Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Adzuki Bean Burrito with Avocado and Pineapple

     Why is the cure rate for cancer only 3%?  Why do they not at least use a combination of alternative medicine and traditional treatments?  Why?  Because then there would be no profits like there are today.  Chemotherapy is a huge money maker.  Radiation is a huge money maker.  And then to use natural resources from mother nature that cost a fraction of the price would turn the medical industry and pharmaceutical  industry upside down.  They are to powerful to let this happen.
     But you can now investigate, study, research and locate alternative solutions online using the internet.  A friend of mine sent me this link yesterday;  http://www.cancertutor.com/  A fantastic site with loads of information.  They talk about the corrupt system. The FDA, the AMA, Pharma, the media, etc... all in the business for making money and not for curing cancer. But most importantly they speak about ways in curing cancer naturally. The site is packed with information about all kinds of natural cures for diseases.  A fantastic site that has many links as well.
    Today my recipe includes Azuki beans or aduki or adzuki which ever you prefer.  These beans are heavily consumed in Asia and date back to 4000BC,  Say What?  They are used in a lot of sweets and desserts.  But I am using them for a Mexican Adzuki Bean Burrito with Avocado and Pineapple.

Why it's good for you!
Adzuki Beans  Adzuki beans are a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc copper, manganese and B vitamins. As a high-potassium, low-sodium food they can help reduce blood pressure and act as a natural diuretic.  They are low in calories but high in nutrients.  When combined with grains, beans supply high quality protein, which provides a healthy alternative to meat or other animal protein.
      Like most beans, adzuki beans are rich in soluble fibre. This type of fibre provides bulk to the stool and binds to toxins and cholesterol aiding in their elimination from the body.  In Japan adzuki beans are known for their healing properties and are used to support kidney and bladder function.
Avocado  Avocados are loaded with monounsaturated fats.   They also have a high fiber content as well.  They are rich in Vitamins B, E and K and have a large amount of potassium.  The avocado is under research for its potential anticancer properties.
 Pineapple Mainly from its stem, pineapple contains a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, which breaks down protein.  It also contains the B vitamins and vitamin C plus manganese.
fresh from the garden
with friend onion and carrot


soaked

Great colors


Great flavors

Hey!  Where did that Chihuahua come from?

Awww  You want my burrito don't you? 
Adzuki Bean Burrito with Avocado and Pineapple
by Jeff Harter
Prep Time: 1/2 hour
Cook Time: 2 hours
Keywords: low-carb low-sodium nut-free soy-free sugar-free vegan vegetarian adzuki beans


Healthy and delicious burrito. !00% al natural. This could be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner any time of the year.
Ingredients (4 burritos)
Adzuki Beans
  • 1 cup adzuki beans soaked over night
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 carrot chopped
  • 1 red pepper chopped
  • 1green pepper chopped
  • 1 eggplant chopped
  • 1 garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp spicy smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 quart cold water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Burrito
  • 4Tortillas
  • 2 avocado peeled and diced
  • 1/4 pineapple peeled and diced
  • green onion or chives minced
  • parsley leaf or lettuce (optional)
Instructions
Beans
  • Soak the beans overnight then strain.
  • Place a large pot over medium flame and add olive oil.
  • When hot add onion, carrot, peppers, eggplant and garlic.
  • Saute for about 10 minutes then add cumin, chilli, turmeric, paprika, oregano and bay leaf and saute another 5 minutes then add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer and cook for 1 - 2 hours depending on beans. You might have to add more water but you want this nice and thick for the burritos. Add salt and pepper at very end.
Burrito
  • Lay the tortillas on 4 plates.
  • Put a big spoonful of beans on the center of each tortilla.
  • Then avocado, pineapple, chives and whatever else you would like.
  • Then roll up the tortilla to form a burrito and eat with both hands.
For more great recipes visit


