Mozzerella Tomato Pasta

Recently I attended a luncheon at my sister's house where she was previewing some all natural spices and oils. The brand was Wildtree, and I was instantly impressed with the quality of the ingredients as well as the flavors they had there. I signed up to make some freezer meals, and this is one of the recipes I made there. (yes, I have tweaked it slightly)

2 cups       Chicken Breast (cubed)
1 cup         Red Pepper (slices)
1 cup         Fennel (slices)
3 TBLs      Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil 
                  (Wildtree brand)
4 TBLs      spices, Smoke Mozzarella & Tomato
                  Blend (Wildtree brand)
1lg             spaghetti squash
splash        coconut milk  (So Delicious brand)
salt and pepper(s&p)

1. Saute' your veggies up in a little roasted garlic grapeseed oil. As they start to get soft and fragrant, toss in your chicken. Be sure to season with the delicious smoked mozz & tomato blend and as always s&p. At the very end splash with some coconut milk to deglaze the pan. You don't need very much, but I used a little extra...because, I wanted to :)

serve on spaghetti squash.....(you cut in half, clean out, and roast in the oven on 400 degrees until you get those yummy pasta strings. usually around 30 - 40 minutes.

I actually feel a little bad, this pic doesn't do the dish justice, it was super yummy. Of course I don't thicken my sauces but you totally could, a little corn starch would work...but you didn't hear it from me. *wink

Raw food vs' Cooked Food - the Rat experiment

This article was profound...I copied it ere for you and included links for you to see it's source....

(NaturalNews) The following is an account of an interesting three-part experiment comparing the effects of raw foods versus cooked foods in rats. This account is taken from a book titled Goldot, by Lewis E. Cook, Jr. and Junko Yasui:

"It has been found that a group of rats who were fed diets of raw vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains from birth grew into completely healthy specimens and never suffered from any disease. They were never ill. They grew rapidly, but never became fat, mated with enthusiasm, and had healthy offspring. They were always gently affectionate and playful and lived in perfect harmony with each other. Upon reaching an old age, equivalent to 80 years in humans, these rats were put to death and autopsied. At that advanced age, their organs, glands, tissues and all body processes appeared to be in perfect condition without any sign of aging or deterioration.

A companion group of rats were fed a diet comparable to that of the average American and included white bread, cooked foods, meats, milk, salt, soft drinks, candies, cakes, vitamins and other supplements, medicines for their ailments, etc. During their lifetime, these rats became fat and from the earliest age, contracted most of the diseases of modern American society including colds, fever, pneumonia, poor vision, cataracts, heart disease, arthritis, cancer, and many more.

Most of this group died prematurely at early ages, but during their lifetime, most of them were vicious, snarling beasts, fighting with one another, stealing one another's food and attempting to kill each other. They had to be kept apart to prevent total destruction of the entire group. Their offspring were all sick and exhibited the same general characteristics as the parents.

As this group of rats died one by one or in epidemics of various diseases, autopsies were performed revealing extensive degenerative conditions in every part of their bodies. All organs, glands, and tissues were affected, as were the skin, hair, blood, and nervous system. They were all truly total physical and nervous wrecks. The same conditions existed in the few which survived the full duration of the experiment.

A third companion group of rats was fed the same diet as the second group to an age equivalent to about forty years in humans. They displayed the same general symptoms as the second group. They were sick and vicious so that they had to be separated to prevent them from killing each other and stealing one another's food. At the end of this initial period, all rats in this group then received the natural (raw) diet of the first group of rats. Within one month, the behavioral pattern had changed completely so that the now docile, affectionate, playful creatures were once again able to live together in a harmonious society and from this point on never suffered any illness.

Several rats were put to death and autopsied at the end of the initial period revealing the same general deterioration as that exhibited in the second group of rats. However, the remaining rats lived out the full duration of the experiment, to the equivalent of 80 years in humans, and when they were autopsied there were no signs of aging or deterioration or disease just as those in the first group. The obvious disease, degeneration, and deterioration of body parts evident in their first half of life had been completely reversed and excellent health restored.

The same principles apply to human life as there is only one Truth! Thus, it may be concluded that sick people may be restored to health simply by choosing the proper diet and observing the other rules of health. There is no mystery. There is no external force that will help –- all healing is accomplished within the body, by the body, in accordance with the laws of organic life and health."

