Quickie Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

Quickie Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

I first heard about  Kelp Noodles and thought of the green/brown slimy plants that litter the beach and get tangled in your legs at the ocean. Frankly they didn't sound appetizing at all. I found a package of them in the refrigerater section of my local Whole Foods and in actuality they looked much better than what I had imagined. The only ingredients are; water, kelp, and sodium alginate. They are advertised as mineral rich, low in carbs and calories (just 1 carb and 6 calories per serving), and free of allergens. 

They were super easy to prepare and I really liked them. They were not slimy but an "al dente" texture and neutral in flavor so that the spices in my dish really stood out. I will definitely buy them again and I have several ideas for dishes they would work well in. I would not suggest them in an Italian type dish but instead any kind of oriental dish.

Quickie Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

2 T. toasted sesame oil

1 1/2 c. cube chicken breast

1/2 c. chicken broth

3/4 tsp. garlic puree

1/2 tsp. ginger puree

2 c. frozen stir fry style vegetables

1 package Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles (12 oz)

slice green onion

sesame seed

oriental style hot sauce

Method:

1. Heat sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan until hot. Add chicken, garlic, ginger and broth. Let cook, stirring occasionally till chicken is done, about 5 minutes.

2.  Add vegetables and continue cooking till warmed through, about 3 minutes.

3. Add noodles and as they warm break up with tongs. Continue heating till dish is warmed.

4. Divide noodles between serving dishes and garnish with green onion, sesame seed and hot sauce.

 

After years of searching...

For years I have been looking for a reliable deodorant that works. I mean literally years, hundreds of dollars and many, many products later I reluctantly purchased yet another product to try. Honestly it was the packaging that got me, it was so different and the name so unique I had hopes the product would be different too.

"Pit Putty" is an organic blend of coconut oil and arrowroot powder with some awesome scents such as Geranioum/Lime, Lemon/Clove, Spearmint/Tea Tree and Lemongrass/Rosemary

I found it at Whole Foods but the company has an online and retail store too. Check out their website here, and look for them in your area.

Artisan Romaine

I found this lettuce by accident. I was shopping at Costco last week, and well, you know how it is, you just end up buying a bulk amount of something you aren't even sure what it is. This time my impulse buy turned out to be a gold mine!

This "artisan lettuce" is a tight little bundle of romaine, just perfect for wraps and dips. The company even has a web site with recipes! Check it out here.

I made tacos using the lettuce instead of tortillas, it turned out great. The leaves are just the right size for eating with your hands and they are sturdy enough to stuff full. I highly recommend this lettuce!

 

Bountiful Baskets

I live in a small town, a really small town. 1 grocery store, 2 stoplights and 3 gas stations. I usually travel to the "big city" every 4-6 weeks to stock up on supplies and visit my favorite Indian restaurant. I didn't always live this way and it was a bit of an adjustment, making lifestyle choices involves choosing something to have and by default something to leave behind. Convenience is the price I pay for my small town life.

So a few months ago my sister, who lives in the big city, told me about Bountiful Baskets. I loved the idea and said I wish I could participate somehow but because I live in such a small place I didn't think I could. I was so surprised when I looked up pick up locations and saw that my little town was listed. It has been a fruit and vegetable smorgasbord ever since.

Bountiful Baskets is a volunteer run food co-op available in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. This is how it works, you go online at the beginning of the week and donate towards a "basket" which is 50% fruit and 50% vegetables. The standard donation is $15.00, organic baskets are $25.00 and there is a first time fee of $3.00. The following Saturday I pick up my basket at the designated location and time. There are opportunities to volunteer and there are seasonal extras you can order too, the "guacamole pack" I ordered in February was fantastic. The price is always the same but the basket includes different items each week. I believe each state is different, but I can order fresh whole wheat bread, cases of oranges or pears, and granola right now. I have been ordering every other week and the produce has stayed fresh. We are loving it!

The following was included in my most recent basket:

1 large head romaine lettuce
6 oranges
2 apples
1 medium watermelon
1 quart strawberries
3 tomatoes
2 mangoes
3 large zucchini
2 green bell peppers
2 bunches asparagus
1 lb green beans
7 bananas

What a deal! $15.00 for all of that!

Check Bountiful Baskets to see if they are available in your area, I bet they are.

Coconut Cream

I recently discovered Coconut Cream, also called Coconut Butter. I have been using it as a spread on bread and muffins, sometimes I mix it with honey, but more often I just warm a little up and use it plain. It is fairly expensive but a little goes a long way. This is the brand I found at my local health food store (Real Foods Market). The ingredient list says 100% organic raw coconut and that is all! It is not sweet but has a particular texture I think will lend itself well to many recipes. I plan on trying this fudge from Joyful Abode next. What are your favorite coconut cream recipes? Please share.

Totoka Mata Face Paste- One of My Favorite Products

O.K. first off I hate marketing that uses friendships and connections to sell a product. I got really turned off years ago when my new husband and I were invited to an acquaintances home for dinner. It was to be our first "married" dinner with friends. It turned out to be an Amway presentation!! Arrgghhh.... I have always thought it a cheap shot to use friendships to earn money.

But....there is a fine line between marketing to friends and spreading the word about a product you love. Just for the record I do not know the owners of this company, I do not sell for them or receive any compensation from them....I just love their products! My son in law gave me some of the Face Paste he received from the owners, they had opened an account at the bank he works for and were passing along some samples. He even tasted some to show me how natural the product was, so pure you could eat it.

I have used it for the past year and since tried the foot scrub and body scrub, both exceptional. I think what makes it so unique is the coconut oil base, it leaves your skin soft but not oily. I have had problems with breakouts on my face in the past and struggled to keep my skin moisturized but not break out, this product brings balance to my skin keeping it soft and clear. It also is a great exfoliater and smells like a tropical vacation but the really great part is the price! If you have ever used name brand products you know it is easy to spend $300 on a skin care regimen and I do use other products besides this one but for the price...you can't find anything more worth it.

Here is the link to Lolo Levu's website where you can read more, including a list of ingredients and the company's motto: "If you wouldn't put it in your body, you might think twice about putting it on your body. A day without lotion is a good day!!" You can also order their products online through their website.