Category: Guest Post

  • Pantry Banana Bread with Christine & Anya Waltermyer!

    Pantry Banana Bread with Christine & Anya Waltermyer!

    Pantry Banana Bread

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Pantry Banana Bread

    vegan recipe

    Ingredients

    3 very ripe bananas, mashed

    1¾ cups white whole wheat flour

    2 teaspoons baking powder

    ½ teaspoon baking soda

    1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus extra for the top

    ⅓ cup sugar (combination of maple sugar and coconut sugar)

    Avocado oil

    ½ cup walnuts, chopped

    ⅓ cup oil (combination of avocado oil and refined coconut oil) 

    ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Additional options: ½ cup chocolate chips or raisins


    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

    2. Grease the bottom and the sides of an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan. 

    3. Place the mashed bananas in a big bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla and oil. Stir well. 

    4. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk to blend together.

    5. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Then add the walnuts and any other additional options.

    6. Pour the banana bread batter into the loaf pan and add a little extra cinnamon on top of the mixture.

    7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top springs back to the touch.

    8. Let it cool before slicing and enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Celebrate Earth Day with Quinoa & Kale Stem Pesto with Christine Waltermyer

    Celebrate Earth Day with Quinoa & Kale Stem Pesto with Christine Waltermyer

    Quinoa & Kale Stem Pesto

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Quinoa & Kale Stem Pesto

    Ingredients

    1 cup Ancient Harvest quinoa, cooked according to package directions

    2 cups water or vegetable broth

    Sea salt

    1/2 cup scallions (white part), chopped 

    3 kale stems

    1 sweet potato

    2/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 

    3 tablespoons pine nuts (lightly toasted)

    1/4 cup olive oil

    Method

    1. Place the quinoa in a small pot with the water or broth and pinch of sea salt.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Once it boils cover it and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat. The quinoa should be nice and fluffy.

    2. Chop the kale stems and place them in a pot with about an inch of water. Cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes or until nice and tender. When done, drain and set aside.

    3. Peel the sweet potatoes. Dice them. Place the sweet potatoes in a small pot and almost cover them with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to simmer on medium for 10 to 15 minutes or until fork tender. When finished cooking, drain and set aside.

    4. Make the pesto: In a food processor add the scallions, basil, 1 tablespoon of the pine nuts, olive oil, cooked kale stems and pinch of sea salt. Blend until you reach your desired consistency, either slightly chunky or totally smooth.

    5. In a large bowl, place the cooked quinoa, remaining 2 tablespoons of the pine nuts, cooked sweet potato, and pesto. Mix together and serve. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Simple Sunday Brunch with Christine Waltermyer

    Simple Sunday Brunch with Christine Waltermyer

    Simple Sunday Brunch

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Avocado Sourdough Toast

    An Easy, Healthy Breakfast or Snack!

    Serves 2-3

    Ingredients

    1 teaspoon lemon juice (about the juice of ½ lemon)

    1 avocado, pitted

    Sea salt

    3 slices sourdough bread (Try Apple Ridge Farm’s LOCAL bread!)

    Optional: black pepper or cayenne

    Toppings: Sliced red radish (can be pickled), microgreens (like sunflower sprouts), toasted sunflower seeds, lemon zest, olive oil & flaked sea salt


    Method

    1. Remove the zest from your lemon. Then juice the lemon, removing the seeds.

    2. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the avocado in a bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocado. Add a few pinches of sea salt and the lemon juice, then mash it again. Optional: You can add black pepper or cayenne.

    3. Toast or grill the bread. Spread with avocado spread. Top with your choice of toppings like pickled radish, micro-greens of your choice. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of the flaked sea salt.

    4. Enjoy!


    Pantry Granola

    Kid-Friendly & No Refined Sugar!

    Makes about 6 cups

    Ingredients

    1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

    1/2 cup barley flour (or other flour of your choice)

    1/2 cup brown rice syrup (or ¼ cup brown rice syrup + ¼ cup maple syrup)

    ⅓ cup avocado oil (or coconut oil)

    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    4 cups rolled oats

    ⅓ cup currants or any other dried fruit of your choice


    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the currants. Mix well. 

    3. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir the granola. Bake for 10 more minutes.

