Tess Challis's Blog, page 6

Vegan Egg Nog

I've been meaning to come up with a great recipe for vegan egg nog for years now, and I finally got down to it this morning. I already knew the basic ingredients I wanted to use, and as I'd hoped, they came together beautifully. This is very sweet, not unlike traditional egg nog, which also made my recipe co-tester (my 8-year-old daughter) very happy! Enjoy.

1/4 cup raw cashews
1 large banana, very ripe (I use frozen banana)
2 cups almond milk (plain and unsweetened)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (plus more for garnish)
1/8 teaspoon EACH: sea salt and cinnamon

In a good blender, combine the cashews, banana, and just enough of the milk to blend. Process until creamy and then add the remaining ingredients. Blend until completely smooth and emulsified. Serve with a little extra nutmeg sprinkled on top. Happy holidays! : )

Makes 6-8 servings
GF/SF/Blue (according to the health guidelines in my books)

Ten Great DIY Vegan Food Gifts

1. Kale chips! This is what started me thinking about doing this blog post in the first place. A friend suggested the idea that kale chips in pretty tins would make the perfect Christmas gift. I had to agree! What better way to give the gift of yummy snacky healthy deliciousness?! And who doesn't need a little green balance, what with all the sugary madness this time of year? My personal preference would be to make raw kale chips, but if you don't have a dehydrator you can also bake them at low temperatures (see my video for tips on making baked kale chips). Also, my newest book contains great raw kale chip recipes if you need some inspiration.

2. These chocolate truffles are insanely yummy and can be decorated with all sorts of fun coatings. My favorites are crushed candy canes, peanuts, walnuts, and raw cacao nibs. For holidays, I often make up a double batch of these and give an assortment of them away in pretty tins. People completely love them, and they're perfect for those who think they don't like vegan food. They'll flip for these and never even guess they're not chock full of artery-clogging ingredients.

3. Have someone who loves to grow their own food? Give them the gift of sprouting! All you'll need is a few glass mason jars, some sprouting lids (cheesecloth and even a screen patch kit can stand in), sprouting seeds, and instructions. They'll never be able to thank you enough!

Raw Cinnamon Rolls photo by Olga Vasiljeva4. My recipe for Raw Cinnamon Rolls  from Radiance 4 Life  is one of those things that has surprised even me. I can't tell you how many folks have made these as gifts, served them at holiday parties, and taken them to work for rave reviews. The cool thing is that most people love them withouth even realizing that they're vegan, raw, and contain absolutely NO sweeteners (aside from whole dried fruit)! Oh, and they're scrumptious. How cool is that?!

5. This vegan parmesan sprinkle is the perfect gift for the health-minded Italian food lover on your list. It's a fantastic topping for pasta, lasagna, roasted vegetables, and anything tomato-related. Plus, it's insanely high in Omega 3s, delicious, and easy breezy to whip up. The fact that it looks super cute in a glass jar with a green bow on it doesn't hurt either!

6. These dark chocolate mint cookies are perfect for the raw foodie or gluten-free person on your gift list. In fact, just about anyone would love these healthy, raw cookies - and what a great way to balance out all the nutrient-poor treats we see everywhere this time of year!

photo by Olga Vasiljeva
7. Have someone who could use a little yummy fuel for themselves, and perhaps their family? These lemon poppyseed muffins (with zesty lemon glaze!) are super delish and made with whole grains. Long live the vegan muffin basket!


8. Want to make one dish that you can use as gifts for a LOT of people? Of course you do! Who doesn't need an awesome & delicious short-cut this time of year? Plus, you won't be tempted to eat the ENTIRE TRAY of this insanely delish orange-spiced baklava when you know you have to give most of it away. The recipe (from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth ) is also on my blog here and makes like 15 pieces. So, that's at least 5 gifts right there, yes? Package it up all cute, perhaps with a cinnamon stick up in there.

9. Have a Thai food lover on your list? Or anyone with tastebuds? This Peanut Sauce is off the hook awesome and can be bottled up in a pretty glass bottle for a gift they'll never forget. Trust me, this is a recipe I used to have to dodge stalkers for.

