once so the other side is oiled. Press dough into edges of pan. Sprinkle with seasonings. Cut with pizza cutter into 15 pieces, 5 long and 3 wide. Cover and let rise until fluffy and nearly double in size, approximately one hour.

I got this awesome baking sheet and lid which helps with the rising process.

Step 3: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. We served the hot bread with basil pesto and a mixture of EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and freshly cracked pepper.

Mediterranean Quinoa

 

Quinoa is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids. It is a gluten free grain-like seed full of fiber, protein, and many other helpful minerals. Plus, you can cook it relatively fast which is always nice. I have been making a lot of quinoa lately for those reasons! This dish is full of Mediterranean flavors and is delicious warm or cold. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Quinoa

2 cups water

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 cucumber, peeled seeded and chopped

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped

1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped

(Dressing)

1/3 cup EVOO

2 T balsamic vinegar

zest and juice of one lemon
1/2 T pure maple syrup

1 garlic clove

1/2 t Himalayan salt

1/4 t freshly cracked pepper

1 t Tuscan seasoning (or Italian seasoning)

Bring the water and quinoa to a boil in a pot.  Turn heat down and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until quinoa is soft and all liquid is absorbed. In the meantime chop all veggies and add to large bowl. Mix dressing ingredients in Vitamix until blended well.  Add the dressing and quinoa to bowl and mix well. You can serve warm or cool in fridge and serve cold.

Spiced Hot Cacao

This recipe is adapted from mynewroots. Raw cacao and maca powder are huge super foods, as well as the spices that are added to this unique drink. Cacao has more antioxidant flavonoids than any other food. Cacao promotes cardiovascular health and protects from environmental and metabolic toxins. Cacao also raises neurotransmitters in our brains to create a more positive mood and is full of essential minerals. Maca is thought to increase energy and libido, as well as regulate hormones. Maca also provides an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. 

Spiced Hot Cacao

2 T raw cacao

1/2 T maca powder

1 1/2 T coconut sugar

pinch ginger powder

pinch cinnamon

pinch cayenne pepper
pinch Himalayan salt 

1 1/2 cups water
whipped coconut cream (optional)

Boil water on stove. Mix everything except water in a separate bowl with a wire whisk.  Add mixture to  water and stir until combined well. Serve with a dollop of whipped coconut cream on top if desired.

Crispy Potato Rounds

 These are a combination of oven fries and chips, but homemade and MUCH healthier! They are perfect to combat your cravings for something a little salty and crunchy!! My family just gobbles them up...you might have to make more than one batch!

Crispy Potato Rounds

3 white potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4" thin

1-2 T coconut oil

Kirkland no-salt seasoning
Himalayan salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Smear a little of the coconut oil directly on the baking sheet. Mix the potatoes and the rest of the coconut oil in a bowl until they are covered well. Line potatoes on baking sheet and sprinkle with seasonings.  Bake 25 minutes. Turn potatoes over and bake additional 10 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy.

 

Creamy Almond Milk Green Smoothie

This is my children's current favorite green smoothie. It is perfect for children or someone who is just starting to make green smoothies because it has almond milk instead of water and dates for added sweetness. It is creamy and delicious!!

Creamy Almond Milk Green Smoothie

1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk

3 cups (tightly packed) spinach

1 frozen banana

10 frozen strawberries 

1/4 cup dates

Add everything to Vitamix and blend until smooth and creamy. Makes one quart.

Mexican Lentil Stew

 
I love lentil soup...it is inexpensive to make, very hearty, I nearly always have the ingredients on hand, and the best part is that it is even better the next day! I made a big batch Monday evening for dinner and then we had leftovers throughout the week for lunch! It takes some time, but overall easy to make. The Mexican spices are perfect and very tasty!

Mexican Lentil Stew

2 cups water

1/2 cup brown rice

1/2 cup red lentils

1/2 cup green lentils

1 T coconut oil

2 large onions, chopped (food processor)

3 garlic cloves, minced  (food processor)

3 carrots, chopped  (food processor)

5 celery stalks, chopped  (food processor)
2 t Himalayan salt

1/2 t black pepper

1/2 t paprika

1 t cumin

1 t dried oregano

1 t dried thyme

1 T red wine vinegar

1 8 oz can tomato sauce (no sugar or salt added)

1 T vegetable broth powder

6 cups water

In large pot, bring 2 cups water and rice to boil. Simmer 20 minutes. (I like to set a timer.) When rice is done simmering, add lentils to the pot and simmer for 10 minutes. In the meantime, heat coconut oil in large saute pan. Process the onions and garlic in a food processor. When pan is hot, add onions and garlic and cook until translucent, approx 5 minutes. Process carrots in the food processor until very small and add to onion mixture. Do the same for the celery. Add seasonings and saute everything for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. When lentils are done, add veggie mixture to pot, along with the vinegar, tomato sauce, vegetable broth powder and additional 6 cups water. Stir everything well and bring to a boil. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes or until rice and lentils are tender. I like to turn off the heat next and just let the stew sit on the stove for about 30 minutes before serving so it gets thick! It is even better the next day! Note:start making this soup about 2 hours before you want to eat it! (Approx 45 minutes prep/cooking, 45 minutes simmering, 30 minutes resting.)

Chocolate Super Foods Green Smoothie

I have been concocting the perfect "chocolate" green smoothie for awhile.  I wanted it to be chock full of super foods, as well as have that delicious chocolate taste. It is packed with SUPER FOODS (foods that are extremely healthy and contain an abundance and variety of vitamins, minerals, and other health boosting elements) and is perfect for February, the month of chocolate...but without the sugar, dairy and unhealthy fat commonly associated with chocolate! Here are the SUPER FOODS in my chocolate green smoothie!

Kale-abundant in phytochemicals, substances associated with the prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension; helps oxidize cholesterol; boosts DNA repair in cells; contains 45 different flavonoids which provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. (Costco sells a huge 1.5 lb bag of organic baby kale and this is what I use!)

Flaxseed-some call it the most powerful plant food on the planet; linked to decreasing depression and anxiety; promotes cardiovascular health; 70 times higher in the cancer-preventing compound lignans (chemical compounds that act as antioxidants) than any other food; full of heart healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids; packed with soluble and insoluble fiber; aids in reducing inflammation problems (including asthma, allergies, and arthritis.) Using sprouted ground flaxseed makes it easier to digest, double the fiber, full of live enzymes, and higher in vitamin and mineral content.

Raw Cacao-contains more antioxidant flavonoids than any other food; promotes cardiovascular health; protects from environmental and metabolic toxins; raises neurotransmitters in our brains to create a more positive mood; full of essential minerals.

Raw Maca-stress fighting adaptogen used to increase energy, endurance and stamina; nourishes and supports the endocrine system; enhances libido, stimulates fertility, and regulates hormone; reduces chronic fatigue; provides an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Raw Almonds-packed with heart-healthy fats and fiber; aids in lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol; full of vitamin E and oils that may reduce the signs of aging; plays a role in weight loss without hunger; decreases risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Chocolate Power Foods Green Smoothie

1 1/2 cups water

3-4 cups (tightly packed) organic baby kale

1 T sprouted ground flax seed

2 T raw cacao powder
1/2 T raw maca powder
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup dates
2 frozen bananas

1 cup ice (optional for thicker smoothie)

Place everything in Vitamix and blend until smooth. You can soak your almonds overnight for even more nutritional value.

Variations: use half spinach and half kale and 5 strawberries in place of one of the bananas.