    4. Once the granola is done baking, remove from the oven. Let the granola cool before breaking it up. Stir the currants into granola. Store granola in a glass mason jar for up to a week or two.

    5. Enjoy this granola with your favorite yogurt or milk.


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Switch Up Your Quarantine Meals with Christine Waltermyer!

    Switch Up Your Quarantine Meals with Christine Waltermyer!

    Switch Up Your Quarantine Meals

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”

    During this quarantine, everyone’s starting to feel a little anxious to get outside and get back to our normal everyday routine. Meals are starting to get dull, home-schooling might be overwhelming at times, and you might feel like the house can’t get any cleaner after scrubbing it down since Quarantine Day 1. So why not switch up your meals with Christine Waltermyer?! Her recipes are absolutely delicious and simple to make at home. Her videos are helpful to follow along with too! Check out some of them below!


    Immunity Broth

    Makes about 12 cups

    Ingredients

    2 6-inch pieces of kombu seaweed

    8 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms

    1 – 2 teaspoons dried astragalus root

    3 cloves garlic

    A few sprigs fresh thyme

    1 onion (red or yellow), chopped into 4 pieces

    1 burdock root, cut into a few pieces

    4 small carrots, chopped in half

    3 stalks celery, chopped in half

    1 bunch parsley

    Fresh ginger (about 3 inches) (optional)

    Sea salt (optional)

    Water to cover everything

    Method

    1. In a large soup pot, place all ingredients. Add enough water to cover everything. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Lower heat to simmer for one hour, covered. Strain the broth through a strainer. Use in soups, cooking rice or as a warm drink on its own!


    Creamy Carrot Soup

    Serves 6

    Ingredients

    2 parsnips, peeled and chopped

    5 carrots, scrubbed really well and/or peeled

    1 bunch scallions

    20 ounces chopped butternut squash (or 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut up)

    13.66 ounce can coconut milk

    Vegetable broth to cover the vegetables, or about 5 cups 

    1 teaspoon sea salt

    Equipment: Immersion blender or regular blender

    Method

    1. Place the squash in a soup pot. Chop the parsnips, then the carrots and add both of them to the pot. (Remove any bad spots.) Remove the white bottoms from the scallions. Chop them up and add to the pot. Reserve the green part for garnish. Add the coconut milk to the pot. Then add the vegetable broth, making sure it covers the vegetables. Use more or less to just cover them. 

    2. Place the pot over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer on low, covered, for 25 minutes or until all vegetables are fork-tender.

    3. Chop the green part of the scallions to use for a soup garnish. 

    4. Add about 1 teaspoon of sea salt to the soup. Blend the cooked soup by using the immersion blender to blend right in the pot. OR, carefully transfer the cooked soup to a blender and carefully blend until smooth.


    Mixed Leafy Greens Stir-Fry

    Serves 6-8

    Ingredients

    1 small head napa cabbage, cut in half length-wise

    1 bunch scallions

    1 leek

    1 baby bok choy

    5 leaves green kale

    1 tablespoon olive oil

    Splash of water

    Sea salt

    Optional Ingredients: Chopped ginger, minced garlic, coconut aminos, crushed red pepper flakes, etc. for added flavor

    Method

    1. Wash all of the vegetables. Pull the kale leaves from the stems and rip up the leaves. If you want to use the stems be sure to chop them up finely. In this recipe I saved them for later use in making soup stock. 

    2. Chop off the end of the baby bok choy, and wash the leaves again under running water. Chop up into bite-sized pieces. For the napa cabbage, remove any outer leaves with bad spots. Remove the core from the bottom. Slice across the width into ½-inch slices, removing any bad spots you see. For the scallions, remove the little roots on the bottoms, then slice on a diagonal, about ½-inch pieces.

    3. To cut the leek, slice in half length-wise. Rinse again under running water. Lay the flat cut side down on the cutting board. Slice into ½-inch size pieces.

    4. Heat a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then the leeks. Add a little pinch of salt to help them soften. Cook for a few minutes, then add the kale. Cover and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add another pinch of salt and a splash of water. Add all remaining ingredients, plus another splash of water if needed. Cover and steam for another few minutes, or just until all of the vegetables are tender but still bright green and not overcooked. Serve as is, or with your favorite dressing or an additional drizzle of olive oil and sea salt.