10. Like the idea of popcorn in tins? I know I do...I grew up looking forward to our yearly giant canister of popcorn with the divider thingy in it, yielding a trio of cheese, regular, and caramel corn. Well, you too can duplicate this idea...with cleaner ingredients! Give a variety of popcorn to your munchie gift recipients for something they won't forget. Some ideas on types of popcorn include cinnamon spice Everything Nice Popcorn, caramel corn (there's a good one in Radiant Health, Inner Wealth ), plain popcorn with olive oil and sea salt (add some nutritional yeast for extra lovins), spicy lime popcorn, BBQ popcorn, and chili-garlic popcorn. YUM. Need my mailing address? ; )

So, I hope that gives you plenty of ideas on what to give your friends and family (and anyone else lucky enough to be on your gift list) this season! I'd love your feedback...and please send me pictures of the vegan foodie gifts you're making. I love that stuff!

Italian Bread Salad with Tangy Basil Vinaigrette

Ialways associate this one with potlucks. Maybe that's because I have so manyvivid memories of people, in said potluck setting, raving about thissalad. However, be warned—it makes no excuses for its totally bold, intenseflavor! Anyway, a salad giving you excuses would be pathetic and just a littlecreepy. 
Recipe from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth

8 oz.loaf of slightly stale crusty sourdough bread, cut into cubes (6 cups of breadcubes)*
Deliriously Delectable Dressing:
4large cloves garlic, peeled
⅓ cup(tightly packed) fresh basil leaves
¼ cupextra-virgin olive oil
⅓ cupnon-virgin olive oil (or additional extra-virgin olive oil if you prefer)
⅓ cupred wine vinegar
¾teaspoon sea salt
¼teaspoon ground black pepper
Salad Stuff:
½ lb.red leaf or romaine lettuce (one medium sized head)
Onemedium-large cucumber, very thinly sliced
Onesmall red onion, very thinly sliced
Threeroma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
¼ cupkalamata olives, pitted and chopped in half

1.*Cut or tear the bread into bite sized cubes or pieces. You should end up with sixcups of bread cubes. Allow them to sit overnight in a partially open bag. Thepurpose of this is to make the bread slightly stale so that it does not becomesoggy when the dressing is added to the salad. Of course, if you already havestale bread, you can pretend like this step never happened.
2.Place the garlic, basil, and a little of the olive oil in a blender. Blend onlow to emulsify the ingredients. Add the remaining olive oil and other dressingingredients and blend on high for a minute or so, until very smooth and thick.
3.Wash the lettuce. Dry it with paper towels or in a salad spinner to remove allof the excess water. This step is important, as too much water on the lettucewill dilute the dressing. Prepare the other vegetables at this point as well.
4.Put the bread cubes in the largest bowl you can get your hands on. Place thelettuce, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, and olives on top of the bread. Pour all ofthe dressing on top, making sure to get every last drop with a rubber spatula.Using the same spatula, stir the salad very well to mix the dressing evenly.
5.Cover the salad bowl and refrigerate it for an hour or so. This will allow thedressing time to work its magic. Stir again and serve, either at roomtemperature or chilled. Enjoy having the most popular item at the potluck! Youwill never live this down.
Serves about 6; 30 minutes orunder! (with slightly stale bread) SF/Purple (according to the health guidelines in my books )

Whole Grain and Flax Cornbread

Mmm....cornbread. The perfect winter goodie. Nothing beats homemade cornbread that's warm, steamy, and fresh from the oven! Especially when it's guilt-free, as this one is - all high in fiber and goodness and whatnot, with no refined flours or animal products. Enjoy!

