Modern Hippie Mag » Food

In the Kitchen with Natalia – Chocolate Cherry Truffles

Natalia KW — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 16:00:24 +0000

Cherries are one of my favorite summer fruits. I can eat them non-stop! Chocolate and cherries are a classic combo, but at first glance, there’s no way to tell there’s a sweet, fresh cherry wrapped up inside these little bites. I love surprises! The truffle base is so simple, you can play around with your favorite fruits, nuts and spices to create your own masterpiece. Have fun!

Makes one dozen

Ingredients:

3/4 cup raw cacao powder
seeds of one vanilla bean
pinch of salt
1/2 cup pitted medjool dates
1/4 cup raw honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil
12 pitted cherries
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder

Instructions:
Place the cacao powder, vanilla bean and salt in a food processor. Pulse gently to combine. Add the dates, honey and coconut oil and process until sticky and smooth. To make each truffle, roll about one tablespoon of chocolate into a 1″ ball with your hands. Flatten into a circle and wrap around the cherry. Roll again to make a smooth, round ball. Place the 2 tablespoons of cacao powder on a plate. Roll the cherry filled truffle in the cacao powder and give it one last roll with your hands for an even coating. Set in the refrigerator for one hour to firm. Consume within 2 days since you’re using fresh cherries, or freeze for longer storage.

Natalia

Natalia is the chef/owner of Glowing Temple, a raw and living foods inspiration, creation and education service based in Sarasota, Florida. She strives to create recipes focusing on local and seasonal ingredients and never compromises when it comes to organics. Natalia wishes to share the joy she has discovered through a clean, green diet. Recently, she created an organic live & vegan menu for Mi Pueblo’s University location. Find her on Twitter @NataliaKW and Facebook.

In the Kitchen with Natalia – Chocolate Cherry Truffles is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Sow Your Own

Steve McAllister — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:00:05 +0000

Cafe Direct is the United Kingdom’s largest 100% Fairtrade hot drinks company. By following their mission of changing lives and building communities through inspirational, sustainable business, they focus their social and economic impact in the developing world, by investing 50% of their profit back into the growers, positively impacting the lives of over 1.6 million people in 14 different countries. Through their new Sow Your Own project, they are affecting even more.

The project was started ” to inspire even the most garden-starved urbanites to grow their own great-tasting food.” Although Cafe direct is not available in the United States, I recently spoke with Jacquie Bance about the impact Cafe Direct has on so many people and how the Sow Your Own project is inspiring the United Kingdom to start thinking more sustainably.

Steve

In addition to serving as Managing Editor and contributor to Modern Hippie Mag, Steve McAllister is an actor, musician, accomplished author, filmmaker, and the man behind Your Daily Groove. His most recent novel, The McAllister Code is available as an e-book at www.themcallistercode.com. Find Steve on Twitter, @InkenSoul. Read his reviews and articles here.

Sow Your Own is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Weekday Vegetarian

Steve McAllister — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:00:27 +0000

Ever since reading The World Peace Diet, I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a vegetarian and vaguely considering the idea of actually making the shift to veganism. For those of you who have made this shift, you know that it can sometimes be difficult. For those of you who haven’t, you probably think it impossible.

For me, it’s not necessarily that it would limit my epicurean options. After all, I have Natalia, a wonderful raw food chef, who shows me several vegan recipes in our video series In the Kitchen with Natalia. Nevertheless, eating meat has been ingrained in me since I was but a young ‘un. Other than the mornings I had cereal or oatmeal for breakfast, pretty much every meal I had revolved around some type of meat – pot roast, spaghetti with meat sauce, broiled chicken, barbecued kielbasa, pork tenderloin… okay, you get the picture. I mean, I was raised as a Baptist. We have barbecue for communion, for goodness sake.

