Monday, November 29, 2010

Meatless Monday: Vegetable Egg Rolls

Ingredients

2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
1 cup julienne carrots
1 cup julienne snow peas
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 cup soy sauce
8 egg roll wrappers
Peanut oil, for deep frying
1/4 cup dry mustard
1/4 cup water
Cilantro leaves, garnish

Directions

In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the sesame and canola oil. Saute cabbage for 2 minutes. Add carrots and snow peas. Cook an additional 1 minute.
Whisk together cornstarch and soy sauce until smooth. Stir into vegetable mixture. Cook until sauce comes to a boil and is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
Lay the egg roll skins on a flat surface and lightly brush edges with water. Place 1/8 of the filling at one end of each skin, leaving a 1/4-inch border at the top and sides. Roll wrapper over filling, tucking in the ends after the first roll.
Heat 3-inches of peanut oil in a large, deep saucepan. When the oil is hot, about 350 degrees F, fry the egg rolls until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer and drain on paper towels. 
To serve, slice each egg roll in half, diagonally and place on each serving plate. Combine dry mustard with water. Drizzle each egg roll with the hot mustard. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

Note: Add some fresh ginger and/or garlic for a little kick! Also, these egg rolls can be baked on 350° until golden brown if you prefer.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving Love from HHM!

For those of you who do not receive our e-newsletter, we thought that we would share with you some awesome recipes and tips for the holidays! We hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving with family, friends or even some peace and quiet by yourself!

First and foremost:

8 Ways to Enjoy a Green Thanksgiving This Year

Also pretty important:

Holiday Dinner Wine Pairings

Delicious recipes...

Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts
Rosemary-Roasted Seasonal Root Veggies
No Sugar Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Dill Deviled Eggs
Sweet Potato Trifle

It is not too late to get your free-range turkey; we have many sizes! Our turkeys have been treated humanely, have never been fed animal by-products and are free of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and additives! We have gluten-free turkeys available as well! Check out our blog for more information and prices. Free-range turkeys tend to cook differently than conventional turkeys, so make sure that you are prepared! And when the big day is over and there is still tons of turkey left, we have an extensive list of recipes to help you eat that turkey up!

How to Prepare, Cook and Serve Your Free-Range Turkey
Leftover Turkey Recipes

For those of you on gluten-free diets or those entertaining gluten-free guests, no need to fear! Thanksgiving does not have to taste or feel any different!

Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu with Recipes

And after all of the sweet potato casseroles, pumpkin rolls, pecan pies, spiced nuts, cookies, apple cider, cocktails and wine...it is definitely...

Time for a Sugar Detox!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Healthy Home Blog Does Meatless Monday!

Here at Healthy Home Market, we support the Meatless Monday movement. For those of you who don't know, Meatless Monday is an initiative to reduce the planet's meat consumption by 15% in order to improve the health of participants and the health of the planet. Going meatless, even just once a week, may reduce your risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It will also reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuels. The movement was actually started during World War I to aid the war effort and it was recreated in 2003 as a public health awareness program. Since its recreation, many individuals, small businesses, corporations, restaurants, schools, universities and hospitals have pledged to go meatless every Monday. In honor of this initiative, we will post a different delicious, completely meatless recipe every Monday! Will you pledge to go meatless one day a week?

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 (10 inch) flour tortillas
4 ounces herbed goat cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Directions

1.Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cook the asparagus, stirring occasionally, until tender and lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from heat.
2.Spread one side of each tortilla with 1/2 the goat cheese. Place 1/2 the asparagus and 1/2 the cilantro on each tortilla, and fold tortillas in half over contents to form quesadillas. Brush the outsides of the quesadillas with remaining oil.
3.Place the quesadillas in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cook 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Cut in half and garnish with cilantro to serve.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Kale: It's What's for Dinner!

Kale is one of the more important superfoods as it is so nutritionally dense. Kale is chock full of fiber and protein, as well as, vitamin A, vitamin C, B6, manganese, calcium, copper, iron and potassium, plus its low in carbohydrates! It belongs to the same plant family as the sulfur-containing vegetables broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and collard greens. The ten to fifteen organosulphur compounds these superfood vegetables contain have been proven to be highly effective against many cancers, including stomach cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Kale also contains carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health. The phytochemical, indole-3-carbinol in Kale helps fight against LDL cholesterol and also belly fat.

The health benefits of kale are numerous and thankfully its delicious as well. Kale can be added to soups and casseroles, baked to make kale chips, juiced or added to smoothies, sauteed in olive oil, marinated to be eaten raw and so much more, the possibilities are practically endless. However, if you or someone in your family is not so keen on greens or are new to eating them, making pesto is a delicious way to enjoy Kale and reap the benefits of its life giving health properties, without being so intimidating. The recipe below can be tossed with pasta or potatoes, used on pizza or sandwiches, eaten with pita wedges, whatever your pallet desires! Note: you can substitute any type of nut for the walnuts and vegan cheese or no cheese for the parmesan. Lemon is also a nice addition. We would love to hear you favorite kale recipes! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 garlic cloves
1/2 lb kale, without stems
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 T salt

Directions:

1. Toast walnuts over high heat until fragrant. Set aside.
2. Bring 2 cups water to boil. Add kale and 1T salt. Cook about 15 minutes, or until tender.
3. Drain kale. Add to food processor with garlic and walnuts.
4. While processing, slowly add olive oil until smoothly pureed.
5. Add Parmesan.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Behold: The Amazing Garlic Clove!

