I never get tired of cooking, even on my day off!

This lovely Fall morning I’m baking Granny Smith apples.  Oh the aroma in my kitchen!  My neighbors must be lovin it too!

I just pulled the baked apples out of the oven and had an interestingly different idea for them aside from simply eating baked apples in the traditional manner.   Imagine that!  (I love making things up – experimenting with food – food is my canvas).     I let the apples cool, then I put them in my VitaMix with ½ cup coconut milk and a cup purified water.  I blended  the concoction on high for a minute and poured it into a glass.  When I tasted how awesome this is, I didn’t let a moment go by without writing down my recipe to share with the world!  So, here’s “Baked Apple Smoothie”,  for two:

2 organic Granny Smith green apples

1” piece of fresh turmeric root, peeled, minced – optional

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon Splenda brown sugar – optional

Preheat oven to 350°

Use a potato peeler to peel apples, and drizzle them with a little fresh lemon juice, then slice apples in ½” slices.   Drizzle again with lemon juice.   Using a small ceramic baking dish (I used a 7” LeCreuset baking dish) place ½ the apple slices on bottom, sprinkle ½ the walnuts and ½ the cinnamon on top, then repeat with remaining apples, walnuts and cinnamon.  Pour a few tablespoons of either apple juice, coconut water or even purified water into the dish and place in oven for about ½ hour until the apples are soft but not mushy.  Allow to cool for ½ hour, if you can wait that long!

Next, put everything in your high-powered blender and add ½ cup coconut milk (I used the regular style that comes in a can, organic version) and 1 cup purified water, or coconut water.  Blend, drink, enjoy!

I had some leftover so I decided to pour the leftover 6 ounces into a plastic container with tight fitting lid and placed it in my freezer.  Now, when I want a sweet evening treat way healthier than ice cream, I now have “Baked Apple Smoothie Icy”  . 

I am so grateful to work doing what I love and of course that is cooking. Many of my clients are interested in healthy eating and this is where my passion ignites. I love to make healthy soups, fresh salad dressings, imaginative and hearty salads and so many other clean and green dishes. I highly recommend the "Thumbtack" website if you need any type of service professional including chefs, trainors, therapists, dog walkers, coaches, etc. Check it out: chef

The Healthiest Lunch You Can Eat

A lunch of beans and greens is a fine way to get a great tasting, nutrient dense, filling meal.
For myself and my clients I prepare "3 Bean and Green salad".  First I make the "3 Bean" salad. I usually make a big batch and keep it on hand in the refrigerator for several days.  Then when I want to prepare a hearty lunch salad, I chop whatever greens I have on hand, arrange on a plate, then top with  "3 Bean salad. "  Voila! "3 Bean and Green Salad".

3 Bean Salad

1 can black beans

1 can red kidney beans

1 can garbanzo beans

½  cup  finely chopped FIRM tomato, seeds removed (1 small tomato)

½  cup finely chopped celery (2 medium stalks)

½ cup finely chopped carrots (1-2 carrots)

2 green onions – finely sliced

3 cloves minced garlic

½ cup chopped parsley (Italian preferred)

½ cup finely chopped cilantro

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp fresh cracked pepper

½ teaspoon Allepo pepper  - or a pinch of red pepper flakes

2 tblspns olive oil

1 tblspn white balsamic vinegar

Drain beans and rinse very well.  Place in large bowl and toss all remaining ingredients.  Mix well.   Serve at room temp or refrigerate for several days.

To make "3 Bean and Green" salad:

Thoroughly wash, spin and chop whatever greens you have on hand.  I use a combination of two or three or all the following:

spinach - kale - dandelion - watercress - romaine - red leaf

Place the greens on a salad plate or bowl, top with  1 cup of "3 Bean" salad then drizzle fresh squeezed lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of fresh champagne wine vinaigrette or red wine vinaigrette.