Yet I know that American meat consumption is way over the top. The new KFC Ultimate Double Stack Artery Blocker is a testament to that (replacing the buns with fried chicken breasts? I mean, come on!). I know that the methane emitted by beef cows is not good for the environment and a possible contributor to global warming. I know that the practices used by many of our factory farms is far less than humane. I know that it takes more crops to feed livestock than it does to feed people. And I know that the runoff from these factories causes a great deal of our pollution. Even with all of that knowledge, giving up meat is no easy task.

But I did challenge myself to become a vegetarian for the month of July. And I must say that I’ve done pretty well. The first nine days went off without a hitch. I was eating plenty of leafy vegetables, Boca burgers, and raw foods. I even had a Chipotle burrito without the carnitas. Then my wife had a craving for a rotisserie chicken and I fell off the wagon. Nevertheless, I crawled back on, and I’m proud to say that I went to the all you can eat buffet at Troyer’s Amish Restaurant and managed to eat no meat. I had a great salad, potatoes, stuffing, corn, green beans, broccoli, and topped it off with cake and ice cream. And while I humbly admit that I slipped up in my vegetarian commitment, I’m not beating myself up over it.

What’s important to me is cutting down on my meat consumption. One of these days, I’m sure I’ll become a total vegan (especially if they invent a barbecue tree), but for the time being, I’m taking baby steps. I think too many people, myself included, get so caught up in the “all or nothing” mentality that they end up hating themselves for faltering while trying to change a lifelong habit. I’ve got plenty of things to get mad at myself about. I’d rather rejoice when I do well than get down on myself when I do bad.

Recently, I saw the following video on TED by the founder of Treehugger, Graham Hill, where he talks about his own struggle with going vegetarian. He brings up some pretty good points, and I thought I’d share it with those of you who are considering the transition, but become grim when holding your “last” hamburger in your hand. As for me, I’m taking one day at a time.

Steve

Weekday Vegetarian is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Best bags for your veggies!

Jaszy McAllister — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:00:51 +0000

We’ve all heard the alarming stats about plastic, and even though I felt I was doing my part by reusing my produce bags to discard kitty poop, truth is whether or not you recycle plastic bags, the energy and expense of making them still takes a toll on our environment. So I started scanning the web for reusable produce bags for my veggies, and though I found several different ones, most of them were made of canvas…who can see through canvas? Which meant that the grocery teller would have to open the bags and possibly put their grubby little hands on my veggies (yes, I know it’s illogical, especially given that several hundred people probably put their grubby little hands on my veggies before I even know it!). But I digress. So just imagine my excitement when I found reusable produce bags that are virtually see-through!!

Flip & Tumble

I am so loving my Flip & Tumble Reusable Produce Bags (set of 5/$10.95) from ReusableBags.com! The Flip & Tumble bags are made from breathable, durable polyester, are compact and lightweight with drawstring closure, and resist staining and shrinking better than natural fiber bags. Plus, the fine mesh allows you to use them for smaller bulk items. Keeping them clean is a cinch – simply machine wash and line dry. And let me tell you, I turned some heads at the farmer’s market recently, everyone wanted to know where I got them! They are definitely a smarter and cooler alternative to plastic produce bags!

Reusablebags.com specialize in providing a huge selection of reusable shopping bags and related accessories. And check it out, they’re having a fab Summer Sale! Take advantage of some serious savings on some of their other popular high-quality items:

Reusable shopping bags (starting at under $4)
Stylish, durable water bottles (starting at under $7)
Lunch bags (starting at under $4)
Food containers (starting at under $8)
Items for kitchen & home (starting at under $4)

They also have great deals on reusables from brands like Klean Kanteen, SIGG, ACME, Thermos and countless others!

So do your part, ditch the plastic, buy your own Flip & Tumble Reusable Produce Bags, and be the talk of your farmer’s market!

Jaszy

Jaszy McAllister is the woman behind the curtain of Modern Hippie Mag. She is also the host for ModernHippieMag.com video and podcast interview profiles and a Green Guru for TheGreenGirls.com. Find her on Twitter, @msjaszy. Read more articles by Jaszy.

