Recipes

Mason Jar Vermicelli Tofu Soup

Mason Jar Vermicelli Tofu Soup
This quick, wholesome, and portable meal is perfect for busy days when you need something comforting but light. Packed with tender vermicelli noodles, silky tofu, vibrant veggies, and a flavorful broth, this soup comes together in minutes. Layer everything in a mason jar for an easy grab-and-go lunch—just add hot water when you're ready to eat. It's the ultimate mix of convenience and nourishment, with a touch of cozy that feels like a hug in a jar! 

Ingredients: 
  • 4 ozs
 Tofu (diced)
  • 
1/2
 Carrot (medium, finely chopped or cut into ribbons)

  • 1/4
 Red Bell Pepper (medium, diced)

  • 1/4 cup 
Broccoli (chopped into florets)

  • 1 stalk 
Green Onion (chopped)
  • 
1 tbsp 
organic tamari 
  • 
2 tsps
 Miso Paste

  • 1/2 tsp
 Everything Bagel Seasoning

  • 1 oz 
Rice Vermicelli Noodles (dry)

  • 1 1/2 cups
 Water (boiling)
Instructions:
  1. In a mason jar, layer the tofu, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, green onions, soy sauce, miso paste, everything bagel seasoning, and noodles. Secure the lid and store in the fridge until ready to eat. 
  2. To serve, pour boiling water into the jar, covering the ingredients. Secure lid and shake carefully or use a spoon to gently push the noodles into the water. 
  3. Let it sit for six to eight minutes or until the noodles are tender. Enjoy!



Falafel Tahini Salad

Falafel Tahini Salad
These were delicious! My mixture was pretty wet and goopy - maybe because my lentils were still very warm from cooking? I added almond flour and two tablespoons of coconut flour to the processor and they came out wonderful :)

Ingredients: 

  • 2 2/3 cups Green Lentils (cooked, drained and rinsed)

  • 1/3 cup Tahini (divided)
  • 
1/2 cup Cilantro (finely chopped)

  • 1 tsp Cumin

  • 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 
1 tsp Sea Salt (divided)

  • 1/4 cup Unsweetened Coconut Yogurt

  • 1/4 cup Water

  • 8 cups Mixed Greens

  • 1 cup Sauerkraut
 I also like to add: avocado, mushrooms, sliced peppers, cucumbers, tomato, capers and/or olives.

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
  2. In a food processor or blender, combine the lentils, 2/3 of the tahini, cilantro, cumin, apple cider vinegar and half the salt. 
  3. Form the mixture into balls using about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture for each ball. Place on the baking sheet and cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until warmed through and firm. 
  4. Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking together the yogurt, remaining tahini, remaining salt and water. 
  5. Divide the mixed greens onto plates and top with the lentil tahini falafels, sauerkraut and tahini yogurt dressing. Enjoy!




Eggnog Revamped

Eggnog Revamped
Traditional eggnog is made with eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream, which unfortunately won’t work for those of us avoiding conventional dairy. I’ve been wanting to make some that tasted good and even had some nutritional value, so we're giving this one a try!

Ingredients
  • 1 13.5 oz can full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, or dairy free milk of choice
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1 tsp nutmeg, + more for garnish
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup Flor de Cana dark rum
  • Dairy free whipped cream, for topping, optional
Instructions
  1. Add the egg yolk and maple syrup to a medium bowl and using a hand mixer, mix on high until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  2. To a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add the coconut milk, almond milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cook while whisking often until the mixture just begins to simmer.
  3. Very slowly pour the milk mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks and maple syrup while mixing with the hand mixer. It is important to go slow while continuously mixing to temper the eggs. We don't want them to scramble / cook!
  4. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer back into the pot on the stove. Whisk constantly over medium low heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and the rum. Whisk to combine. Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Top with dairy free whipped cream, and garnish with a cinnamon stick, and more grated nutmeg. Enjoy!
Derived from Mary's Whole Life 

Buckwheat and Fried Egg Breakfast Bowl

Buckwheat and Fried Egg Breakfast Bowl
I love buckwheat. I had it has a child with a yummy dish (Kasha Varnishkes) that is a traditional Eastern European dish (these were my Ashkenazi Jewish relatives) My aunt liked to add in beets which I also enjoyed! this recipe is more of a breakfast one but also super delicious! you can add in cabbage for some extra gut support or keep it simple like this recipe. 

Ingredients 
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1 cup Buckwheat Groats
  • 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
  • 4 Eggs
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions 
  1. In a medium-sized pot, bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the buckwheat. Cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
  2. While the buckwheat is cooking, heat a pan over medium heat and add the oil. Once warm, crack the eggs in the pan and cook until the whites are set and the yolk is cooked to your liking.
  3. Divide the cooked buckwheat and fried eggs between bowls. Top with spinach, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

New Year Black-Eyed Peas

New Year Black-Eyed Peas
Every year, I like to make a traditional New Year's Eve dish. According to Southern tradition, eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day will bring a year's worth of good luck and/or monetary gain, so why not give it a try!? 

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound dry black-eyed peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 62 Ounces of chicken broth (we use our bone broth that we made with bones from chicken eaten earlier in the month)
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) box of diced tomatoes
  • 5 pepperoncini peppers (honestly we didn't add these and my hubby added white vinegar and some crushed red pepper to give it a similar flavor)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Some people add 1/4 cup of bacon, a large ham bone or pork belly to give this dish a smoky yummy flavor
Instructions:
  1. Place black-eyed peas into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let soak at room temperature, 8 hours to overnight. Drain and rinse; set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in broth and water; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in black-eyed peas, ham hocks, tomatoes, pepperoncini, bay leaf, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cover and simmer until peas are tender, ham meat is falling off the bones, and broth is thickened, about 3 hours.



 
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Meet Leah Negrin

 
I am a bold, beautiful, sometimes timid, usually happy, essential oil, nutrition junkie. Although at 39 I feel as if I've had several careers over a lifetime (or at least sometimes when I look back at my resume that is what shines through). I've been a paralegal, an office manager, an administrative assistant, worked in commercial lending and have finally landed on nutrition.

My journey to nutrition started many years ago when my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease and food had to change for the family. From there, along my own health journey I’ve helped people not only figure out what to eat but how to do it so that it can work for them sustainably. For almost seven years I’ve been counseling people on their nutrition and weight loss journeys. 

Finally getting some sunshine in Southern California *Photo credit  Brittany Hassett 

I am knowledgeable about what purpose food serves your body and I focus on finding sustainable options when it comes to food; this also led to my love of essential oils. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop where a registered dietitian spoke about using essential oils in her practice to help her patients. I was floored. I knew that #plantsheal but I didn't realize that others in the 'conventional' medical community thought that as well!! Learning that it was possible to incorporate these magical little bottles gave me a huge sense of hope.


Alina, myself and Caitlin (oily bffs) *Photo credit Anne Negrin

 
As I learned more about these oils I was diagnosed with increased intestinal permeability or as many of us know it, leaky gut. Leaky gut has been around for quite awhile but many of us are just learning what this is or why this is even more common these days than ever before. Many issues can be related to leaky gut including autoimmune diseases. Receiving this diagnosis just led me down a path further to learn about nutrition and how to best serve my body and take care of myself.


Enjoying a vegan ice cream cone in Budapest! *Photo credit to Michelle Owen 

Since birthing our sweet baby boy at home earlier this year I’ve been incredibly passionate about helping other women too who are pregnant and new mothers with their nutrition. Eating healthy for your pregnant body and your postpartum self is a game changer for both mother and baby.

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