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry with Christine Waltermyer

    Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry with Christine Waltermyer

    Heart-Healthy Curried Pumfu Stir-Fry

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Serves 4

    Ingredients

    1 tablespoon olive oil

    1 medium onion, chopped

    3 cloves garlic minced

    ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

    2 cups sliced mushrooms

    1 teaspoon curry powder, or to taste

    ½ teaspoon turmeric

    3 heirloom carrots, peeled and sliced

    1 container CocoJune Organic cultured coconut yogurt

    1 8-oz. pack Pumfu pumpkin seed tofu, cubed

    ¼ small head green cabbage, chopped

    2-3 cups broccoli spears

    Method

    1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. A pinch of the salt helps the onions to soften.

    2. Cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions have softened. Add the sliced mushrooms, curry powder, remaining sea salt and turmeric.

    3. Cook and stir for a few minutes, then cover for a few more minutes.

    4. Uncover and add carrots and the coconut yogurt. Stir and cover, cooking for another minute.

    5. Add the cabbage, Pumfu and broccoli. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender but still bright green. Serve hot, over cooked quinoa or rice. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Crunch Salad

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Serves 4-6

    A colorful, heart-healthy salad that highlights seasonal vegetables.

    Ingredients

    Salad:

    ½ head radicchio, chopped

    ½ cup chopped fennel bulb

    1 mandarin orange, sliced

    2 tablespoons sliced almonds

    2 heads Belgian endive, cored and sliced

    3 heirloom rainbow carrots, peeled and diced

    5 cups chopped romaine lettuce

    Dressing:

    ½ cup olive oil

    ⅓ champagne vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple sugar

    ½ teaspoon sea salt

    1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

    Juice of one small orange 


    Method

    1. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

    2. In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Whisk well to blend.

    3. Just before serving the salad, pour desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Triple Layer Carob Cake with Christine Waltermyer

    Triple Layer Carob Cake with Christine Waltermyer

    Triple Layer Carob Cake

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Triple Layer Carob Cake

    Makes One 2-Layer Cake

    This paleo cake is refined sugar-free, grain-free and decadent!

    Ingredients

    Frosting:

    ¼ cup maple syrup (+ a little extra if needed after it chills, to achieve the right consistency)

    ½ cup carob powder

    ½ cup refined coconut oil

    ½ cup almond butter (I used sprouted almond butter)

    Cake (Dry Ingredients):

    2 cup Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Flour

    ½ cup carob powder

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    ½ teaspoon cinnamon

    Cake (Wet Ingredients):

    4 pastured eggs

    ½ cup avocado oil

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    ½ cup pure maple syrup

    For Presentation: Optional raspberry sauce (recipe below), fresh mint, flaked sea salt

    Method

    To make the frosting:

    In a bowl, mix together all of the ingredients and stir well until smooth. Refrigerate while you make the cake. You may need to a little more maple syrup later after chilling the frosting, to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. If you want extra frosting for decorating, you can double this recipe.

    To make the cake:

    1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease two 8-inch cake pans with avocado oil. You can place a circle of parchment paper on the bottom of each one if you like, to make releasing the cakes a little easier.

    2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and stir well to combine. Evenly divide the batter between two cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or just until set on top.

    3. Remove the frosting from the refrigerator to come to room temperature. 

    4. Remove the cakes from the oven and set aside to cool. When cool to the touch you can invert the cakes, releasing them from the pans, onto plates lined with parchment paper. Flip one cake onto a cake plate. 

    5. Stir the frosting to help it soften. If needed, add a little more maple syrup to achieve the right spreadable consistency.

    6. Cover the top of the cake with frosting. Place the other layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the frosting. Clean any crumbs from the plate.

    7. To serve, when plating each slice drizzle with optional raspberry sauce, sprinkle with flaked sea salt and place a mint sprig on the side.

    Optional Raspberry Sauce Recipe

    Ingredients:

    1 10-ounce bag frozen raspberries

    2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup

    Equipment: plastic squirt bottle with nozzle

    Method:

    Place the raspberries and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until almost boiling. Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Place in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Using a funnel, pour into the squirt bottle. Use to make a zigzag design on each piece of cake when served.


