A Whole Foods Plant-based Breakfast In Five Minutes

Strawberry Nice Cream Recipe (No Bananas!)

Are you looking for a healthier vegan alternative to ice cream that does not require bananas?

My son has ADHD and Tic Disorder. Lately, I have been very conscious of the ingredients in the foods he eats. The addition of dyes and ingredients that can trigger both of my son's conditions seem to be in everything that is marketed towards kids. With very few suitable alternatives, I have taken up the task of making his snacks from scratch at home. This way I can control what is put in his snacks and what is not. Here is one of my son's favorite recipes.

My Strawberry Nice Cream

 1 1/2 Cups Frozen Strawberries

1 Cup Soy Milk 

2 to 3 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Freeze for at least an hour before serving.

How I Make Vegan Beans In My Instant Pot Mini

Dry Beans

Cooking dry beans, the thought of it seemed daunting and time-consuming. The thought that I would have to wait for hours while the beans soaked was just too frustrating to process. I want to be able to cook dinner in less than thirty minutes with the least amount of mess or effort. I mean, who has time to stand in the kitchen for hours? Am I right? 

Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers are no longer as complicated and dangerous as they used to be. Used correctly, they give us the quick-cooking option that we all long for. In this fast-paced world we live in, where time seems to be limited and there never seems to be enough to get everything done, they are a valuable tool.

Enter the Instant Pot Mini

Fortunately, pressure cookers have changed a lot since I was a kid. (Yes, I am old!) I absolutely love my Instant Pot Mini! The beans are not daunting to me anymore. The Instant Pot Mini is probably the easiest appliance in my kitchen. There are new safety features that were not offered on conventional pressure cookers which make cooking with them so much easier and safer.

Vegan Or Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet

In November of 2018, my doctor was giving me a hard time about my cholesterol. Even though I thought I was eating healthy, my cholesterol was a scary 262. The first thing to come out of her mouth was about medications. The second was a healthy diet which included the things I was already doing. It wasn't working. I asked her to give me a few months while I tried to take care of it on my own. Up until February of the following year, I continued to try to get control of my diet while eating meat and dairy. I started to experience a lot of headaches, backaches, shoulder issues, knee pain, and this strange pain in my side that I couldn't shake. I was frustrated, to say the least. I was looking on Youtube one day to find a solution or at least a reason for my aches and pains, the doctors couldn't find any, and stumbled upon a video by Dr. Michael Gregor about the health values of a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet. I figured, what the heck, it can't hurt to try. I didn't want to take medication for the rest of my life so, why not?

2 Months To Lower Cholesterol

After two weeks, my body stopped hurting. The headaches went away. No more pain in my side, knee pain, backaches, shoulder pains, and I started losing weight. My cholesterol was checked on April 29. I was so happy that I cried right there in the doctor's office. It had dropped from 262 to 191. I was stunned, the doctor was stunned. She asked me what I had done to change it so drastically. I told her that I had adopted a WFPB diet. I honestly can't wait to go back for the next cholesterol check. I will let you know how that goes.

On To The Beans

My WFPB diet includes a lot of beans which I include with a lot of other veggies in various recipes. They have a great deal of nutritional value on their own but I like to throw in herbs and spices that add different flavors to them. Here is how I make beans in the Instant Pot Mini.

Step one is to put your dry beans in the stainless steel pot that is included in your Instant Pot. Any kind of dried beans will do.  Next, check your beans for rocks, debris, or any beans that you may not think look right. Rinse your beans at least twice and drain them. Now, cover your beans with twice as much water as you have beans. (One cup of beans, two cups of water.)

 Place the pot with the beans and water into your Instant Pot Mini. Plug it in and make sure the pressure release valve is set to the center as indicated in the picture below for pressure cooking.

Turn the lid clockwise to lock it in place. The machine will make an ascending noise to indicate it is locked.  Press the Rice button to the right side. It will display that it is on.

When the Instant Pot reaches the proper pressure for cooking, the timer will begin. Don't worry about setting the time, the Rice function will do it for you. When the time is up, it will beep at you. This starts the slow pressure release time.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN!

You have two options here. You can turn off the pressure cooker and use the manual release valve on top by turning it to the left or let the pot continue the slow release until the indicator button behind the manual release valve drops on its own.

Release valve to the left for quick release. Watch out for hot steam to come out quickly so you don't get burned.

The slow-release option.

Either way, do not attempt to open it till the pressure indicator button drops. Mine is silver.

Only after the indicator has dropped may you open your Instant Pot by turning the lid counterclockwise. It will make a descending noise to indicate that it is open. Now you should have perfectly tasty, too hot to eat, beans. After a little cooling, add the herbs and spices of your choosing and enjoy them.

See, that wasn't so hard! Enjoy your easy to make beans!!


Disclaimer: Always read the instructions of your machine to make sure you are familiar with the safety and cooking instructions. Don't just follow my or anyone else's instructions. Always go by manufacturer's instructions.

