The Dirty Dozen

   My goal this year is to buy more organic produce and try to incorporate more raw foods into my diet on a daily basis. The Environmental Working Group has compiled a list of the top most sprayed produce in stores today. This list was eyeopening! It was also a great tool to help me choose which produce to start buying organic. If I could, I would buy all organic!! But unfortunately, in some places you don't always have that option. For me personally, the top 3 on the list; Apples, Celery, and Strawberries- I will only buy organic, and if organic is not available, I just don't buy them. For the rest of the list, I try my best to buy organic if it's available, and it also helps to purchase in season, and locally. For instance- most table grapes sold in grocers today are imported, and imported grapes contain up to 14 different pesticides on a single sample. 
   With that in mind, if organic produce is not available, research suggests that thoroughly washing the fruits and vegetables, removes most of the chemical residue. The cooking process also reduces contamination further, but when trying to add more raw foods to the diet, be sure to wash the food as well as possible, and if at all possible, choose to purchase organic produce, for your health, and the health of the planet. Our choices as consumers do make a difference. If more people choose to buy organic and/ or pesticide free produce and other food products, companies will start to shift the way food is grown. 
So... here is the list! 


The Dirty Dozen
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches 
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines- imported
7. Grapes- imported
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries- domestic
11. Lettuce
12. Kale and Collard Greens


   I hope this list encourages you to choose organic produce! For the rest of the list, visit The Environmental Working Group's website. Under the heading Executive Summary, you can also find the Clean 15- a list of the most pesticide FREE produce. The Full List is also available with the top 53 fruits and veggies with the most contamination. 


Choose Well, Eat Well, Live Well!
   -Lisa

Super Simple Slaw

Super Simple Slaw

  ...Mix up this simple slaw to go with Veggie Burgers, and Oven fries. The slaw salad is a nice touch to round out the meal.

2-3 cups shredded green and/or red cabbage

1 cup shredded carrots
2 apples- grated

1/4 cup lemon juice 
3 heaping Tbsp. Veganaise, (vegan "mayo")
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. agave syrup or maple syrup

Ground fresh black pepper (to taste)
1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)


Shred the cabbage, carrots, and coarsely grate the apples. In a large bowl, toss with the lemon juice.

Blend together Veganaise, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, agave/maple syrup.

Add the dressing to the salad and toss well.

Add pepper and sesame seeds

Allow to chill in fridge for at least twenty minutes before serving.
Serve cold with fresh pepper on top. 

That’s it! Super Simple Slaw!

Enjoy…. -Lisa 

Wedding Menu- Crumble Cakes

Spanish Crumble Cakes

 Otherwise known as ‘mantecados’, these little cookies are a delicate, soft, melt in your mouth treat. Try to find the anise liquor or extract, as it adds a delicate and unique flavor that words can’t describe.

2 ¼ cup vegetable shortening (I used Earth Balance)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 2/3 cup granulated sugar

Egg re-placer(4 eggs worth- I use Ener-G brand)

2 tsp anise extract or 2 shot glasses of anise liquor

Zest- from one Lemon

Juice- from one Lemon

½ tsp cinnamon

7 ¼ cups unbleached white flour

½ tsp baking soda

4 Tbsp Almond Milk (or other nut milk for glaze)

 In a large mixing bowl, whip together the shortening and oil until well blended. Then add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Prepare the egg-replacer and add it along with the anise, lemon zest, juice, and cinnamon and mix well.

Slowly add the flour one cup at a time, plus the baking soda. Be sure to mix well. The dough should be smooth and soft.

 Preheat the oven to 325°. Using a small spoon, scoop out a dollup of dough, roll it into a ball. (If the dough is too sticky, add more flour) Place the balls evenly space on an un-greased cookie sheet. With something flat (the bottom of a glass jar works good), lightly press down on each ball to flatten into a round cookie.

 Brush the Almond milk on the top of each one. This will give them a slight glaze on the top, and also help them to turn golden brown.

 Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, maybe 20. Let the crumble cakes cool 5 minutes before removing them from the sheet pan, as they are very delicate. This recipe makes about 7 dozen cookies. These cookies may also be frozen, to save for a later date.