Best bags for your veggies! is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

The Very Best of Dining Etiquette – Fabkins

Jeanne Blaisdell — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:58 +0000

“Hey Mom, I’m eco-friendly!” my 10 year old says to me as he wipes his mouth off on his sleeve. “Very funny, now use your napkin!”, I retort.

Beach Bound

Though we haven’t used paper napkins in a while, my boys sometimes just seem to find their clothes an easier option. So now that I’ve discovered Fabkins, using a cloth napkin is a little more fun. These adorable, 100% certified organic cotton napkins come in bright colors with upbeat embroidered designs reflecting kids interests, making mealtime manners a possibility and of course, reducing unnecessary waste at the same time. Each of mine have their own Fabkin with a unique design from the Beach Bound and Extreme Sports collection and wouldn’t think of letting the other brother use it. Other styles include Prima Ballerina, Garden Friends and African Safari.

What I like most about Fabkins is the size – trimmed down a bit and perfect for smaller hands, mouths and laps. It’s also great for the lunchbox, traveling and for a place-setting-to-go. It can even double as a place mat and the tag has a line to write the child’s name. By simply adding a Fabkin to a waste-free school lunch, you can save around $250 and eliminate 67 pounds of waste every year. Now that’s something to smile about…so now…Use your Fabkin!

Jeanne

Jeanne Blaisdell publishes TheGreenSamaritan.com, her personal blog highlighting green living tips and information in order to help herself and others on their journey towards greater environmental awareness. She has also launched EcoAvenueLtd.com, an online shopping site featuring the latest deals and promotions from a collection of earth-friendly merchants. Jeanne lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband Tom and two boys, Jack (10) and Ben (7). Find The Green Samaritan on Facebook, follow on Twitter @GreenSamaritan and @EcoAvenueltd.

The Very Best of Dining Etiquette – Fabkins is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Conscious Ingredient: Coconut

Suncear Scretchen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:00:45 +0000

Conscious Ingredient: Coconut

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a fascination with coconut. I insisted on having it on any cake we made or bought- (who remembers Pepperidge Farm’s three layer coconut cake?) We also used to crack one open with a hammer, drink the juice and eat the meat. As it turns out we were doing something very beneficial for our hair, skin, nails and overall health. Fortunately, we can now get the benefits in easier ways that don’t involve using a hammer.

Photo by Kevin Holler

Coconut water is now becoming the drink du jour for fitness buffs. It’s a great way to replenish the electrolytes that are lost via sweat including potassium and sodium. It’s also used to maintain the health of the kidneys, urinary tract and bladder. If you don’t like the flavor of it alone, try substituting it for water in your smoothies. Here’s a recipe that’s perfect for summer. It’s both cooling and increases energy.

Coco water, mango, blueberries, chia seeds, greens of choice- (dandelion leaves are good for balancing out the sweetness and detoxing the liver.)

When researching remedies for my thyroid issue, I discovered coconut oil. The oil can be purchased in jars or in supplements. It has a high iodine content which makes it a good source for people suffering with hypo-thyroidism. In addition, it helps in maintaining low cholesterol, metabolism and dental and bone health. It’s also used to help eliminate candida yeast infections due to it’s anti-fungal properties. Coconut oil is a very good cooking oil as it remains stable under high heat (360 degrees). When purchasing this product you should look for virgin or extra virgin coconut oil. You want a product that is cold pressed from fresh coconut meat. It seems to work best when other elements of the coconut are consumed.

Adding to its multifunction, the coconut is not only great internally but topically as well. Because it’s an antioxidant, it’s perfect to use as a moisturizer for the skin and hair leaving them both soft and well-conditioned. Sun tanners will be glad to hear that it also protects against UV rays. Create your own body scrub by combining coconut oil, sea salt and your favorite essential oil.

If you prefer to just use the meat, put some flakes in your smoothies, on top of desserts or in a fruit salad.

In whatever form you chose to consume coconut, it has a plethora of nutrients that nourish both inside and out. And summer the perfect time for that pina colada so drink up- just use real coconut milk.