Flegg:
2 tablespoons flax meal (ground flaxseed)
1/4 cup water

Wet:
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1-1/3 cups nondairy milk
1/3 cup oil (non-virgin olive, melted coconut, or sunflower)

Dry:
1 cup EACH: cornmeal and whole wheat pastry flour
2/3 cup organic sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon EACH: sea salt and baking soda

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. For skillet cornbread, place a large (12-inch) iron skillet in the oven to warm it while you're making the cornbread. For muffins, lightly oil the cups in a muffin tin.
2. Flegg out. How, you ask? Simply combine the flaxseed meal with the water in a small bowl and stir. Set aside for at least 5 minutes, or until gooey.
3. In another small bowl, combine the vinegar and milk (this will become your "buttermilk"). The vinegar/milk bowl will also need to be in time out for five minutes - same as the flegg. They can talk amongst themselves if they get bored.
4. In the meantime, combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk or stir well, until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
5. Combine the flegg with the vinegar/milk mixture. Stir well, then whisk in the oil. Once the wet ingredients (and flegg) are very well combined, stir into the dry mixture. Combine well, but do not over-mix.
6. Remove the skillet (if using) from the oven and spray or lightly coat with oil. Pour the batter into the skillet and smooth out the top. If making muffins, pour the batter evenly into ten muffin cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!

Makes 10 servings/SF/Blue (according to the health guidelines in my books)

What to Bring to Holiday Parties and Potlucks? My Top 12 Picks!

So, you've asked...and I've heard you...and here's my answer. What DO you bring to all those annoying (I mean, simply delightful) Holiday parties and potlucks?? Especially when you want to contribute a relatively healthy dish but still knock some socks off? THIS, people. This...


photo by Olga Vasiljeva
My Top Twelve Picks for Healthy, Scrumptious Potluck and Party Dishes!

1. This Carrot Ginger Lime Soup from my newest book Radiance 4 Life will have everyone raving! Not only is it delicious - it's also incredibly immune-boosting, nutritious, and vitalizing. If you don't have my book, it's also here on my blog.

2. I know you've seen far too much hummus at parties, but how often is it really spectacular? Plus, sometimes hummus really is just the right thing to do. Here's my blog post on hummus perfection in all of it's glory.

3. Do you have something to prove in the "vegan desserts are just as awesome as any other kind" realm? Then make THESE. They're the most delicious, addictive chocolate truffles in the world...plus, you can do all sorts of fun coatings on them for parties. My favorite is a candy cane crunch coating. Yeah, you heard me right. It's epic and such.



photo of Raw Cinnamon Rolls by Olga Vasiljeva
4. These raw cinnamon rolls are crazy easy to make, healthy, nourishing, energizing, and totally scrumptious! Try em. Recipe from Radiance 4 Life but yes, also on my blog.

5. Want to do something really different? Every time I make this Indian appetizer, it never fails to disappear in minutes. Seriously, people freak out over these Lemon Cilantro Pakoras . Think of them as the crack cocaine of Asian snacks.

6. Speaking of flavor, these Chili Lime Noodles are incredible. Even picky eaters flip for them! Plus, they're great if you have any gluten-free guests. Another recipe from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth that's also on my blog here.



photo of fresh spring rolls by Olga Vasiljeva
7. This will win you friends, stalkers, and fans. I promise. My fresh spring rolls (aka "summer rolls") are always a hit, no matter what the venue. They're unusual, fresh, vitalizing, and you're likely to be the talk of the party if you bring them, especially if you serve them with my insane Peanut Sauce! I even have a fresh spring rolls video to help you, as well as tons of spring roll recipes in my books.

8. OK, so this is so perfect that I get a little over excited...it's a pretty green dip (that's colored naturally by the edamame!) served with red bell pepper strips. The perfect holiday colors, and the perfect holiday dip! This recipe uses a ton of healthy superfood ingredients and the result is delicious and crowd-pleasing! I recommend serving with some black sesame crackers or other healthy crackers that are relatively neutral in flavor. Yet another recipe from RHIW that's featured here on this blog.




photo by Michelle (McCluggage) Bebber
9. Here's a delicious, easy to make dessert that travels well and that everyone is sure to adore. My Grandma's Apple Crisp recipe is also near and dear to my heart as it was something my darlin' grandma and I always used to make together this time of year. And trust me, it's insanely delish! Recipe from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth and also here on my blog.




10. These asparagus wraps are so fun and fancy! Yeah, I just said that. But really, you'll get a lot of secret admirers up in your grill if you serve these awesome asparagus wraps. (pictured above) They're pretty exciting and very easy to make, even if you've never worked with phyllo before. Recipe here on my blog (and also in RHIW ).