Whole Food Plant-Based Recipe #1: Tofu Spinach Scramble

Idea #1 if you are starting a plant-based lifestyle:

Tofu Spinach Scramble

In a nonstick pan on medium/high heat, sauté onions, bell peppers, purple cabbage (cut in small pieces), add sliced mushrooms. Sauté further until onions are translucent. Crumble Extra firm drained tofu into mixture and cook further until tofu is thoroughly heated.  Add onion powder, garlic powder,  salt, pepper, paprika, and a dash of cayenne pepper.

 Finally, add a handful of fresh spinach. Cook just enough for the spinach to wilt. Done! The cooking portion shouldn’t take longer than fifteen or twenty minutes if your nonstick pan is preheated. No oil is necessary but it can be used. I don’t.

All veggies and spices are optional. Use what you like to eat. I don’t measure anything. Add as much of each ingredient as you like. I make an entire pan and eat it all. You won’t get fat off of veggies! Season to your taste.

This is how I cook. Not always tofu, sometimes O’Brien potatoes. Sometimes add rice or add the mixture to pasta. I mix up the veggies and spices. Add black beans or lentils. Sometimes no potatoes or tofu just veggies! I just don’t cook with oil that much and if I do it is usually just a nonstick spray.

More recipes to come.

Homemade Chili!

Fastest Breakfast Ever! Egg In A Mug

Here is another really fast breakfast idea.

Egg In A Mug

2 Eggs

1 Tablespoon of Frozen Chopped Peppers and Onions

A Dash of Garlic and Herb Mrs. Dash (optional)

A Pinch of Salt and Pepper

1 Tablespoon of Cheese of Your Choice (optional)

In a two 12 to 16 oz mug, put two large eggs. Add Salt and Pepper and Mrs Dash. Stir till well mixed. Add Frozen Chopped Peppers and Onions. Stir together. Cook in the microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Take out of microwave and sprinkle with cheese. Eat hot or let cool for two minutes. 

Cooking times may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave.
Precooked breakfast meats may be added to this recipe.

Enjoy your morning!

Freezer Meals: The advantage of cooking too much!

Ever cook way too much food for the number of people in your house and have tons of leftovers? I am guilty of this a lot. And yes, a lot of the time, the leftovers would sit in the fridge till I had to throw them away which is a huge waste of food. Recently, however, I have started making them into freezer meals.  

 Although I may not feel like eating chicken for two nights in a row, I may be craving it by next week. It is great to thaw out precooked chicken, not have to go through the hassle of cooking it. Just warm it up for dinner. Often that chicken will be used to make soup or a casserole.

 

Freezer meals are also handy for on-the-go for work provided you have a way to heat them there. It can save you a small fortune. Buying food at work or going out to eat at lunch time isn't cheap. 

This may just improve your health also. No more processed vending machine meals. You have a delicious home cooked lunch all ready to go. 

One of the biggest advantages is not having a bunch of containers from leftovers in the refrigerator. This means more room for things like milk, eggs, butter, and veggies. And the food actually gets eaten so no more waste.

It's a huge time saver later in the week too. Don't have time to cook a full meal, thaw and reheat something from the freezer. Give this meal solution a try, who knows how much you could save!

Miracle Whip Chocolate Cake

So you want to make a cake but you find yourself short a few ingredients.
Try this recipe for a delicious chocolate cake without eggs or oil.

Chocolate Miracle Whip Cake

2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
4 Tablespoons Baking Cocoa
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Miracle Whip
1 Cup Water
2 teaspoons Vanilla


Combine all dry ingredients thoroughly, then mix in Miracle Whip, Water, and Vanilla until batter has no lumps. Pour into and 8 x 8 pan that is sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

I know, it sounds odd. All you will taste is chocolate goodness though, so give it a try!

DIY: How I Make My Own Laundry Soap

In my quest to save money, I have happened on a few good ideas for making my own products. One of my favorites is to make my own laundry soap. The fact is I haven't had to buy laundry soap for nearly a year now, it costs me just pennies a month to make my own. How do I do it? Let me show you!

DIY Homemade Laundry Soap

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

3/4 cup ULTRA Dawn

2 cups hot water

In an empty laundry soap bottle, approximately 32 load bottle, with a funnel add Borax and Washing Soda. Be sure to break up any chunks. Add Ultra Dawn. Be sure it is Ultra Dawn for maximum cleaning power. To this, pour in hot water and gently shake to dissolve mixture. When ingredients are dissolved, fill the rest of the bottle to the top with cold water. Be sure to shake every time it is used. Use a cap full per load. Always test for color safety.

Once you buy the ingredients, it takes a long time to go through them depending on how often you do laundry, of course. Give it a shot and see how much you can save.

DIY How To Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Repurposing Over-Ripe Apples

Do you have some apples that are going to waste? Here is a great way to use them up and make your house smell fantastic in the process.

Take one apple and slice it up, core and all. Throw it in a sauce pan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon of cloves and/or about five to ten drops of clove essential oil, and a stick or two of cinnamon. You may also throw in some orange peel. Now put it on the back burner of your stove at a very low setting and slowly simmer it all day. You may have to add a bit of water here and there throughout the day and it should never be left completely unsupervised. You may also use a small crock-pot or electric candle warmer.

There you have it! No chemicals or candles, just natural delicious smells filling your home.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult while making this.