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas with Christine Waltermyer

    DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    Vegan White Chocolate Bark

    with dried cranberries

    Makes 16 Hearts

    Ingredients

    6 oz Sunfood organic cacao butter, melted

    ⅓ cup vegan vanilla protein powder

    2 tablespoons dried cranberries (sugar free if possible)

    2 tablespoons hemp hearts 

    2 tablespoons chopped goji berries

    ¼  teaspoon sea salt

    ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    A few drops – ½ teaspoon SweetLeaf Sweet Drops Vanilla Creme Sweetener

    Equipment: Silicone heart-shaped molds (or you can just make bark in an 8 x 8-inch pan lined with parchment paper), pretty boxes for packaging

    Method

    1. Heat an inch of water in a saucepan. Place a metal bowl over it. Add the cacao and heat until melted.

    2. Add the protein powder, vanilla, sea salt, and stevia drops. Whisk to blend.

    3. Working quickly, use an immersion blender to blend smooth.

    4. Pour into silicone molds or an 8 x 8-inch dish lined with parchment paper.

    5. Sprinkle the hemp hearts, dried cranberries and chopped goji berries across the tops.

    6. Place in the refrigerator to set for 2 to 4 hours.

    7. Carefully release the chilled hearts from the mold (or break the bark into random pieces). Place the chocolate in gift box of choice. The white chocolate will keep at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Or you can store in the refrigerator for a firmer texture.


    Homemade Natural Bath Bombs

    with Essential Oils

    Makes 2 Medium Size Bath Bombs

    Ingredients

    ½ cup baking soda

    ¼ cup organic cornstarch

    ¼ cup epsom salts

    ¼ teaspoon Decorative Food Colors from Nature (color of choice) or other natural powdered food coloring

    2 ½ teaspoons jojoba oil (or castor oil, almond oil or melted coconut oil)

    ½ teaspoon water

    ½ teaspoon essential oil of your choice (lemon, grapefruit, lavender, etc.)

    ¼ cup citric acid

    Equipment: Bath bomb mold

    Method

    1. In a medium size bowl, combine the baking soda, cornstarch, epsom salts, and food coloring. Whisk to blend.

    2. In a small glass jar, combine the jojoba oil, water, and essential oil. Place the lid on the jar and shake well. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients in the bowl. It should be the consistency of slightly wet, crumbly beach sand. It should stick together and you should be able to form a small ball with it. If it seems too dry, you can add a few drops more of the jojoba oil, just enough to achieve the right consistency.

    3. Add the citric acid, working it in quickly.

    4. Using a bath bomb mold, scoop up a generous amount of the bath bomb mixture and press the two halves of the mold together. Press the two halves together firmly, then lightly tap the mold to release it. Place the finished bath bomb on a plastic tray lined with parchment paper.


    Herb-Infused Massage Oil

    Ingredients

    4 or 5 sprigs of your favorite dried herb such as rosemary or lavender

    Enough almond oil combined with a neutral oil like avocado oil to fill a medium size glass jar

    6 drops essential oil such as clary sage, rosemary or lavender

    Equipment: A pretty gift bottle and ribbon

    Method

    1. Fill a medium size glass jar with the oil. Place the dried herbs in the oil. Cover the jar and place in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks. Strain out the oil, removing the herbs, and pour the oil into the gift bottle, adding 1-2 new sprigs of the dried herb. At this point you can add a few drops of essential oil such as clary sage. Place the lid on the bottle and add some ribbon for the perfect Valentine’s gift!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Celebrate National Kombucha Day with Health-Ade Kombucha Recipes!

    Celebrate National Kombucha Day with Health-Ade Kombucha Recipes!

    ALL Health-Ade Kombucha on sale this month (1/1/2020-1/31/2020) 2 for $6!