11. Feel like bringing something super easy and snacky? This cinnamon spice Everything Nice Popcorn is a breeze to make and will surely be a hit!




photo by Michelle (McCluggage) Bebber
12. This Tomato, Basil, & Roasted Pine Nut Penne is great for when you want a crowd-pleasing entree that no one will ever guess is vegan. It's delicious, satisfying, and guaranteed to get rave reviews!

So, I hope you find that helpful, friends! And please let us know - what are YOU bringing to your next potluck or party?

A Dozen Gifts for Vegan Book Lovers

So, you're working your way through your gift list and you've come to that vegan/vegetarian friend, relative, or co-worker who loves to read. How very convenient, then, that you've somehow stumbled upon this blog post! It was really hard for me to narrow this list down to just a dozen, as there are so many great choices out there. It actually blows me away, considering what was available when I first made the choice to go vegan in 1991. I think there were like two books back then. (I started writing cookbooks for a reason.)

Anyway, this is my definitive list. It's an eclectic mix, so there's something here for just about anyone - even if they're only veg-curious! So, get yourself ready for some thrills, people - this is gonna be fun...yet informative.

My Top Twelve List of Gifts For Vegan Book Lovers (in no particular order):

1. The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood: This is a lovely reference guide that I recommend in all of my books. Rebecca's book is a wonderful treasure of whole foods, listed in alphabetical order along with their nutritional benefits. She also includes storage tips, historical references, and a few preparation tips. Basically, it's like a fun, well-written wikipedia for plant foods.
2. Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness by Robert Cheeke: This book gives you all the information you need for building your body on a plant-based diet (it's not just for bodybuilders either - it's helpful for all fitness regimes). I also like recommending Robert's book because he's just a really nice guy with a lot of common sense - and he does one hell of a George Bush impression.


3. My books ( Radiant Health, Inner Wealth ; The Two-Week Wellness Solution ; Radiance 4 Life ): I know many of you already have these, but for those who don't, they're all about deliciousness and optimal health. And who doesn't want that fab combo?? I'm currently running a sale on all three - perfect for the foodie who wants to get (or stay) healthy!
4. Beauty, Disrupted by Carré Otis and Hugo Schwyzer: Although this isn't technically a book about veganism, I can't bring myself not to include it on my must-read list. It's one of the most inspiring things I've read in ages, being that Carré is living proof that transformative change is possible in this life.
5. Happy Herbivore Cookbook by Lindsay Shay Nixon: I love how simple and easy Lindsay's recipes are. If you want practical, healthy dishes, her book is a fantastic resource! And she's also just a down-to-earth, friendly person who constantly surprises me with her creativity and intelligence.


6. Japanese Cooking by Miyoko Schinner: I love this book mostly because it contains some of the first vegan recipes I ever came to love. Imagine my delight when, twenty years later, I got to spend some time with Miyoko at the San Francisco Veg Fest (we were both speakers there). She's just a delighful woman who understands the concept of balance, health, and delicious food.
7. The Thrive books by Brendan Brazier: I actually met Brendan on that same trip (at the San Fran VegFest) and found him to be delightful, funny, and just chock-full of good, common sense - something that's ironically often lacking in so many health books. Brendan is a great example of how to be in top notch physical condition on a vegan diet and his books are full of great advice for anyone interested in reaching their peak condition.