Friday, September 28, 2012

Asian Onion and Lentil Soup with Seaweed and Shitake Mushrooms

     You are what you eat and you eat what you are.  For whatever reason we have gotten away from eating foods that are alive.  The more foods you eat that are alive the more you will be alive.  Easier said than done right.  It is easier said than done because in our busy society everyone just picks up a burger, a bag of chips, a pastry, sandwich, taco, whatever and away you go.  You fill up for gas and want a bite of something.  There ain't no apple, carrot, fresh smoothie lying there on the counter waiting for you to pick it up.  Hell no.  But you got your chips, ice cream, candy bar, coke and microwave burrito just sitting there looking pretty.  So you grab it and away you go.  And that is why America is so unhealthy.  Over 50% of Americans will have heart disease or cancer.  And I believe the reason for this is the American diet.
     Something the majority of people do not even consider about health is the pH factor.  Your body wants to be slightly more alkaline than neutral. Your body is always working to get rid of acidic waste.  Some foods actually contain acids or alkalis (soluble salts) and other foods create acidity or alkalinity in the body when combined with juices and digestive acids.  A diet rich in alkali-forming foods is a key to ongoing good health.  These foods help with detoxification of the body.
     A huge problem right now in the USA is that more and more women are being diagnosed with osteoporosis.  The doctors give them a calcium supplement and tell them to eat more dairy products.  The problem being that dairy is acid forming and the body tries to correct this by pulling salts from the bones in an attempt to alkalinize blood that has become chronically acid.  The bones start to dissolve because the blood is already acidic and then dairy, an acid-forming food is prescribed as a treatment.  And then for the calcium to be absorbed in the bones the body must have sufficient amounts of vitamin D but a test for vitamin D is usually not ordered.  The doctors need to find the source of the problem then fix it.  So for this case it would be to test for an acidity and the first response should be a life building procedure not a life threatening treatment.
     But hey I am just a cook who reads a lot, an awful lot.  And just about everything I tell you I get from the internet or from books.  So when you do become sick, read, read, read until you find your cause and your cure.  So when you visit your health care professional you have knowledge about your own illness.  And then you can decide if their cure coincides with yours.
     One of the best ways to eliminate illness is by eating healthy.  And this delicious Warm Asian Onion and Lentil Soup I made yesterday will pump your body full of minerals and vitamins to make it just that much harder for illness to occur.  This soup is a great autumn dish that will warm your body through and through.

Why it's good for you!
Onions  They contain chemicl compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer and antioxidant properties, such as quercetin. 
Lentils  They are high in protein. If mixed with rice becomes a complete protein.  They contain vitamin B1, iron and dietary fiber.  They have enzymes as well.
Kombu  It contains dietary fiber and a good source of iodine.  Iodine is an important mineral for the thyroid gland to function properly.
Wakame  Is a high source of calcium, iodine, thiamine, niacin and Omega-3 fatty acid.  It also has a compound called fucoxanthin which helps burn fatty tissue.
Shitake Mushrooms  Contain dietary fiber, protein, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, D and iron.







Asian Onion and Lentil Soup with Seaweed and Shitake Mushrooms
by Jeff Harter
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 2 hours
Keywords: appetizer soup/stew gluten-free low-carb sugar-free vegan vegetarian kombu wakame onions shitake


From our garden we have tons of onions that need attention. The onions are the real star of this dish. You slowly cook them for about 45 minutes until they are just starting to turn brown.
Ingredients (serves 8)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 large onions, peeled, halved, sliced thinly
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 8 cups vegetable stock or water
  • 1 cup lentils
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 nora pepper, cut in half(dried smoked pepper of any kind)
  • a bit of dried spicy pepper (how hot do you want it)
  • 8 dried shitake mushrooms
  • 1 piece kombu
  • 1/4 cup wakame
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp miso
  • 1 tsp sesame seed oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  • Place a large sauce pan over medium heat add olive oil and heat for 2 minutes while slicing the onions. When oil is hot add the onions and cook over medium heat for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes when just starting to brown. Then add tomato paste and cook another 5 minutes stirring frequently. Then add vegi stock or water, lentils, bay leaf, nora (dried pepper), spicy pepper if using and bring to a boil and let simmer for about 1 hour or until lentils are soft. When lentils are soft then add the rest of the ingredients and stir well then let stand for 1/2 hour. Take out shitake mushrooms and slice and throw back in. Take out kombu and do the same thing or omit. Reheat slightly and serve. Can be served with freshly sliced green onions.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Vegan Papaya Smoothie