We all know that garlic can add wonderful flavor to just about any meal, but it is so much more than just a spice. Garlic has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug" and with cold and flu season upon us, we all may need to up our intake!

Which brings us to garlic's first health benefit, it is a powerful immune booster. Garlic is a health-building herb, rich in potassium, zinc, vitamins A and C and selenium. It also contains sulfur, calcium, manganese, copper, vitamin B1 and iron. And it does not destroy our bodies good bacteria like antibiotics do. It is an anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial. Garlic can be used against infection of all types including upper respiratory tract infections such as colds, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc., ear infections - can be treated by placing garlic oil on a piece of cotton wool in the ear (you need to be sure that the ear drum is intact before doing this - if in doubt seek professional assistance), tooth infections, candida (yeast) infections, herpes infections (including chicken pox), and urinary tract infections. It has also been proven successful in the healing of acne, wart removal and pain relief, as it is anti-inflammatory as well.

Garlic is also used in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and can be beneficial to people with diabetes because it tones the heart and circulatory system, helps to lower the blood pressure, reduces high cholesterol and blood fats, reduces high blood sugar levels, reduces blood clotting abnormalities, and helps to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by inhibiting at least two enzymes involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver.
 
Garlic is also full of powerful antioxidants, which decrease the amount of free radicals in our system. Free Radicals can enter our body through our own habits, but also due to environmental factors and can cause damage to cells and DNA, which can compromise our immunity and lead to diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and leukemia. Therefore, a diet rich in antioxidants is important for all of us!

Raw garlic is the most potent form, offering the most health benefits, however there is that strong odor that comes along with it. Capsules are also available, some even in combination with other herbs targeting specific conditions. And of course, cooking with garlic is tasty and healthy, just be careful not to overdo it. The longer it cooks, the less beneficial it is. However you consume it, garlic is truly an amazing herb!

The information available in this blog is for your personal reference only. Healthy Home Market is not engaged in rendering medical advice. Information available in this blog should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Nor should the information replace the advice of your doctor or health care practitioner. Always see your practitioner concerning your treatment options if suffering from an illness or injuries resulting from an accident.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Time for Holiday Pre-Orders!

We are accepting pre-orders for the holidays! Place an order today and pay when you pick it up, at your convenience! Just call your preferred location and ask to speak with a store manager; it's that easy! We source our all natural, free-range turkeys from Grateful Harvest and Mary's so can you can be assured that the turkeys have been treated humanely, have never been fed animal by-products and are free of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and additives! And Mary's turkeys are Gluten-Free! We will even smoke the turkey for you! Not a fan of turkey? We are also offering Ham, Prime Rib, Vegan Celebration Roasts and Vegan Turkey Dinners, as well as holiday dinner sides. 


Whole Fresh Turkey..........$2.39 lb.
Smoked Turkey..........$2.99 lb.
Whole Frozen Turkey..........$1.99 lb.
Turkey Breast..........$3.59 lb.
Spiral Ham..........$5.99 lb.
Prime Rib..........$9.99 lb.
Vegan Celebration Roast..........$24.99 ea.
Vegan Turkey Dinner..........$39.99 ea.
 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

We Have New Crop Pecans!

They're here! We have received our shipment of fresh new crop pecans from Georgia and they're only $7.99 per pound! Pecans were a little harder to come by this year, so they may go faster than usual. Don't miss out...pecans are a fall and holiday season staple, not to mention nutritionally abundant and cholesterol free. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that they may actually lower LDL cholesterol! Pecans are chock full of thiamine, copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, selenium, fiber and healthy fats, as well as antioxidants. Antioxidants which can help protect against cell damage and help fight diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. Plus, they're beneficial to your immune system, prostate health and weight loss. Pecans are also extremely versatile and can be used in savory or sweet recipes; here is one that we particularly like:

Ingredients

3/4 cup raisins
3 tablespoons bourbon, such as Makers Mark
3/4 cup white basmati rice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
5 cups half-and-half, divided
1/2 cup natural sugar
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup pure maple syrup, plus extra for serving (optional)
1/2 teaspoon natural maple flavoring
3/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the raisins and bourbon. Set aside.
Combine the rice and salt with 1 1/2 cups water in a medium heavy-bottomed stainless steel saucepan. Bring it to a boil, stir once, and simmer, covered, on the lowest heat for 8 to 9 minutes, until most of the water is absorbed. (If your stove is very hot, pull the pan halfway off the burner.)
Stir in 4 cups of half-and-half and the sugar and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the rice is very soft and the pudding is thick. Stir often, particularly toward the end. Slowly stir in the beaten egg and continue to cook for 1 minute. Off the heat, add the remaining cup of half-and-half, the vanilla, maple syrup, maple flavoring, and the raisins with any remaining bourbon. Stir well. Pour into a bowl, and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Cool slightly, add the pecans, and serve warm or chilled. Drizzle each serving with extra maple syrup, if desired.