8. A subscription to VegNews Magazine: So, this isn't a book, but you probably figured that out after you saw the word "magazine." But hey! What's more fun than a gift that you keep getting all year round? Not much, my friends. VegNews is all kinds of awesome.
9. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Eating by Julieanna Hever: A great book for those who need to learn the basics of healthy vegan eating, written by one of the sweetest people I know! Plus, how cool is it that Julieanna was recently featured on Dr. Oz? I'll answer that - it's crazy cool.
10.  Sweet Freedom by Ricki Heller: This book was even recommended by Ellen Degeneres. It's a great gift for the gluten-free gal (or guy) on your list, as all of her dessert recipes are wheat-free, vegan, and also free of refined sugar. And, yeah, Ricki's a peanut too. It's a great community that I'm part of!
11. The New Fast Food by Jill Nussinow: The great thing about this book is the fact that Jill really gets pressure cookers - and few do. I often recommend this book, as I love seeing my readers and students using the fabulousness that is the pressure cooker!
12. Party Vegan by Robin Robertson: Robin is one of those long-time vegan goddesses who has written lots of books and is very dedicated to her profession. I admire her tremendously. I chose to recommend this book as it's a great resource for, yeah, parties. And also, it gives me some time to stall the people who've asked me to write a book along those lines! For now, I have a few others I'll be writing first, so I'm happy Robin has it covered! It's a great concept and a great book.

So, I hope you found that list helpful. And I do encourage you to give the gift of reading these great books not only to the vegans on your list, but also to anyone who wants to live a healthy, happy life.

I also have to mention that it was very hard keeping this list to a mere dozen - there are many other vegan books and authors that are near and dear to my heart, and I hope I have a chance to feature them as well before too long! Happy holidays and thanks for stopping by!!

Tess's Top Ten Picks for Family Movie Night

So, you've got the night off and want to enjoy delish (yet healthy) snacks and a family movie that's actually good (unlike most "family films"). What do you do??!! You check out my blog, of course! I've got you covered with my top ten favorite family movies and fabulous snacks. You probably already suspected I love you, but this confirms it.


What to watch?? Here are my Top 10 Family Films That Both Kids and Grown-ups Will Love (in no particular order):


1. A Little Princess (the 90s remake, not the Shirley Temple version): Love this. LOVE it. Don't ask me to explain, or I'll burst into tears.
2. The Education of Little Tree: A beautiful true story about a Native American boy who was raised by his grandparents - so moving and sweet, I can barely stand it!!
3. Megamind: I was prepared to hate this, but ended up watching it twice. Will Ferrel is comedic genius as the voice of the main "bad" guy who you can't help but love. (oh, and I'm sneaking in a plug for "Elf" here as another super fun family film that also stars WF)
4. Ratatouille: Foodie rat-loving fun for the whole family.
5. Little Manhattan: So freaking adorable!! It's about a pre-teen boy who experiences his first crush. Very clever, good-hearted, and engaging. We love it.
6. Enchanted: Amy Adams is perfection in this - also perfect in this is my secret boyfriend, James Marsden. (even he doesn't know he's my boyfriend)
7. True Muppet Movies: This includes anything during the Jim Henson era, and also the newest "Muppet Movie" (2011). Forget about anything in between. Muppets = Love.
8. My Dog Skip: Super cute film about the pure, devoted love that exists between a boy and his dog.
9. The Secret Garden: Magical, inspiring, and endearing. Love this one!
10. The Black Stallion: This was my favorite movie as a child. Directed by Frances Ford Coppola, this film is strikingly beautiful, quiet, and enchanting.


My Top 10 Healthy & Delish Things to Munch on Movie Night:


1. My newest creation - BBQ popcorn! You know you want to.
2. Raw veggie sticks dipped in vegan ranch or creamy hummus
3. Hello, delicous! Spoon up some of this fat-free banana ice cream and feel the love!
4. "Everything Nice Popcorn" from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth - it also happens to be here on my blog.
5. Any of the other yummy, healthy popcorn recipes from my books - our current favorite is the sweet and spicy turmeric popcorn from Radiance 4 Life . YUM.
6. Sweet potato fries - even picky eaters usually munch these beta-carotene-rich yummies right up!


7. VEGAN PIZZA. Here's an example on my blog, and there are several others in my books.
8. Here's a great way to get your VEG on while still feeling like you're munching fun stuff. This recipe for rosemary roasted cauliflower is so sinfully delicious, you'll swear it's made of evil.
9. Check out my blog post on Ten Healthy Snack Ideas for another ten within this ten. The mind boggles!!
10. These "No Will Power Cookies" are super easy to make and also totally satisfying. Peanut butter chocolate love shall reign supreme!! OK, I know I'm being a little dramatic...but hey, this is a movie blog post after all! ;-)


So, I hope this post inspires you to have some wholesome, awesome, delish fun on your next family movie night! Oh, and of course you can enjoy these suggestions even if you are all growed up and gots no wee ones...a truly good family movie is one that anyone can enjoy, no matter what your age! So please let me know what you think...and also I'd love to hear what YOUR favorite family movie is!

