Month: September 2019

Curried Chickpeas

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I love curry! Early in my plant based journey, I discovered how easy it is to make a delicious and healthy vegan curry. This madras curried lentils recipe was the first one I made, and remains a frequent meal.

These simple curried chickpeas seem destined to become my next favorite. And preparing them in the pressure cooker speeds up the process.

Curried Chickpeas Title Meme

Curry

Curry is a broad term for a variety of dishes originating in India. The recipes use a combination of spices and herbs that typically includes turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger and fresh or dried chilies. Curry can be sweet and mild. Or the flavor can be hot and spicy.

Curry is usually prepared as a sauce and combined with vegetables, fruits or proteins. These delightful curried chickpeas are mild and gain their flavor from a combination of six spices and herbs.

Curried Chickpeas Spices
Start with dried chickpeas and a combination of spices.

Curried Chickpeas Recipe

This recipe is adapted from Vegan Under Pressure. Soak dried chickpeas for eight hours before cooking. Because the cook time is so short, start the chickpeas soaking in the morning and drain and rinse them when you are ready to add to the pressure cooker.

I use my DIY vegetable broth in this recipe. Found out how easy it is to make your own, from veggie scraps. And, I prepare a batch of brown rice in the pressure cooker prior to making the curry. Combine two cups of dried brown rice with 3 cups of vegetable broth, in the pressure cooker. Lock on lid. Bring to pressure and cook for 25 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.

Curried Chickpeas

Curried Chickpeas

This easy to prepare curry derives it's amazing flavor from a combination of spices. Use the pressure cooker to create a meal in minutes.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp ground ginger may substitute fresh grated ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 2 tsp curry powder
  • 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked 8 hours and drained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • sea salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Rinse chickpeas after soaking for 8 hours. Set aside.
  • Heat pressure cooker (I use meat setting) and saute onions in small amount of vegetable broth for 1 - 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  • Add spices and stir. Add drained and rinsed chickpeas and vegetable broth.
  • Lock on lid. Bring to pressure and cook for 15 minutes. Allow pressure to come down naturally. Carefully remove lid.
  • Test a chickpea to see if it is done. If not, lock on lid again and return to pressure, cooking for 1 - 2 minutes more.
  • Stir chickpeas and add the tomato paste and sea salt to taste. Serve with brown rice.

Notes

May use 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes or dried ground chili peppers for a spicy curry.
Keyword Chickpeas, Curried Chickpeas, Curry
Curried Chickpeas in the Pressure Cooker
Ready to cook.
Curried Chickpeas Cooked
Curried chickpeas cooked in 15 minutes.

Perfect Quick Curry

I love this curry! Just inhaling the scent of the spices as I prepare the recipe gets me hungry for this tasty dish. And I don’t mind at all cleaning up the kitchen while the curried chickpeas cook. They smell wonderful.

They taste wonderful as well. The combination of spices is perfect. The fun part is you can play around with different spices to change up the flavor slightly. Swap out the curry powder for garam masala. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Throw in a bit of chili powder.

For me the current mix of flavors is absolutely right. As cooler weather appears, these curried chickpeas, served over brown rice, will grace my bowl often.

Curried Chickpeas
Perfect curried chickpeas.

Pick up a pressure cooker like I use by clicking link below. And check out the pressure cooker cookbooks too!

 


 

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Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables

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In a recent post, I mentioned that I looked for hull beans at the farmer’s market, without success. I have a recipe I’m eager to try and hull beans are a late summer crop.

However, on the next visit, I scored! One market vendor offered purple hull beans for sale. I purchased a large container of the beans, excited to create a hearty meal from them.

Purple hull beans and vegetables are another perfect end of the season treat, using fresh produce. For another great recipe, check out Summer Succotash.

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables Title Meme
Background template created by my blogging friend, Lisa Mitchell.

What are Purple Hull Beans?

These staples of the south are closely related to black eyed peas. They thrive in warm, sunny environments. Other names for this bean are southern peas or cowpeas. Purple hull beans originated in Africa and came to the United States by way of Egypt, Asia and Europe.

The outer pod, or hull, turns a deep purple color as the seeds inside mature. Peel back the hull and snap out the beans, which are a pale green color when fresh. Purple hull beans are considered creamier, smoother in texture and sweeter than black eyed peas.

My cousin, Michael Lauderdale, used to grow purple hull beans in his garden. I loved visiting his farm and dining on a big bowl of freshly prepared beans. My favorite summer meals continue to be simple ones made from garden produce. I couldn’t wait to try my new recipe featuring a mix of purple hull beans and vegetables.

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables In the Shell
Purple hull beans in the pod.
Purple Hull Beans Shelled
Shelled beans.

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables

The recipe is adapted from the wonderful book, Vegan Under Pressure. I used garden fresh tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers and hull beans along with canned non GMO corn. The pressure cooker creates a healthy meal in minutes.