Facebook Recipes

If you have Facebook, you have seen tons of these. Recipes, that look absolutely amazing, pour in on Facebook all the time and I cant tell you how many times I have said, "Hey, I'm gonna try that one." Well I am going to start a new kind of blog post that will go along with my regular posts. Facebook Recipes will be coming soon! I will be making (maybe with small variations depending on ingredients) and reviewing them so stay tuned, one of your favorites may just pop up. Have suggestions? Look for PastelPriceless on Facebook and post them there!

My Son Says I Make The Best!

My son says I make the best Banana Bread in the whole wide world! Considering his vast amount of experience with food world wide (I'm being sarcastic, of course.) I will certainly take the compliment and run with it! So here is the Best Banana Bread In The Whole Wide World recipe!

BEST BANANA BREAD IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

4 RIPENED OR OVER RIPENED SMASHED BANANAS

2 EGGS

1 3/4 CUPS OF BROWN SUGAR

1/2 CUP MELTED BUTTER

1/4  CUP MILK
1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

1 TEASPOON BAKING SODA

1 3/4 CUP FLOUR

Cream together bananas, eggs, brown sugar, melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix flour and baking soda together thoroughly then add to the creamed banana mixture. Make sure to mix thoroughly so there are no lumps. Pour into a bread pan that has been coated with cooking spray. Bake till golden brown top cracks slightly or 1 hour and 25 minutes in a preheated 325 degree oven. 

This and a nice hot cup of coffee in the morning, what could be better?

Where In The World Do You Get All of Those Coupons?

    Times can be pretty tough and money can be short. Coupons, however, are abundant. It is important to know where to look for them. Even I had to be taught to look for them in many places, not just the Sunday paper. Surely we have all seen those shows where someone takes a list of things to the store along with their coupons, racks up a bill of $300 and then whips out her stack of coupons which bring the total down to $.25. If I had the storage space, I would extreme coupon like crazy, but non-extreme couponing helps out too and it can be fun. Have you ever wondered where they get all of those coupons?

There are many sources for coupons. We all know about the Sunday paper coupons. In the area I live in they have a county paper that comes out about once a week too. There are a few coupons in there but not many. Often, on the flyer that comes out from your local store, there will be store coupons attached that you can cut out. I have been surprised to see that a few of the magazines that I am subscribed to have booklets of coupons, once in a while, attached to them or in the plastic wrapping that surrounds them. If you look inside the magazines that you buy, you can find coupons on pages or in the form of cards. Don't want to clip coupons yourself. Look online for coupon printing companies, they will do the work for you for a small fee.

 Lately, there has been a trend towards printing off coupons. Not every store allows these yet, but more and more they are becoming the way to go. You can go to the coupon companies themselves such as Redplum, P&G, SmartSource, etc, ... where they offer you the printable version, tell you where to find them locally, or signup for their newsletters. Some will even send them directly to your home if they are not offered in the local papers.

Some stores offer you their own coupons. Target, for instance, has a large selection of in-store printable coupons. These can be used along side a manufacturer's coupon. Having a store coupon, manufacturer's coupon, and a great sale and you have the makings for some incredible deals. Many times a store's  coupons can be found in the isles as you shop. Catalinas are found in the little machines where you can pluck them and they spit out another. Also, vendors will post manufacturer coupons in the isles that you can peal from a pad. Yet another way to get them is to buy something with a coupon on it that you can use at the time of purchase. There are coupons, sometimes, on the insides of packaging as well.

One of my favorite ways to get coupons is to go directly to the manufacturer. Companies want to sell their items and often will send out samples or coupons if you sign up to their pages or newsletters. For instance, if you like a certain cleaning product, write the company that makes it explaining how much you love their product. In their appreciation, they will often send coupons and/or samples. P&G Everyday offers samples that can be tailored to your preferences. 

Like to shop online with coupons? Click here to check out how to do it on Amazon!

Finally, we come to apps. Many stores have their own apps where you can find mobile coupons, search ads, or even shop. Digital coupons are growing fast in popularity. Not having to search or clip through them makes life a little easier. They send out regular texts to let you know when a new batch of digital coupons are available. 

Check it out, see how many coupons you can find in these places and then start saving money. Who knows, you may even have fun!

Coffee and Tea With Me!

    As I have explained before, and I am sure many of you can identify, I have a horrible time getting going in the morning. Making things easier for myself is a must. Everything needs to be easily accessible so that I don't trip over myself in the morning trying to get it ready to use.

Introducing The Coffee Station

No, it is nothing too complicated but it certainly helps in the morning not to have to look for everything just to make a great cup of coffee. My Coffee Station is located at the end of the counter, near the sink, below the cabinets where my favorite coffee mugs are stored. 

We don't use the coffee pot for just coffee. It is used to heat water for instant coffee, tea, and cocoa as well as my Ready-Made Pecan Raisin Oatmeal. All of these things are conveniently stored in a basket or jar in the coffee station.

Waking up and making coffee shouldn't be a chore. Having it all set out and ready to use helps start the day right by making it easier. For more a more detailed look at The Coffee Station, check out this video!

Relaxed mornings make for better days!