About the Author:
Paul F. Eilers is an independent nutrition researcher and writer. His main interest is in cutting-edge nutrition that improves health and reverses illness. For further information, visit http://www.PaulsHealthBlog.com

Note**The science out there shows that a diet of pure raw makes a lot of sense, however in humans 100% raw is not necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle (if fact some veggies give a bit more of certain nutrients when cooked etc.)
But as we strive to push ourselve into that 51% RAW goal...this experiment can only help keep you motivated

muscle ups are HARD!!!!!!

WARNING!! The Music stinks.....but these girls are AMAZING!!! The muscle ups kill me, they don't even use momentum..it's all muscle...soo impressive!!!

Salt and Pepper....the most important spices in the world?

Ok, we need to talk about seasoning. This thought occurred to me the other night when I was cooking with some gals I don't know very well. We were throwing together some freezer meals with that Wildtree company (great products by the way) and I mentioned that we weren't using salt and pepper. My sweet hostess mentioned "If you want it a little saltier, you could just add it after you cook it."....if you don't know what's wrong with this statement...then, this post is for you.

Salt and Pepper are easily the most important tools in you cooking arsenal, in fact most chefs would a say they are the most important seasonings on the earth. Why? Not because people want their food salty, or peppery. In fact.....When you can taste salt (or pepper to a lesser extent) than you do not know how to season your food. So what's the proper way? Easy, a little at a time as you cook. Salt especially, when used right, brings out the flavor of the item your cooking. In other words, if you use a little salt on chicken...it tastes more chicken-ey. Yes, that's a word :)

But truly; as you add a little s&p to your food, whether it's veggies or meat, if you do it right you will not taste salty/peppery... you'll taste the veggies bigger and better.  In fact, if you s&p your meat well before you cook it, you will experience a juicier more flavorful version of the meat, every time. There are a ton of tricks to the timing, but basics, cooking 101...always s&p. Use a small pinch at a time. as you add more ingredients. Check the food, if it seems a bit bland, add a small pinch more. You can always add more, you can't take it away, so be mindful of the flavors you're creating. Yes a lot of this is experience, so experiment....what's the worse that can happen? If you have to toss it, you can always have a simple salad instead and try again in the morning.

Sweet Tomoato Pepper Sauce

When you find out how easy this is, you will ask yourself "why am I using this crummy store bought crap?" It is sweet and delicious, and super easy. So let's get started.


1 Red Pepper (finely diced)
1 Sm. Onion (finely diced)
3-4 cloves Garlic
3 TBLs Minced Fennel Fronds (optional)
2 sm Cans Crushed Tomato's
2 TBLs Tomato Paste
1 pinch crushed red pepper
salt and pepper (s&p)

1. Get a large sauce pan, and heat up a bit of oil (grape seed or olive) Saute' up the peppers and onions until they are fragrant and yummy. (s&p) Add in your yummy garlic and bloom it until fragrant. You can add in some yummy fresh herbs here; use Parsley, Basil or Fennel (as I chose to) be creative and make it yours.

2. Here is where you add a couple cans of crushed tomatoes. Yes I would prefer fresh garden tomatoes, but hey it's still too cold, so here we go. (s&p) Add your tomato paste and a little red pepper for a touch of heat. Now you reduce your pan to low, and let it simmer; low and slow.

 I usually will taste it and make sure it's seasoned properly. Let it cook for around 20 minutes, covered. until you like the way the flavors have melded together.

Serve on pasta, (or cabbage *wink) spaghetti squash, or some grilled veggies... Some delicate white fish or chicken...the possibilities are endless.

cabbage can become.....noodles?!?

So, the other night I was jonesing for some yummy pasta, but alas..pasta and I..not friends.

So What's a girl to do?

(yes I just said jonesing....what of it *wink)

- Easy, slice up some yummy cabbage into 1/2 inch ribbons. Saute' in a little oil (grapeseed or olive) s&p, and then dress them as you'd like.

I had some yummy Roasted Veggies that I roasted in a honey balsamic glaze,

with a bit of heat from some crushed red pepper. It was sooo good.

Who says pasta needs sauce?...what you do?...ok, I will give you a new one tomorrow you can try on your new, healthy (and tasty) 'noodles'

yes some of the veggies are a little blackened...got a bit distracted, but honestly it was still sooooo yummy!!!