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables

Enjoy end of the summer produce with this savory dish.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 cups shelled hull beans
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup tomato, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups corn, fresh or canned, non GMO

Instructions
 

  • Heat pressure cooker (I use the meat setting). Saute onion and garlic in small amount of vegetable broth, for 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and continue to stir and cook, for another minute.
  • Add hull beans, vegetable broth and cumin. Lock on lid and bring to pressure. Cook for 5 minutes. Let pressure release naturally. Carefully remove lid.
  • Taste to make sure hull beans are tender. If not, cover and return to pressure and cook for 1 - 3 minutes more. Carefully remove lid.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes and corn. Simmer in open pressure cooker for 5 minutes, until tomatoes begin to break down. Or replace lid and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Makes 4 servings.
Keyword Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables
Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables Before Cooking
Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables before cooking…
After cooking purple hull beans
…and after.

Savoring an End of Summer Meal

This pot of purple hull beans and vegetables completely satisfied my craving for a hearty end of the season meal. The combination of beans and vegetables was perfect. I used my own DIY Broth from Vegetable Scraps for the stock. And the cumin lent a hint of spice to the mix.

Greg and I enjoyed a steaming bowl of this delicious meal, without adding anything else. However, purple hull beans and vegetables are excellent as well served over brown rice, quinoa or a plain baked potato.

I’ll be looking for more hull beans on my next trip to the farmer’s market. This is a meal I can enjoy well into fall, as long as the beans are available.

Purple Hull Beans and Vegetables
A bowl of summer goodness.

Pick up a copy of Vegan Under Pressure and get your own Pressure Pot. They are so handy to have in the kitchen.

 

 

 


 

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Cover Girl for Health

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Yesterday I received a delightful surprise, just as I was meeting a friend for lunch. A notification popped up on my phone, as I tucked it into my purse. Lisa, my contact at the national magazine First for Women, sent me an email. It opened with these words:

“Hi Cindy, your issue comes out today and I just learned you’re on the cover!!”

And just like that, I became a cover girl, a cover girl for health!

Cover Girl for Health Title Meme

A Magazine Reaches Out

Lisa contacted me in July, shortly after my mother and I appeared in another national magazine, Woman’s World. My contact there found me through my Instagram account and asked if Mom and I could answer some health related questions for her. The July issue of Woman’s World would include a feature article about Anthony William, the Medical Medium, and the wonders of celery juice.

She read in my Instagram posts that Mom and I experienced remarkable health transformations after following Anthony’s protocols. Both of us healed from a host of ailments and health issues. As our eating habits shifted and our bodies recovered we naturally lost weight. You can read about that fun adventure, doing a photo shoot and appearing in Woman’s World Magazine HERE. When that issue hit the stands, Mom graced the front cover! What a wonderful surprise for her. She looks adorable, holding her celery juice.

Cover Girl for Health Photo Shoot
Asenath, from Dr Flys Salon, did an excellent job with our hair and makeup. Photographer Patty Jesse took the photos for Woman’s World.
Cover Girl for Health Womans World Magazine
There is my sweet mom on the cover of Womans World Magazine. She was the first Cover Girl for Health in our family!

A Second Opportunity

Mom and I enjoyed sharing that first time experience of being featured in a magazine story and having a professional photo shoot. I’m grateful for her willingness to jump into adventures with me.

When Lisa contacted me, she explained that First for Women is a sister magazine to Woman’s World. First for Women planned a feature in their October issue about celery juice and Anthony William. She wondered if she could ask me some questions.

I’m always happy to help people with health related questions. Severe chronic sciatica led me down a dark path of pain and ultimately despair. At my lowest point, faced with the prospect of needing a wheelchair, I asked for Divine help and looked for answers beyond what I’d been told by the medical community. That’s when I discovered Anthony. He truly is a Godsend and a blessing in my life. My desire is to provide an answer to someone else’s question and cry for help.

After a few email exchanges, Lisa contacted me with the announcement that her editor wanted to use my story in their October issue. Since First for Women had access to the photos from the Woman’s World shoot, I wouldn’t need to have another session. I’m sure that saved time and money for the magazine too. I agreed, happy again to help.

Cover Girl for Health Mom and Cindy
The inside story, with the text covered up, in Womans World Magazine.

Cover Girl for Health

Truthfully, I had almost forgotten about the story in First for Women. Because I didn’t have to do a photo shoot or fill out additional releases and interviews, the time passed and I became busy with a trip to Scotland and the blogs.

Funny enough, as I showered yesterday morning, the thought popped into my head “Oh…I wonder when the story comes out for First for Women?” From past experience I knew that the magazines release early. I looked forward to seeing the story and discovering which photo the magazine used, of the hundreds that Patty Jesse took. I had no inkling that I’d be on the cover. Lisa’s email arrived in my inbox a couple of hours later.