     When our bodies age we have a more difficult time fighting free radicals.  Especially now when the majority of us are taking some kind of prescription medication.  And not to mention all the toxins that are in our bodies due to the toxic environment in which we live today.  Whether it be from that coffee you had this morning or that glass of wine last night.  Or that burger and fries with a coke.  Or what about that nice clean starched shirt from the cleaners.  Toxins are everywhere we turn.  That waxed apple you ate on your way to work.  Unfortunately, that apple has been sprayed then waxed so all that washing you do won't take those pesticides away.
     But how do we fight those free radicals?  We fight them with antioxidants.  And where is the best place to get antioxidants?  From fresh fruits and vegetable.  Only one problem.  The majority of fruits and vegetable we by at the supermarket are from huge mega farmers that plant in soils that have been taxed for all there minerals and nutrients years ago.  That means that the vegetables we eat today only contain a small portion of those antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.  The meat and fish we eat today
do not eat what they should be eating.  Cows should be eating grass and then we would get sufficient omega-3 from them but they aren't, so we don't.  The farmed fish eat corn and whatever else and they also do not contain the important omega-3.  Instead when we eat these farmed animals we obtain omega-6 instead of omega-3
     So the most important step you can do to solve this dilemma is to grow your own fruits and vegetables and raise your own farm animals or buy organic and local if possible.  And eat as much as you can according to the seasons.
     Do you know that most Americans will experience some symptoms of chronic disease in their lifetime.  These are the diseases that cost so many so much suffering and money.  For these chronic aliments and there symptoms, modern medicine has little to offer.  Sure they will cut you open and repair it for now.  Sure they will offer you a little wonder drug that you take the rest of your life.  But when they do those things they will not talk about the long term effects that these remedies have on your health.
     They fix the problem ( for now) but they don't fix the why.  The body has the natural ability to repair and heal itself.  And when if can't then there is a problem.  So when the body can't do this then the cells are not functioning properly or the chemical reaction needed is not occurring or the body lacks ingredients for this process to occur.
     Over time our bodies accumulate toxins and allows our bodies to produce more free radicals.  Because of our toxic bodies and consuming fewer antioxidants it is know wonder more and more people are becoming ill.
     Another factor to consider is a the bodies alkaline level.  A healthy human body prefers to have a higher PH level than acidic lever.  A more acidic body in unhealthy and makes it easier to become ill. But a lot of things we put in our bodies makes our bodies more acidic.  For example; alcohol, coffee, meat, chicken, processed foods, etc...  Fresh fruits and vegetables on the other hand helps balance that out.
      One of the best ways to start the day and to make sure my body is getting a sufficient amount of antioxidants to fight off free radicals is by having a fresh homemade smoothie every morning for breakfast.  This morning I made a papaya smoothy with the papaya seed included.  The seeds are good for fighting off intestinal parasites.  Try it you'll like it.
Lemons from our tree


Papaya Smoothie
by Jeff Harter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Keywords: blender beverage breakfast dessert snack


Pump up your antioxidants with this outrageous smoothie. Papaya seed are good for cleaning out parasites in the intestines.
Ingredients (serves 2)
  • Juice of 2 medium oranges
  • 1 cup papaya peeled and chopped
  • 2 tbsp papaya seeds
  • 1 sliced banana
  • 1 sliced peach
  • 1 carrot peeled and chopped
  • 4 ice cubes
Instructions
  • Throw it all in your blender and blend 2-3 minutes.
  • Enjoy!