Suncear

Suncear Scretchen has had a life long interest in natural and organic products. After a bout of Graves Disease over 10 years ago, she began a quest of integrated wellness. Her research led her to the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and she is now a Health Coach helping clients lead healthier lifestyles. Her passion for achieving awareness in everything we put on and into our bodies is chronicled in her blog Conscious Chick. She is a Wellness Contributor for Creme Magazine and My TempO! with Morgan. For more info on Health Coaching visit SunCere Wellness.

Conscious Ingredient: Coconut is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Acne, Dairy and Soy: The Killer the Culprit and the Cure?

Shayna Teicher — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:30:01 +0000

For those who haven’t heard my story, a huge part of how I ended up opening Butterfly Effect and getting into this business in general was that I had constant skin problems starting from my early teens. From oily skin to hormonal breakouts to funny little patches of eczema, it was always something, and despite spending plenty of my money (starting with my earnings from working at a bead store from ages 14-17) and buying everything from high-end skincare to special makeup that was recommended to me by countless department store ladies/makeup counters/infomercials/health food stores, nothing ever seemed to make an improvement. I was on and off birth control which (while I was on it for the fourth time) did seem to help, but overall it just made me a crazy person- many of my friends will vouch for this, bless them. I also started eating organic and using natural products.

At this point, I realized that you can’t take anything at face value, not what the sales people tell you and certainly not what a product’s packaging says- they want you to buy their product when you read its label. Then I found mineral makeup. When I started wearing i.d. bareMinerals (I now custom blend my own mineral makeup) around my junior year of college, my skin saw a HUGE improvement, and I knew there was something to this whole “natural thing”, that there was benefit in putting less on your skin rather than more, and certainly in putting less chemicals on your skin in general. I hate to say it, but other than my introduction to mineral makeup, the biggest improvements I’ve ever seen in my skin have come from my own research and using deduction to rule out triggers, NOT from salespeople or physicians. That’s why when I recommend skin care products to customers, I always ask lots of questions and encourage them to pay close attention to things like their diet, activity level, chemical/product exposure, and daily lifestyle when trying to determine the cause of a skin issue (very different from the approach of too many MDs: “Treat the symptoms. If they go away, what does it matter what the cause was?” Sorry if it seems harsh, but this has been my experience.) I’ve seen people with breakouts caused by cell phones, shampoo, skin cream, natural extracts, wheat, dairy, soy, chemicals, mineral oil, etc…all who went to the dermatologist, who simply wrote them a prescription. Breakouts aren’t always caused by what you think.

Part of my journey in dealing with breakout prone skin and switching to a more natural, organic diet has been cutting back on dairy, which in turn has resulted in my eating more soy (thank goodness for Purely Decadent soy ice cream- See? All my posts really do go together!). I noticed a significant difference in both the oiliness, and in the amount, size and severity of my breakouts when I cut back my dairy. I went from consuming probably 3-5 servings a day to 1-3. As I started eating more soy, the breakouts seemed to improve even further. When I went online to see if other people had had similar experiences, I was surprised to find lots of people on opposite sides- either switching from dairy to soy made their skin worse, or it improved it. There was little in between and I was having trouble finding a source to bridge the gap.

In his abstract “Pathogenesis of Acne”, Dr. Toyoda M. Morohashi (Japan) explains that “Acne results from hyperkeratinization and obstruction of the pilosebaceous follicles secondary to androgen-stimulated failure of normal desquamation of the follicular epithelium, androgen-stimulated sebum production, subsequent colonization of the follicles by Propionibacterium acnes and other organisms, and variably, inflammation.” Basically androgenic (male) hormones stimulate sebum production (the mix of oils and dead skin cells our skin produces), which prevents the normal process of the natural shedding of the outer layers of the skin and leads to hardening of those cells and blocking of the sebaceous follicles, leaving them prone to acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. This explains why traditional, over the counter acne remedies rely on exfoliation (salicylic acid) and anti-bacterial (benzoyl peroxide) action, or else hampering oil production all together (accutane). The key word in Dr. Morohashi’s explaination is ANDROGENS: a group of “steroid hormones that stimulate or control the development and maintenance of male characteristics”.