It’s been fun, being on the cover. I’ve received many messages from friends and family. It’s also a bit of a shock, in a giggly kind of way, to walk into Walmart and see my image on a magazine at the check out. And of course, the magazine leads with the weight I lost as a result of my healthier lifestyle. In the article within the magazine, they offer more benefits. Truthfully, weight loss was not my motivation for drinking celery juice and changing to a plant based lifestyle. Improving my health, easing my severe pain and walking without a cane drove me to shift my diet.

My Desire

However, weight loss articles attract readers. I totally get that. In the past I’ve bought many magazines and books with the intention of losing weight. What I discovered is that focusing on health delivered the side benefit of losing the extra weight, easily.

My sincere desire is that women pick up the magazine, curious about the weight loss aspect, and read the story. May they find answers to their questions about health issues. May they find healing. And may they find hope for a better quality of life.

For all those reasons, I’m honored to be the cover girl for health. I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Cover Girl for Health On Sale Now
The October issue of First for Women, on sale now wherever magazines are sold.

Have a question?

If you’d like more info about my healing journey, please check out these posts:

Welcome to my Healing Journey Blog

Following a Plant Based Lifestyle – One Year Update

Celebrating Two Years on a Plant Based Lifestyle

Three Years Plant Based

And please ask me any questions you have, in the comments below or through the contact form.

Pick up Anthony’s books in my storefront:

Cindy’s Amazon Storefront

 

Journey With Healthy Me is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.

 

 

Summer Succotash

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

As summer winds down and fall approaches, gardens offer their final harvests. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the bounty with meals created with fresh produce.

I browsed through cookbooks today, looking for something new, something different to try, that incorporates end of the season vegetables. The one that appealed to me the most is a simple, wholesome recipe that is quickly prepared in the pressure cooker. This summer succotash features fresh foods such as onions, tomatoes, corn and okra.

Summer Succotash Title Meme

Creating a Summer Succotash

Succotash is an American culinary dish consisting of sweet corn and lima beans or other shell beans. Other ingredients include tomatoes, green bell peppers and okra. When served with a grain, such as brown rice or quinoa, succotash is high in all the essential amino acids that the body requires.

Fresh shell beans are removed from a pod and eaten. There are many varieties. The most common shell beans are lima, fava, borlotti and chickpeas. I’ve also seen what’s called purple hull beans in my area of the Midwest. However, a search at the farmer’s market and local grocery stores didn’t yield any shell beans. No worries. The original recipe didn’t include them. I scratched them off my list.

Summer Succotash Fresh Produce

Creating a Summer Succotash

At the local farmer’s market I did find plenty of tomatoes (my plants at home are just about done for the season) and containers of fresh okra. People either love okra or they don’t! I’m in the love category.

This flowering plant in the mallow family produces bright green pods that are edible. Known to many as a food to pickle or to cover in corn meal and fry, okra also does well lightly sauteed with other veggies and as an ingredient in soups and stews.

Okra is a great source of fiber. It’s also high in vitamins A, B6, C and K and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Summer Succotash Mix

Summer Succotash in the Pressure Cooker

Summer Succotash Recipe

Use fresh produce for this easy summer succotash. Because I only eat non GMO corn, I purchased a can labeled such, rather than use fresh corn on the cob. This recipe came from my Vegan Under Pressure Cookbook.

Summer Succotash Meal

Summer Succotash

Enjoy late summer produce with this quick and easy succotash.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup fresh okra, sliced
  • 1 large ear of sweet corn, kernels removed about 1 1/2 cups (may use 1 can non GMO corn)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • With the top removed, heat pressure cooker and saute onion in small amount of vegetable stock or coconut oil.
  • When onions are translucent, add okra. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add corn and vegetable broth. Stir. Lay diced tomatoes on top of other veggies. Do not stir.
  • Lock on lid of pressure cooker. Cook on steamer setting for 2 minutes. Quick release the pressure. Remove lid, stir and serve over grain such as brown rice or quinoa. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper.
Keyword Succotash, Summer Succotash

Delicious Summer Meal

Because of the pressure cooker, this recipe came together so fast, I barely had time to reheat the brown rice I’d already prepared! I love a quick and healthy homecooked meal when I come in late after a long day. This one is perfect.

And I used my vegetable broth made from scraps in this recipe as well. I’m loving the convenience of this simple and flavorful broth. You can find the recipe HERE. I made a fresh batch of vegetable broth this afternoon and used some of it for the summer succotash.

This meal is light and yet filling. The fresh flavors of late summer shine through. Add smoked paprika or a small amount of chopped pepper, to spice it up. Or garnish with favorite fresh herbs. Until the frost comes and officially ends the growing season, summer succotash goes into my meal rotation!