BBQ Popcorn

Sure, it's a little "out there." But, yeah, so am I! I've had this odd craving the last week or two for BBQ popcorn. Out of nowhere. And I'm not sure it's even a real thing. But hey, it is now! And it only takes about ten minutes to whip up a batch! Be sure to use smoked paprika, though, as it's very important to the overall flavor. For those of you not familiar with the stuff, it's also divine on my Hungarian Chickpeas (from Radiance 4 Life and also here on this blog). Enjoy!

BBQ Popcorn

1 tablespoon oil (coconut or olive)
1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 cup raw agave nectar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons mustard powder
3/4 teaspoon EACH: sea salt, garlic granules, and onion granules
1/8 teaspoon (or more, you spicy baby!) ground cayenne powder

1. Pop the corn in the oil - I use the old fashioned stovetop method, over medium-high heat. Make sure to shake often, keep the lid on, and remove from heat as soon as the popping slows.
2. Drizzle with the agave nectar and sprinkle with the remaining ingredients. Stir well and serve!

Makes 3 servings
GF/SF/Blue

How To Pack An Awesome Healthy Lunch for Your Child!

Hey friends! I snapped this (truly stunning) photo last night to answer the question I'm so often asked: "What DO you put in your daughter's lunch every day?!" Well, that often varies, but I figured that this was as good a lunch as any to photograph as an example.

From top left, clockwise, here's what I packed last night:

* Dehydrated kale chips (I used my recipe for "Krazy Kale Chips" from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth that work great either baked or dehydrated as a very healthy snack)
* Nancy's soy yogurt (I like this particular brand as it's very fresh and nutritious, unlike so many of the other brands that seem overly processed)
* Homemade applesauce (in a pinch, you can purchase pre-packaged organic applesauce cups)
* "Wacky Apple" wild berry fruit leather - I like this stuff because it's one of the few brands that still makes organic fruit leather - so many other brands are using conventionally grown fruit, which is too bad, especially when they include heavily sprayed fruits such as apples and grapes. Of course, the best fruit leather can easily be made at home if you have a food dehydrator! We do that often, but don't have any on hand at the moment.
* "Carrot pennies" - these are simply thinly sliced carrots, made into an exciting snack by the addition of the word "pennies."
* Nori strips (we buy these pre-packaged in strips - kids love them and they're very high in minerals!)
* Manna bread (cinnamon date) - this stuff is sooo nourishing! It's made of very simple, nutrient-dense ingredients and baked at low temperatures to preserve the nutrients. This particular flavor only has three ingredients, I believe - sprouted wheat berries, dates, and cinnamon. The "carrot raisin" variety is also really good, btw.

So, now that you have an idea of what we put in our lunches, you might be asking what we put them IN. Well, as a matter of fact...as of today, Imma have to rush out and get the awesomest lunch box I've ever seen in my life! This morning, I was at Carre Otis's home (pu-leeze check out her amazing book Beauty, Disrupted - it will move you to tears and inspire you!) and she showed me these environmentally friendly and non-toxic wonders, Go Green Lunchboxes, that she uses for her daughter's lunches. I love that you can put a variety of foods in all the little compartments and also write a love note to your little one on the dry erase board inside. They've really thought of everything! Here's the one I want:
And last but not least, I wanted to leave you with some other lunch ideas for the kiddos. These are all things I've had success with in my daughter's lunches.