    Yields one small jar of dressing

    INGREDIENTS

    1/4 cup Health-Ade Blood Orange Carrot Ginger Kombucha

    3/4 cup olive oil

    1 teaspoon raw honey

    1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    1 clove garlic, finely minced

    METHOD

    1. Combine all ingredients in a small jar and whisk vigorously to combine.

    2. Taste dressing and season with more salt and pepper, if desired.

    3. Dressing will keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to five days.


    Yields 4 servings

    INGREDIENTS

    1 bottle (1 pint) Health-Ade Cayenne Cleanse

    Juice from 4 blood oranges, plus 1 sliced blood orange for garnish

    1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped

    Juice from 1/2 lemon plus zest for garnish

    1 cup ice cubes

    Cayenne pepper, for sprinkling

    METHOD

    1. Combine Cayenne Cleanse, orange juice, carrots, lemon juice, and ice into a high-powered blender. Blend on low, slowly increasing to high speed. Blend on high for 1 minute or until smooth consistency is reached.

    2. Strain drink through a fine mesh sieve once or twice. Divide drink equally between 4 cocktail glasses. Pour over ice if desired.

    3. Use a vegetable peeler to peel 4 long ribbons of lemon zest. Place 1 ribbon into each glass.

    4. Slice remaining blood orange in wheels and place one face up in each glass.

    5. Sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper into each glass. Enjoy cold. Refrigerate up to 2 days.


    Yields 1 serving

    INGREDIENTS

    1/4 cup crystallized ginger, for rim

    2 teaspoons sea salt, for rim

    2 ounces grapefruit juice

    1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

    4 ounces Health-Ade Ginger Lemon Kombucha

    2 ounces club soda (optional)

    Grapefruit wheel or wedge, for garnish

    METHOD

    1. Place candied ginger and sea salt in the bowl of a food processor. Give it a few good pulses, until ginger and salt are combined and powder-like.

    2. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a chilled highball glass. Dip glass in ginger-salt mixture to coat. Fill glass with a handful of ice cubes.

    3. In a cocktail shaker, add grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Ginger Lemon Kombucha, and a handful of crushed ice. Very gently shake and strain into a prepared glass. Top with club soda if desired.

    4. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel or wedge and serve.


    Yields 2 servings

    INGREDIENTS

    1.5 cups diced mango (about 1 mango)

    1 cup dried pineapple

    1/2 cup cold water

    1 cup Health-Ade Ginger Lemon Kombucha

    2-3 ounces rum or vodka (optional)

    METHOD

    1. Add mango, pineapple, and water to a blender and blend until smooth.

    2. Strain mixture through a mesh strainer, scraping with the back of a spatula to get all of the juice.

    3. Mix fruit puree with kombucha and optional alcohol, and serve over ice.

    4. Garnish with sliced pineapple and basil.



    All recipes and information above are provided from INFRA and Health-Ade Kombucha.

    Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) is a purchasing cooperative owned and governed by independent natural and organic food retailers of all sizes working together to leverage our voice in the industry. They unite their members for the purpose of providing operational support, leveraging purchasing power, and engaging in shared marketing activities.

    Working together is how we compete and differentiate ourselves in the marketplace, and gives us a higher chance of success. The level of integrity and commitment of the retailers who are INFRA members helps us shape a future together where we will be able to continue to bring high quality organic food to our individual communities, because we have a shared vision and commitment.

  • Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    WINTER HOLIDAY HEROES

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    MENU

    Immunity Soup

    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Loaded Sweet Potatoes


    Immunity Soup

    Serves 2-3

    Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil

    1 onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)

    Sea salt

    1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

    2-3 cloves garlic, minced

    3/4 cup fresh maitake mushrooms, chopped

    2 stalks celery, chopped

    2 small carrots, chopped

    1-inch piece kombu, soaked in cold water to cover for 10 minutes

    4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

    2 bay leaves

    4 cups vegetable broth* (recipe below: astragalus, kombu, veg scraps)

    A pinch ground turmeric

    2 cups chopped kale

    1 13-oz. jar Jovial brand chickpeas, drained

    2-3 tablespoons light colored miso (such as South River Chickpea miso)

    Lotus Foods brown rice ramen noodles (2 cakes), cooked

    Method

    *If making vegetable broth from scratch, use the recipe below.

    1. Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Add the onion and a pinch of sea salt. Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

    2. Add the ginger and garlic. Cook and stir for another minute or two. Add the maitake mushrooms. Cook a few more minutes. Add the celery and carrot, and cook and stir for a few minutes.

