Thai Cocunt Milk Soup

Thai Cocunt Soup


20oz coconut milk
2 cups water
4 stalks lemon grass, bruised and chopped
Mushrooms, shitake and button 1/2 pound each
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon thai paste
small onion chopped
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 tsp minced ginger
1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
salt and pepper to taste
**add shrimp or chicken for added protein

Bring coconut milk and water to a simmer
In a separate pan sautee mushrooms, onions and garlic in olive oil until soft
add mushroom mixture to broth
add all other ingredients except basil
simmer on low for one hour
season with salt and pepper, add cayenne to taste
add fresh basil and serve

Summer Kale Salad

Kale is an amazing vegetable! It is full of flavonoids, yep that's a real word, giving it anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties! It has been linked to lowering the risk of a half-dozen cancers as well as being known as a great aid to the bodies detoxification system. 

This is a very simple and amazing salad full of flavor! 

Ingredients 

2 bunches chopped kale 

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded red cabbage 

1 cup organic feta cheese

1/2 cup sliced almonds 

Dressing:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons honey

Put chopped vegetables in a heat safe bowl. Put dressing ingredients in a small pot heat until honey melts and stir. Pour hot dressing over salad, toss and  let stand for 20 minutes. (You may need to make more dressing depending on how much kale you have, just be sure the majority has been covered lightly). Add feta and almonds, season with pepper and put in fridge uncovered for an hour. You want the kale to wilt. Serve. 

This keeps well in a glass tupperware container for a few days. 

Wake up your garden with coffee grinds!

If you are a coffee drinker pause before you toss out the grinds left from your morning brew. Coffee grinds are an excellent mulch choice for gardens!  They are a great source of nitrogen and minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium. There are a few ways you can take advantage of the benefits of coffee grinds in your garden. 

1. If you have a composter just toss them in 

2. Add them directly to the soil, just sprinkle them around the plants and watch them grow! 

3. Use them as a barrier for snails. (broken egg shells work well for this too) Just sprinkle a small wall of the grinds around your plants, snails avoid the texture and the acid in the grounds. 

4. Liquid fertilizer can be made by adding a few cups of coffee grounds to a 5-gallon bucket. Let it steep over night

If you're not a coffee drinker stop by your local Starbucks and ask them for their grinds! They are usually happy to give them to a gardener! 

Happy Gardening! 

Spicy Salmon glaze, oh so easy!

I love salmon and this has to be my favorite way to cook it!

Glaze 

1/4 cup red pepper jelly 

3 garlic pieces garlic clove

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 bunch cilantro 

1tablespoon lemon juice 

salt and pepper to taste 

lemon wedges 

Place all ingredients in a small food processor, blend together and spoon over salmon before cooking. I prefer to BBQ it on a cedar plank. Save about 2 tablespoons to put on after it's cooked. Serve with lemon wedges. Delicious! 

Coffee and honey face mask

I absolutely love to make skin care products out of ingredients found in my kitchen! Many of the products we eat to nourish our bodies are just as fantastic for our skin. One of my favorite masks is made with honey and coffee! 

Coffee is a great ingredient for the skin. It's rich in antioxidants which prevent aging and repair skin damage. It is highly effective at removing toxins and reducing puffiness. Honey is a natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and is very moisturizing to the skin. This is simple to apply and you're skin will feel oh so soft after just 10 minutes. On a side note I swear the caffeine soaks right through my skin and gives me a little caffeine rush so maybe skip your morning cup of coffee when you apply it!

2tsp honey

2tsp used coffee grounds (caffeinated)

Mix together and apply to the skin, leave on for 10-15 minutes then wash off with warm water.