Summer Succotash Meal

 

Order Vegan Under Pressure by clicking link above or clicking on the photo below.

 

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7 Fun Health Tips to Try This Week

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With all the serious emphasis placed on health, mine included, it felt like time to write up a fun post. Daily I appreciate the miraculous way that the body functions. And I am deeply grateful for the role that healthy, highly nutritious foods play to support that body. I continue to learn and grow in the area of health and wellness.

For today’s post, I chose to feature a collection of tips that can boost health in minutes a day, and spark fun too.

Here are 7 fun health tips to try this week.

7 Fun Health Tips Title Meme

A Week of Health Tips to Try

An easy way to incorporate these tips, without feeling overwhelm or obligation, is to add one activity to each day of the week. None of the 7 fun health tips to try take more than a few minutes and yet the rewards are great.

And of course, feel free to change up these suggestions! Do three of the tips in one day. Stretch on Wednesday instead of Sunday. Make up your own fun list. These activities are meant to inspire and encourage and raise awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle…at any age.

7 Fun Health Tips Stretch

Sunday – Stretch

We can learn much from watching cats! When they wake up, they stretch. Gentle stretches stimulate the muscles, increasing blood flow and easing tightness. Stretches are a great way to wake up the body. And regularly stretching keeps muscles limber and reduces the risk of injury.

Before getting out of bed, spend five minutes stretching arms and legs. Stretch…hold…release the muscles. Be very gentle.

7 Fun Health Tips Try Something New

Monday – Try Something New

Learning something new, whether it’s a language or a musical instrument or a hobby, boosts the brain by creating fresh pathways. American researchers coined the phrase “neurobics” for tasks that activate the brain’s biochemical pathways and create new ones that help to strengthen or preserve existing circuits.

Spend a few minutes learning something new. Download a language app and practice for five minutes a day. Learn a new game. Paint with your non-dominant hand. Drive to work a different way. Mixing things up fires up the brain and that helps to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

7 Fun Health Tips Berries

Tuesday – Eat Berries

On this day, replace a dessert or even a meal with a big bowl of berries. Include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. These superfoods contain nutrients called anthocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants. And blueberries are high in resveratrol, the antioxidant compound found in grapes. Resveratrol helps to protect against heart disease, cancer and the effects of aging.

Grab a bowl of berries and savor them. Resist the urge to cover them in sugar or toss them over a scoop of ice cream. Appreciate the natural flavor of the juicy berries and the role they play in keeping the body healthy.

7 Fun Health Tips Walk

Wednesday – Walk Outside

On this day, head outdoors. Walk in a park, through the woods, across a field or around the track at a school. Just get outside and walk for 15 to 30 minutes.

We know that walking tones the body, burns calories, strengthens muscles, helps to maintain a healthy weight and gets the heart pumping. In addition, walking outdoors also reduces negative thoughts, clears the mind and boosts self confidence.

7 Fun Health Tips Read

Thursday – Read

Among the 7 fun health tips to try, this one may come as a surprise. It’s a delightful one, I hope! Studies have shown that reading for just 6 to 10 minutes can reduce stress. Losing yourself in a book lowers the stress hormone cortisol by 67%.

Grab a favorite book, or one you’ve never read before, and find a place to relax for a few minutes while you read. The mental distraction frees the mind from anxiety and thoughts that keep circling around. Bonus health tip: brew a cup of herbal tea to sip on while you enjoy your book.

7 Fun Health Tips Breathe Deeply

Friday – Breathe Deeply

Pausing to take long deep breaths improves circulation, reduces stress, calms the mind and body and lowers high blood pressure.

During the day, be aware of stress or feeling overwhelmed. Pause and take three deep breaths, breathing in through the nose for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of four and slowly releasing the breath through the mouth. Deep breathing can be practiced anywhere, at anytime…while at the office, sitting in traffic or during a bathroom break.

7 Fun Health Tips Laughter

Saturday – Belly Laugh

Talk about a fun health tip! Laughter truly does the body good. It increases blood flow by 20%, relaxing and expanding the lining of blood vessels. That increase of oxygen rich blood is good for heart health. Laughter also lifts mood and boosts the immune system. Feel a cold coming on? Laugh as your first line of defense.

Spend a few minutes on this day working up to a good belly laugh. Watch YouTube funnies. Recall a favorite scene from a comedy and watch the entire movie when you can. Read jokes from a book. Watch kids or pets play. Energetically open up the chest and stomach areas (the heart and solar plexus chakras) and allow genuine laughter to flow. You’ll feel better and so will those around you. Laughter is contagious.

Use these activities as a launching pad and create more fun health tips to enjoy. I promise you, the more you look for ways to bring health and wellness into your life, the more ideas will show up.

I’d love to hear about the 7 fun health tips you come up with!

 

Check out these fun health finds:

 


 

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