My Healthy Valentine

No matter what your relationship status this Valentine’s Day, you can enjoy some of these healthy yet delicious treats and gift ideas. I came up with a list of my favorite romantic treats for you to enjoy on your own or to give as a present to your Valentine. I promise, all of this stuff tastes better than those boxed chocolate-covered cherries you’ll find in the drug store Valentine’s section. Seriously! I hope you indulge in at least one of these healthy treats! I know I will.

1. Raw Chocolate Bars from Gnosis Chocolate. These chocolate bars are delicious, divine, and decadent. I get major cravings for them on a pretty regular basis. Luckily, they’re only a monetary indulgence and not something that sacrifices my health. On the contrary, Gnosis Chocolate bars are extremely good for you because they are made from all natural raw chocolate, superfoods, and herbs. They’re organic, vegan, kosher, and free of dairy and refined sugars. Look out for their special Valentine’s inspired Passion Collection to launch over the next couple of days. I’m all over that Aphrodisia Bar. Plus, check out my blog post reviewing Gnosis Chocolate here.
2. Organic red wine. Most wine stores and even some regular grocery stores are now regularly carrying organic wines. When you buy organic, it means you’ll be enjoying the pure grapes without pesticides. If you don’t know of a local wine store, try out the wine section at your nearest Whole Foods or health food store. You can also buy online at The Organic Wine Company. Can’t decide on one bottle? Pick up a couple and do your own romantic wine tasting.
3. Dessert tray (no utensils needed). Grab a big plate and arrange some fresh fruit to share with your honey in bed or enjoy on your own while you watch a good movie. My favorite fruits to use in this occasion are bananas, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, and raspberries. Cut up into bite-sized pieces ahead of time, and have the tray ready to go when you’re feeling romantic. Serve with champagne and chocolate if you’re feeling extra fancy.
4. Bespoke Chocolates’ Special Treats for February. Bespoke made special chocolates for February including the Pomegranate Lemon Dark Chocolate Hearts and Chili Pepper Dark Chocolate Truffles. I am just drooling at the sight of them! This company is based in NY, but if you’re out of state you can order a box of 9-24 chocolates and have them shipped to you. Don’t delay! Their dark chocolate is high in cocoa content (70% for the truffles).
5. Poached Pears in Pomegranate Sauce. Want to make something special at home? Try this Cookus Interrputus dessert recipe using all natural, whole foods. It has three of my favorite healthy ingredients: pears, honey, and pomegranate juice. Make sure to watch the helpful how-to video! That is one beautiful, sexy-looking dessert!

All the best,
Laurel Moll, H.C., AADP
www.laurelmoll.com

My Healthy Valentine is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Apple Grape Juice Kanten

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring almost to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the flame to medium and stir constantly until the flakes have dissolved, about 10 minutes. Pour the juice into small dessert cups or a shallow bowl. Refrigerate until gelled, about 1 hour.

Grape Juice Kanten

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring almost to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce the flame to medium and stir constantly until the flakes have dissolved, about 10 minutes. Pour the juice into small dessert cups or a shallow bowl. Refrigerate until gelled, about 1 hour.

Beat the Blues with Olive Oil and Mediterranean Diet

Did you know that eating a Mediterranean-style diet can reduce your chances of depression? A recent study from Spain concluded that men and women who ate diets rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, beans, fish, and cereals were 30% less likely to have depression. For one thing, the healthy fats in olive oil, fish, and nuts provide a boost to the serotonin levels in your body. Serotonin is the feel-good hormone released in your nervous system responsible for regulating your mood. You probably know that serotonin is found in your brain, but it’s also found in your digestive system. Serotonin levels are highly affected by your diet. That’s the food-mood connection! Mediterranean Diet foods may also keep the lining of your blood vessels healthy.

Remember that physical activity and stress-relieving activities like meditation and deep breathing exercises are all powerful methods to help you combat stress and depression.

Beat the Blues with Olive Oil and Mediterranean Diet is a post from: Laurel On Health Food

Recipe Share: Butternut Squash – Carrot Ginger Soup

A cool event took place in Harlem last weekend. Graceline Court, a new luxury residential development in Harlem, hosted a New Year’s Resolutions Pop-Up Event with Whole Foods Market and Harlem Yoga Studio.  I have been out of town all week and couldn’t attend the event, but I wanted to share a yummy recipe that Whole Foods’ Chef Ali Smith prepared at the event. The soup contains some wonderful disease-fighting ingredients such as butternut squash, carrot, ginger, and kelp. I’m looking forward to trying out this recipe when I get back into town next week.

Thanks to Nicole and Mediashop PR for sending me the recipe to share with the LOHF readers. We hope you enjoy it!

Ali’s Butternut Squash- Carrot-Ginger Soup

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed and cut into bite-sized chunks
• 6 medium carrots, peeled, cut into bite-sized rounds
• 4-5 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger
• 1 cans coconut milk, light
• 1 can coconut milk, regular
• 4 kaffir lime leaves, if available
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped Thai basil leaves
• Filtered water, at least 4 cups
• Organic olive oil, ¼ cup
• Agave nectar, 1 tablespoon
• Celtic salt, 2 tablespoons or to taste
• 1 tsp granulated kelp or granulated kelp with cayenne (Main Seacoast Brand)

In a stainless soup pot or a LeCreuset-type enamel soup pot (not non-stick); warm enough olive oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pot (2-3 tablespoons olive oil). Add the cubed butternut squash and sauté on medium-low heat until squash starts to soften slightly, around 10 minutes. If squash is sticking, add a little more olive oil Stir frequently! Add minced ginger and sauté another 3 minutes, and then add the carrots and stir/sauté for another 4-5 minutes. Then add enough water just to the top of the squash. Bring to a boil, add the kelp, salt, kaffir lime leaves if you have them, cover and turn down to a low boil for 15-18 minutes (or longer) until the squash is totally soft. Add cans of coconut milk, the agave, stir, remove top and let cool to room temperature. (Can put the entire pot in the freezer to cool down if in a rush).

Remove kaffir lime leaves and begin to blend the mixture in a blender. Make sure to only fill blender 1/3 of the way full, then add a ladle at a time to the blender to make sure contents don’t explode out of the blender. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Once entire batch is blended add chopped Thai basil leaves. Can garnish with sesame salt! You can put it in portion size containers and freeze it if you like.  Enjoy! -Ali

Recipe Share: Butternut Squash – Carrot Ginger Soup is a post from: Laurel On Health Food