    3. Add the kombu (whole or chopped), thyme, bay leaves, and the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer on low, covered, for about 20 minutes. Add the turmeric, chopped kale, and chickpeas. Cook a few more minutes.

    4. Remove the bay leaves, thyme sprigs and kombu (if a whole piece). Place the miso in a small bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Stir until diluted. Add this to the soup and stir. Add the cooked ramen noodles just before serving. Enjoy!

    *Immune-Boosting Vegetable Broth Recipe*

    1. In a large soup pot, place 4 cups leftover vegetable scraps (ends of carrots, ends of celery, cabbage hearts, kale stems, parsley stems, etc.) OR 2 whole carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 handful parsley and 1 onion.

    2. Add 1-2 teaspoons dried astragalus root, 2 bay leaves and a 2-inch piece of kombu sea vegetable.

    3. Add 4 cups of water.

    4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to cook on low for 1 hour. Strain and use.


    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1/2 cup carob powder OR cocoa powder OR cacao powder

    1/2 teaspoon Sweetleaf Sweet Drops liquid stevia – Vanilla Creme Flavor

    1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, softened

    1/2 cup sprouted almond butter

    1/8 teaspoon sea salt

    Topping:

    2 tablespoons coconut oil, softened

    2 tablespoons almond butter

    Flaked sea salt (optional)

    Method

    1. Using a whisk, fork or electric hand mixer, combine the carob powder, liquid stevia, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup almond butter, and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until smooth.

    2. Spread the mixture evenly into a parchment paper-lined 8×4-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons coconut oil with 2 tablespoons almond butter. You can add a drop or two of stevia sweetener if you life. Mix well, then drizzle onto the top of your fudge. Use a toothpick to swirl it around and make a marbled surface.

    3. Chill for 1 to 2 hours. Top with some flaked sea salt. Slice, serve and enjoy!


    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1 16oz bag Caulipower Frozen Sweet PotaTOASTS (frozen Sweet Potato slices)

    Sunflower seed “cheese” spread:

    1/2 cup sunflower seeds

    1/4 cup water

    1/4 cup chopped scallions

    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

    1/2 teaspoon onion powder

    1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    1 tablespoon miso

    Garnish:

    D’Vash sweet potato nectar

    The seeds of 1 pomegranate

    1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    Fresh sprigs of thyme or rosemary

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the sweet potaTOASTS in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. For more well done slices, brush with a little olive oil and bake 5 minutes longer.

    2. Meanwhile, make the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Place the sunflower seeds, water, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, lemon juice and miso in a food processor. Process until a spreadable consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides a few times. The consistency does not need to be perfectly smooth.

    3. Remove the baked sweet potaTOASTS from the oven and let them cool to room temperature. Spread each one with a rounded tablespoon of the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Top with some walnuts, pomegranate seeds, thyme sprigs and a drizzle of sweet potato nectar. Enjoy!


    Loaded Sweet Potatoes

    Serves 4

    Ingredients

    2 sweet potatoes or yams

    Olive oil

    One onion, diced

    8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    Sea salt and pepper

    White wine

    1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

    4 cups chopped kale

    2 teaspoons maple syrup

    1 teaspoon prepared mustard

    1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Squeeze of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

    Sauce:

    1/4 cup sesame tahini

    2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple syrup

    A few pinches sea salt

    3-5 tablespoons water

    Garnish:

    Fresh chives, chopped

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork a few times. Place whole sweet potatoes or yams in a covered casserole or you can wrap the sweet potatoes individually with foil and place them on a baking sheet instead of a covered casserole. Place them in the oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. When finished remove from oven, keep covered and set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, prepare sautéed vegetable topping. In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt, cook and stir for five minutes.

    3. Add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme. If the onions are sticking to the pan, add a small splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes or until the mushrooms have softened. Add the kale and another splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes. Add remaining seasonings: maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and cook and stir for a few more minutes. Cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

    4. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well together. The consistency should be something like ketchup.

    5. Slice the cooked sweet potatoes or yams in half lengthwise and evenly distribute the sautéed vegetables on top of each one. Drizzle with a couple tablespoons of the sauce and serve topped with chives. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!