Apple Walnut Crepes

Crepes are so easy to make and very versatile. They can be used for sweet or savory meals and light bites. Always make extra crepes, they save well in the refrigerator and will last for days. Believe me, you will be happy you made extra crepes. I use leftovers to fill with fresh fruit, fresh berry jam, lemon & powdered sugar or Nutella. We also love filling leftover crepes with spinach and cheese for a light lunch. 

Simple Crepes

1 cup flour - spooned and leveled
1 tablespoon organic sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups milk
4 eggs
3 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted

In a blender combine all ingredients and puree until mixture is smooth. The batter should be the consistency of heavy cream. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and lightly coat pan with butter or non-stick spray (if necessary).  I used a ceramic skillet, so no butter was needed.

Pour 1/4 cup batter into pan and swirl around the bottom to coat evenly. Cook until the bottom of the crepe is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Loosen edge of crepe with a rubber spatula, then carefully using your fingertips quickly flip. Cook for 1 minute more.  Slide crepe out of skillet and repeat with remaining batter. Makes about 15 small crepes.

Apple Walnut Filling

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 granny smith apples - peeled, cored and cut into cubes
1 tablespoon organic sugar
1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
pinch cinnamon
pinch salt

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples, sugar, walnuts, cinnamon and salt, cook stirring until apples are softened. Apple Walnut filling serves 2 people. 

Mouth watering crepes...perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert!

Bon appetit.

Winter Holiday in New York

Last weekend I went to New York City with my family. Such a treat during the holidays because they go all out and make the city a winter wonderland. The first night we walked over to Rockefeller Center and arrived just in time to see the 3D holiday light show that is projected on the side of the Saks Fifth Avenue building. 

The show plays every 15 minutes and runs every night throughout the holiday season. This year’s show is about the Snowflake and the Yeti. The technology of the light show maps the building details to create a vivid 3D projection, which can appear to change the store’s outdoor features. It was a fun and enchanting moment.

My favorite place in NYC is Central Park. What a magical place nestled in the middle of this huge and diverse city. We have nothing like this in Los Angeles.

Macy's is the world largest store, or at least that's what their sign says, however, I believe it. There were a million people (approximately) inside. Macy's has 9 floors and every one of them is packed full of energetic shoppers. I didn't see any signs of a recession in Manhattan. 

If Macy's is the world largest store, then I'm guessing these are the worlds largest Christmas lights? We walked by this display somewhere near Rockefeller Center.

There was so much more I wanted to see while in New York, but it's impossible to do it all in just a few days.  To be continued NYC...

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Holiday Season!

Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet Potato Hash

2-3 sweet potatoes - peeled and chopped into 1/2" cubes

1/2 (each) red, orange and yellow bell peppers - chopped

1/2 red onion - chopped

2-3 vegetarian sausage patties - or 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup vegetable broth

Garlic, minced

Fresh sage

Fresh thyme

Red pepper flakes

Olive oil

Salt + pepper

2-4 eggs 

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet and cook vegetarian sausage patties until browned on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same skillet add 1-2 more tablespoons of olive oil and add sweet potatoes and vegetable broth. Sprinkle with fresh ground sea salt & pepper and 1 leaf of fresh sage. I tore my sage leaf into pieces. Cover sweet potatoes and cook on medium for about 15 minutes, stirring often. 

When potatoes are fork tender add the chopped peppers, onion, minced garlic, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes and more salt & pepper to taste. Turn up heat slightly so the potatoes can get a little crispy. When hash is almost done add the crumbled or chopped vegetarian sausage.

Fry your eggs in some olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and place on top of a pile of sweet potato hash. 

Enjoy!

Brown Bag It - How To Store Your Mushrooms

Mushrooms are nutritious and versatile, we eat them almost everyday in our home. They are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol free, gluten free, low in sodium, and they provide important nutrients, including selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D and more.

The best way to store your mushrooms to preserve their life is in a brown paper bag. I've been doing this for years and it extends the life of the mushroom by days.

Most people don't realize that consuming spoiled mushrooms can make you very ill. Like all foods, mushrooms can go bad. No matter the variety, it is important to learn the signs that a mushroom has spoiled. 

Look over the mushroom for spots. Patches begin to emerge in shades of dark brown and black when mushrooms are no longer fit for consumption.

Feel the mushrooms for a slimy coating. The top part, also known as the head of the mushroom, is predominately where symptoms of spoilage occur.

Smell the mushrooms for an odor that indicates spoilage. If mushrooms have a smell different than an earthy, natural aroma, throw them away.

Flip a mushroom over and look at the gills. Closed gills indicate mushrooms are young, while open gills signify that mushrooms are older. If the mushroom has shriveled or wet gills, they have spoiled.

Avoid keeping mushrooms in the vegetable drawer in your refrigerator. The vegetable drawer is designed to hold in humidity. Mushrooms will spoil more quickly in humid conditions. Place mushrooms in a brown paper bag and store them between 32 and 36 degrees F.

Quick Mushroom Snacks:

Use raw white button mushrooms. Remove the mushrooms stems and fill with one of the following stuffing's.

Pesto
Hummus
Spinach Dip

Guacamole

Cream Cheese + Salsa

Enjoy!

Make My Day SunCafe

Few things make me giddy. Lunch is one of those things. Okay dinner and dessert too, but you get what I'm saying. 

Most days I drive into Studio City to visit my customers and take them to lunch. Tough job right? Studio City's rapidly growing restaurant row offers many great dining options, but there is one tiny place that is a personal healthy favorite. SunCafe, is an organic, raw food, vegan restaurant.  

I always order the same thing, Biscuits & Gravy and a Pineapple Superfood Shake. Mmmm. So delicious. The Biscuits & Gravy are open-faced whole wheat sliders, with massaged spinach, garlic cauliflower mash, mushroom gravy and a SunChorizo topper.  Really fantastic.

The Pineapple Superfood Shake is made with pineapple, goji, coconut, cashew, and agave. The shake is raw and unbelievable!  

If you were talking to me in person, I would grab your arm to emphasize my delight. Whenever I leave this cafe I always feel happy, nourished and balanced.  

SunCafe also offers classes and raw juice fast cleanse/detox programs.

Here is a link to their site - Sun Cafe

To our health!

My Daily Flu Shot

Winter is approaching and it is important to boost your immune system to avoid getting sick. I believe the best thing one can do to ward off the dreaded cold, is to supplement your body with green plants and vegetables. The optimal way to do this is to drink fresh pressed vegetable juices. The human body is complex and has the power to heal itself if given the right nutrients. Green foods are perhaps the most healing foods on the planet, and the single most important addition to a diet you can make. Green foods are better than a flu shot!

A year ago I went to my health food store and asked them if they had anything I could mix with water that would deliver green nutrients when I didn't have time to juice. Hands down all the employees recommended Vitamineral Green by HealthForce SuperFoods, so I purchased a bottle and have become an unofficial advocate for this powdered green "gold". 

I mix a teaspoon into a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning with a smile. On the label there is a statement that I have embraced whole heartily, "drink consciously and with positive intent". 

My entire family now drinks it. My sister even mixes it into smoothies for her kids.

Here is a link to the product - Vitamineral Green. 

To our health!