If androgens are a culprit behind acne, how are so many women (over 75% of girls age 16-18 experience acne) being exposed to them? It seems highly unlikely that such a substantial portion of the population would all suffer from an overproduction of the same hormone. More and more studies are pointing to milk and dairy.

In a talk at Harvard University, Ganmaa Davaasambee, “a Mongolia-trained medical doctor, a Japan-trained Ph.D in environmental health, a fellow [in 2006] at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and a working scientist in the Harvard School of Public Health,” discussed the link between cancer and dietary hormones, in particular the estrogenic hormones found in milk and dairy. “Among the routes of human exposure to estrogens, we are mostly concerned about cow’s milk, which contains considerable amounts of female sex hormones,” Ganmaa said. She also noted that dairy accounts for 60-80 percent of estrogens consumed. Where do all these hormones come from? In order for commercially bred cows to be most productive (for the nearly 300 days a year that they are milked!), they need to be kept pregnant. Those hormones that the cows produce are also in their milk, so when we drink that milk or eat dairy made from it, we are ingesting those hormones. While the high levels of estrogens in modern dairy may have a connection with cancer rates (the focus of Ganmaa’s study- which you can read about here), the same milk also contains androgens, progesterone (which breaks down into androgens), and androgen precursors. It’s the androgens (testosterone producing hormones) that are a trigger for acne, especially in women who are already biologically sensitive to male hormones.

Photo by Marijn van Braak

The level of hormones present in milk depends on how far along in the pregnancy the cow is. “Milk from the late stage of pregnancy contains up to 33 times more signature estrogen compound (estrone sulfate) than milk from a non-pregnant cow…” making “the milk we drink today quite unlike the milk our ancestors were drinking without apparent harm for 2,000 years.” Ganmaa isn’t declaring dairy itself a bad food, but she is questioning its safety when it’s produced using our modern techniques. “Milk is a food of great complexity, and contains high levels of beneficial nutrients, including calcium and vitamin D.” Even cows not treated with BGHs (bovine growth hormones) contain these hormones, because they’re still kept pregnant.

This would explain why many women experience improvement in their acne with the use of birth control- the estrogen hormones helps counterbalance the excess of testosterone/androgenic hormones. Unfortunately, this isn’t a cure, it’s just a band-aid.

In the experiences that people were sharing online, some people who tried switching from dairy to soy in an effort to improve their breakouts found that they were allergic to soy and that it actually made their breakouts much worse. Others found that switching to soy delivered an improvement- indicating not only that they may have been experiencing a dairy intolerance, but that the estrogenic compounds in the soy itself might be beneficial. Sheesh! The conclusion? While there may not be a definite answer, it’s relatively easy to use trial and error to find out if dairy and/or soy are behind your acne woes.

This would be my recommendation: If you currently consume dairy and soy, try cutting out only dairy for two weeks. You don’t even have to cut it all, just a significant amount; I just don’t want to give up my morning latte, but I’ve cut out all ice cream and yogurt, and most cheese. After two weeks, do you see any improvement? Then add it back and cut out soy for two weeks. What changes have you seen? I think many people will find right away that cutting out one or both of these food groups leads to improvement of acne symptoms. Note: many processed foods contain milk and soy ingredients, so if you eat a lot of those, be sure to check the ingredients labels to see if you’re getting dairy and soy in unexpected places. If you couldn’t see an improvement being either dairy-free or soy-free, then you have to try cutting out both.

For me, the experience of experimenting with my diet was well, WELL worth it. I learned that while I need to avoid dairy in excess, I can have a little, and soy (perhaps it’s the additional estrogenic compounds) seems to help, rather than hurt my situation. It’s also just another example of how where our food comes from and how it’s produced is just important, if not more so, than the food itself.

