WHOLE FOOD ALCHEMYST HEALTH SOURCE

Finally, a chocolate pudding that does not contain avocado, banana or coconut flesh. After searching the internet, perusing several websites with inventive ways to create a veganish-vegetarianish chocolate pudding, I discovered one recipe that was closest to what my mind had imagined as a healthy version of this chocolate delight.  On the site, The Vegan 8, recipe guru Brandi, has created all kinds of updated versions of favorite desserts.  My creation is Brandi's version of Vegan Mexican Chocolate Sweet Potato Pudding with a few minor changes and it is fantastic ( http://thevegan8.com )!  My basic chocolate pudding varies somewhat as I wanted to use different quantities, sweeteners and milks, and leave out the cayenne:   2 cups packed, cooked, cooled, organic sweet potatoes (baked at 400 degrees for an hour or so) 2/3 cup organic cashew milk (mine was homemade, but you can use store bought) 6 T. Organic Divine Raw Cacao powder  1 T. organic ...

It is pretty chilly all over, states who normally have delightful weather this time of the year are experiencing the chill.  Warm up with some nutritious Hippocrates soup.  I have included two links, one with the recipe, and another with a video. http://juicing-for-health.com/hippocrates-soup.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEWMw6nP-QU Image credit: http://www.365toawesome.com/

Delicious Mediterranean Diet is one of the top choices for 2019!  Read it and eat! https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/01/03/575181390/from-vegan-to-keto-and-mediterranean-experts-rank-2018s-best-diets

I posted about this previously, but now I have some information to share. I tasted this product at the Natural Products Expo West last week and it is very good for a packaged, frozen product.  Although I do not normally eat rice-based or packaged pizza products it will work great for those who don't have a sensitivity to rice-based products. They make some pizzas with toppings, but I suggest buying the plain crusts and adding your own favorites. Finally, the ingredients: Cauliflower, brown rice flour, corn starch, water, tapioca, sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, egg, xanthan gum, yeast, salt, vinegar, baking powder. CONTAINS: Eggs If you have the time, make your own cauliflower crust, it is super easy (recipes are all over the internet). If you do not have the time and want to eat a better version of ready-made pizzas, this is your product. You can buy it online or search their where to purchase link on their website, but I imagine it will be showing up at your nat...

What a fantastic idea! Great fun for children and adults alike, plus with Fourth of July just around the corner, these firecrackers will jazz up any summer holiday event.  Find instructions at: http://www.forkandbeans.com/2017/05/26/firecracker-fruit-kabobs/ All copyright images reserved by www.forkandbeans.com

At the Natural Food Products Expo last week, I sampled Daiya Foods new and improved mozarella and cheddar style cheese shreds...and they indeed are improved.  They have a better cheese-style texture and mouth-feel with the flavors seemingly more intensified.  In the past, I always combined a smidge of real cheese to enhance the flavor, texture, and mouth feel, which is no longer necessary with the new improved versions of the Daiya Shreds.  This is a great addition for plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian eaters to satisfy their cheesy cravings.  Perfect for pizza, vegan lasagnas, and much, much more! Link to the Daiya Foods site: http://daiyafoods.com/our-foods/shreds/mozzarella   Image via Daiya Foods site.  All rights reserved by Daiya Foods.

Beyond Meat is a a meat-substitute that is the real deal when it comes to delivering a product similar to beef (I have only tried one product thus far...and I am hooked).  Not only does it look like beef, but BEYOND BEEF has nailed the visual look and mouth-feel texture of beef; it is a plant-based pea protein that is free of soy and gluten, as well as relatively free of whacky food additives. Beyond Meat also has chicken substitutes, beef crumbles (my first product), and Beast Burgers, all of which are non-GMO pea protein (or in some products soy) and 100% plant-based.  I cannot wait to try it in my homemade spaghetti sauce, of course, I will have to write another post suggesting the best gluten-free pasta choices and/or substitutes around.  They also offer a 1.00 off coupon on their website: http://beyondmeat.com/products http://beyondmeat.com/products

One of my favorites is from the fabulous Young On Raw Food website, where Mimi Kirk demonstrates and lives a life of raw health and fun.  She graciously has shared several raw recipes to help the novice or expand an experienced vegan/vegetarian's recipe box.  Make and enjoy her delicious recipe for chia pudding - the perfect summer time treat. http://youngonrawfood.com/raw-chia-pudding-recipe/

If you have a busy life like I do, making Gluten-free Oat Breakfast night before is a big time saver in the morning.  I borrowed this recipe from the Food Matters website, making a few substitutions/suggestions in brackets following an ingredient.    Base Ingredients: 1/2 cup quick cooking oats [I use Country Choice Organic, Non-GMO, GF, Old Fashioned.] 1/2 cup coconut milk or coconut water  [If you are counting calories, go with the water.] 1/4 cup frozen blueberries [I use organic or wild grown.] 1 tbsp desiccated coconut [I use unsweetened.] 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp coconut sugar [I use organic agave, organic stevia, or nothing at all.] Optional: 1 tbsp Food Matters Superfood Protein   1 tsp chia seeds Toppings: Add extra coconut, blueberries and/or chia seeds to serve Recipe and photo credits via: http://foodmatters.tv/content/how-to-overnight-oats-3-ways Fresh, nutritious, and very simple. Now, change it up using your own favorite...

Plenty of cold-pressed raw juices have exploded onto the market over the past four or five years, but are they really raw?  The following article explains what the cold-pressed process is and provides information referencing what to look for on the labels. http://dailyburn.com/life/health/the-truth-about-hpp-juice-labels/ All image rights reserved www.wholefoodalchemyst.com.

In case you have been living under a rock, we are officially in a drought in California.  Here is an interesting and short article to help you make vital changes in your eating habits...no matter where you live.  Change your dietary habits, get healthy, and help change our world for the better.  Link to article: http://www.forksoverknives.com/california-water-crisis-drought/ Image via forksoverknives.com

Recently I discovered this very interesting new protein bar, not only does it not taste like a sugar-fest (only 2 g sugar), but it packs 15 grams of plant-based proteins...gluten-free too.  Normally, I don't eat peanuts but this bar hits the perfect mark for on my palate - integrating it into my pantry as the ideal go-to craving bar NOW.  They also have other flavors that include chocolate, but I am sticking with this Creamy Peanut Butter & Sea Salt dream. http://shop.rawrev.com/product-p/glocreamypeanutbutterbar.htm