My TOP TEN Ideas For Healthy Kid Lunches:

1. Nori rolls: My daughter loves these and they can be made with short grain brown rice for extra nutritional benefits. She likes hers filled with carrots and seasoned tofu strips, but you can use any veggies your kiddo likes. I sprinkle them with a little tamari and lemon juice and top with sesame seeds.
2. Fresh fruit: Enough said.
3. Ants on a log: Cut celery into segments, fill with peanut or almond butter, and dot with raisins. Classic.
4. Sesame Tofu (pictured above, photo by Olga Vasiljeva and recipe from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth ) or any other fun little tofu bizness. The recipe for this is also on my blog here, btw.
5. Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches: See, I knew you'd learn something fresh and new from reading this blog post!! In case you've never heard of these, they're pretty much cutting edge. They involve peanut butter, some sort of smooshy fruit substance, and hopefully a whole-grain bread of some sort. Oh, but wait, there's more! Have you ever made a...
6. Rainbow PB&J?! Trust me, you want to know about this. Take a whole grain slice of bread and top with peanut butter and a thin layer of jelly. Then, make a rainbow open face sandwich happen. I make my rainbow out of sliced strawberries, mango, banana, kiwi, and blueberries. So fun, healthy, and pretty!
7. Fresh spring rolls! My daughter loves these bad boys filled with seasoned tofu, carrots, sesame seeds, cabbage, and mint....with a lil peanut sauce on the side. You can find the exact how-to on spring rolls in any or all of my books.
8. Sesame Peanut Noodles: Toss udon (or soba, linguine, rice, etc.) noodles with peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, tamari, and tahini. Add whatever Asian-style veggies your child will go for (edamame, carrots, peas, cabbage, and cilantro are good choices).
9. Bean burrito: My daughter loves these in her lunches! I simply fill a sprouted grain tortilla with vegan cheese and beans, wrap, and pan-fry until both sides are crisp and browned. From there, I wrap it up and serve with a little vegan sour cream. Surprisingly delicious even when served cold, the next day!
10. Don't underestimate the magic of liquid sustenance! Smoothies, shakes, and even green smoothies are a great way to keep your child fueled and energized throughout the day. Here's a green smoothie recipe that I've made at kid's cooking classes with rave reviews.

So, there you have it! Lots of ways to make your kid's lunches something fun, special, and uber-nutritious. Enjoy!

Rosemary Mushroom Strudel

photo by Olga VasiljevaRecipe from Radiant Health, Inner Wealth
Mushroom lovers, this dish was made for you (us)! There isnothing like a medley of well flavored mushrooms to delight the palate andnourish the body. If you are gluten intolerant, you can substitute pan-fried polentafor the puff pastry. However you end up, this is a delicious, easy, and impressive way to begin a meal. Oh, and yes, this is a great side dish for Thanksgiving!
Rosemary Mushroom Strudel

½ lb. frozen puff pastry dough (thawed according to thepackage directions)*
Mushroom Mania:
1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
1½ cups (3 oz.) sliced or chopped portabella mushroom caps
1½ teaspoons fresh rosemary leaf, chopped
½ teaspoon each: driedthyme and fresh lime juice
¼ teaspoon each:organic sugar and ground black pepper
5 large cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon each:balsamic vinegar, tamari (or shoyu or soy sauce), and olive oil (orrosemary-infused olive oil)
Garnish:
1 tablespoon olive oil or rosemary infused olive oil
1 teaspoon each: driedminced onion and fresh rosemary leaf, chopped
1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Sauté all of the ingredientsfor the mushroom mania medley (mmm...) over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, oruntil all of the liquid is absorbed.
2. Cut the puff pastry into 3-inch squares. Alternatively,you can opt for fun shapes, made using cookie cutters. Place the pastry pieceson lightly oiled cookie sheets, leaving just a little room in between so theycan puff out. Top them evenly with the mushroom medley.
3. Drizzle the additional olive oil evenly on top of themand sprinkle with the dried onion and rosemary. Bake for about 10 minutes, oruntil the pastry is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Serves 4; 30 minutes or under! GF (with polenta)/Purple (according to the health guidelines in my books)
*Tosubstitute polenta for the puff pastry, simply follow the directions for makingpolenta on page 94 of RHIW. When the polenta is firm (after chilling overnight), cut itinto squares or shapes and pan-fry it until golden browned on both sides. Topthe hot, pan-fried polenta pieces with the cooked mushroom mixture, sprinklewith the garnishes, and serve.