Have you had any skin revelations? Do you have experience dealing with dairy or soy reactions? Please share!

Resources:

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/124/original/acne/danby.html#2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11479771?dopt=Abstract

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desquamation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgen

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,835434,00.html

Shayna Teicher

After nearly three years managing a bath and beauty boutique, Shayna decided to go out on her own and open Butterfly Effect, a holistic, eco-conscious beauty boutique located in Sarasota, Florida. Our very own “Beauty Chick”, read Shayna’s other intriguing articles and product reviews here.

Acne, Dairy and Soy: The Killer the Culprit and the Cure? is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Cultivating “The Garden”

Steve McAllister — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:00:14 +0000

After the Los Angeles riots broke out in response to the Rodney King trial, thirteen acres of land in South Central LA were converted into a community garden at 41st and Alameda. The land was tilled and cultivated into a thriving garden and source of food mostly by the Hispanics of the community, which make up 67% of the neighborhood. Twelve years later, Councilwoman Jan Perry and activist Juanita Tate of Concerned Citizens of Los Angeles attempted to convert the land into storage warehouses and a soccer field for the community. They story of these 372 farmers and their fight for their community is told in the Academy Award nominated documentary film The Garden.

The film shows both sides of the issue, with most of the time given to the farmers, the legal battles they pursue, and the infighting that unfortunately comes with the ravages of battle. While Jan Perry and Juanita Tate are given fair time to explain their sides of the story, they are without a doubt painted as the villains of the story, showing little mercy or compassion to the immigrants who have found hope in the simple of pleasure of growing their own food. Perry and Tate had already developed another soccer field at the corner of Slauson and Main, an endeavor which took six years and $4.7 million dollars for a level dirt field and a single port-o-potty.

In her defense, before being developed into the largest community garden in the United States, the land was bought by the city to build a garbage incinerator, a move that was stopped by Juanita Tate. Nevertheless, due to using her activist credentials to raise money, she was seen by some of the farmers as a “poverty pimp.” By the end of the film, Tate and her sons are under investigation for misuse of funds.

Of course, Perry and Tate are minor villains. The true enemy of our seed planting heroes is the developer Ralph Horowitz. “In 1986, the city paid Mr. Horowitz five million dollars for the land. In 2003, the City Council agreed to sell it back to him for the same price.” Mr. Horowitz, in turn, offered the land for the selling price of $16.3 million.

In true Hollywood fashion, the farmers band together to raise the money, gaining the support of celebrities like Joan Baez, Willie Nelson, Martin Sheen, and Darryl Hannah. Nevertheless, even after the farmers raised over $16 million dollars in less than sixty days and offered to buy the land, on June 13, 2006, police blocked the farmers from entry, arresting several while bulldozers plowed the garden back into dirt. Mr. Horowitz, once agreeing to sell it if the farmers raised the money, said he wouldn’t sell it to them for any price.

Though the parting shots of the dormant land two years after the destruction of the Garden do not offer the happy ending we may have hoped for, the experience actually helped the farmers to carve out a better future for themselves. The city eventually offered the farmers another seven acres in South Central LA to cultivate another community garden, and many of the farmers started an eighty acre garden in Bakersfield, the harvests of which they sell at farmers’ markets around the region.

The majority of the film is in Spanish, but the message is clear in any language. The Garden inspires us to always fight for our rights, to never give up, and to realize the value of community.

Steve McAllister

In addition to serving as Managing Editor and contributor to Modern Hippie Mag, Steve McAllister is an actor, musician, accomplished author and filmmaker. His most recent novel, The McAllister Code is available as an e-book at www.themcallistercode.com. Find Steve on Twitter, @InkenSoul. Read his reviews and articles here.

Cultivating “The Garden” is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

Your Garden Show!

Guest Contributor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:00:55 +0000

One of the best ways to honor and live in harmony with this planet we all seek to protect is through a return to gardening. Family gardens. Rooftop gardens. Community gardens. Gardens play an important role in the sustainability movement. More gardens mean better health for us all.

YourGardenShow.com is an interactive online experience where gardeners of all levels can share videos, photos, ideas and inspiration, YourGardenShow.com brings gardeners together in a rewarding, fun way. With individual and group pages, how-to videos, garden planners and a rapidly growing audience for new garden bloggers, here you can share the wisdom you have “grown.”

* Join the Community to Share Photos and Videos
* Learn about Plants that match Your Growing Conditions
* View other Inspirational Gardens

YourGardenShow.com features an expansive 6,000 vegetable database developed by Cornell University (778 varieties of tomatoes!) and a 5,900 ornamental database powered by Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the U.S.A. Uniting the 25,000 square miles of America’s gardens and beyond, YourGardenShow.com encourages passionate gardeners to “show and tell.” Maintaining local roots in California, Iowa, Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy, the YourGardenShow.com team includes “Groundskeeper” Mark Kane, the former Executive Garden Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

“Creating a resource and network of global ‘neighbors’ trading tips and spreading green thumb wisdom is a fantastic tool for the growing worldwide gardening community,” says Mark.

“Gardeners visit over the virtual garden gate — with one click of a finger you can be transported from an Italian Grand Garden to a vertical window garden in downtown New York — everyone’s got something to share,” say husband and wife co-founders Tom Finerty (Emmy-Award winning producer) and Lisa Marini (Master Gardener).

YourGardenShow.com was developed by Pivotal Labs (Twitter) and designed by Hot Studio (Ancestry) in San Francisco.

Stacie Shepp, (415) 259-4546, stacie@yourgardenshow.com

Your Garden Show! is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.

In the Kitchen with Natalia – Spicy Citrus Broccoli

Natalia KW — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:00:21 +0000

I’ve always had a thing for Chinese food. Where it used to be a craving for the greasy, fried version, now I reach for fresh, crunchy veggies, and homemade, flavorful sauces. In this dish, broccoli and red pepper are tossed in a zesty orange sauce. With sesame, ginger, and chili, this dish is bursting with Eastern inspired flavor. If you have a dehydrator available, you may try dehydrating the finished dish to soften and warm the broccoli. Though, you’ll certainly enjoy it either way!

Spicy Citrus Broccoli

serves 4 as a side dish

Spicy Orange Broccoli

For the Spicy Citrus Sauce:

3 tablespoons raw sesame tahini
2 tablespoons coconut aminos, nama shoyu or wheat-free tamari
2 tablespoons cold–pressed sesame oil
1 tablespoon raw honey
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
¼ teaspoon grated ginger
¼ teaspoon crushed chili pepper
¼ teaspoon Himalayan salt

For the Veggies:

2½ cups broccoli florets, very thinly sliced
½ cup diced red bell pepper
2 small scallions, very thinly sliced

To garnish:

3 tablespoons sesame seed, divided

To Prepare:
Place all ingredients for the Spicy Citrus Sauce into a large bowl and whisk well until smooth. Add the broccoli, bell pepper and scallions to the sauce and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sesame seed and mix again. If you choose to dehydrate, spread the entire mixture on a teflex lined dehydrator tray. Dehydrate at 105˚ for 3 hours. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds to garnish. Enjoy in pleasure!

Don’t forget to vote for Natalia as the quintissential Hot Raw Chef. The Grand Prize winner will receive a coveted demo spot at the upcoming Chef Showcase: Hot Chefs, Cool Kitchen where they will offer a live demonstration which will be streamed worldwide across the Internet plus other prizes totaling about $1100. As an added bonus, when you vote for Natalia you’ll receive a free eBook of ALL the recipes that twenty-seven chefs have prepared in their videos. So go show the love and support Natalia!

Natalia

In the Kitchen with Natalia – Spicy Citrus Broccoli is a post from Modern Hippie Mag your online resource dedicated to hip, healthy conscious living & environmental sustainability.