Tag Archives: Michelle Berry

Super Delicious Broccoli Salad

Wow. Its that time of year when we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and other holiday festivities in which we come together and share food!
Being that my youngest daughter and I are the only veg-heads in the family, the side dishes are our favorite part of the meal and this recipe is a great addition! Hearty and delicious!

Delicious Broccoli Salad:

  • 1 bunch broccoli, cut into bite sized chuncks
  • 1 handful almonds
  • 1 cup scallions, or green onions
  • ¾ cup raisins, currants or olives
  • DRESSING BLEND:
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • ½ cup tahini
  • ½ cup red onion
  • 1 whole lemon, juiced
  • ½ whole jalapeno pepper, seeds removed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons oil, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon corriander
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, (optional)
  • 1 Tablespoon agave, to taste
Cut and toss body ingredients into a bowl.

Blend dressing ingredients in a blender, add to body ingredients, massage together and enjoy!

Broccoli is cooling in nature, and helps reduce eye inflammation. It is slightly diuretic in action. Broccoli reduces pitta and kapha. Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C as an orange, and almost as much calcium as whole milk-and its calcium is better absorbed by our bodies. Broccoli contains selenium, is a modest source of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol vitamin E, and has value as an antioxidant.
(The leafy greens–not the blossoms–offer the most nutrients)
Interestingly enough, raw broccoli and broccoli sprouts offer the highest amount of support to people with stomach problems. This is because many stomach problems have been linked in research studies with overgrowth of a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, and also with excessive attachment of this bacterium to the inner stomach lining. Raw broccoli and broccoli sprouts provide special stomach support with respect to these unwanted overgrowth and over-attachment circumstances. Since half of our immune system is in our digestive tract, broccoli is a great immune system booster!
Broccoli is also concentrated in phytonutrients. In one particular phytonutrient category—glucosinolates—broccoli is simply outstanding. The isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from broccoli’s glucosinolates are the key to broccoli’s cancer-preventive benefits.
Yumm.
Noah and I also served this salad at our wedding, everyone loved it!
Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!
Pray for snow!
xoxoxox
Michelle
Sources:

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

This is the perfect chocolate mousse!
The avocado is a versatile food that is used in a variety of raw dishes– like gazpacho and other cold soups, fruit salads, dips, desserts, and even ice cream! Avocados are a healthful substitute for sour cream or cream cheese in dressings, dips and spreads. But today we are going to explore chocolate mousse!
Avocados are amazing!
  • Promote heart health
  • Wide-range of anti-inflammatory benefits (including reducing & preventing arthritis)
  • Optimized absorption of carotenoids (fat soluble phytonutrients)
  • Supports cardiovascular health
  • Promotes blood sugar regulation
  • Balances hormones

Many varieties of this native American plant are grown, but there are basically two different skin types: a smooth, green-skinned variety that remains green when ripe–this is known as the Fuerte and it is available in the fall and winter; and Hass, a dark, rough-skinned variety that blackens as it ripens is available in the summer.
Select avocados that are fairly heavy for their size and free of irregularities. When the fruit yields to gentle finger pressure, it is ripe. Store at room temperature until ripened, then refrigerate.
  • The Perfect Chocolate Mousse
  • ½ cup dates, pitted, soft
  • 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon coconut butter, (optional)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons non-alcohol vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups avocado, mashed (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup raw carob powder
  • 4-6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • Directions:
  • Soak the dates in 1/2 cup fresh water for 5-10 minutes to soften. Drain soak water and set aside. In a food processor, blend dates, maple syrup, coconut butter (if desired), and vanilla until smooth. Spoon in avocado and blend until smooth. Add a few tablespoons of date soak water if necessary to aid in blending. Spoon in carob and cocoa powder and blend until smooth.
    Spoon mousse into parfait or wineglasses. Keeps fresh for several days.
    You may also choose to freeze for a decadent ice cream! Yumm!

Eighty-eight percent of an avocado’s calories come from fat–primarily monosaturated fat–which makes avocados an excellent food for people wishing for the nourishment and the building of blood and yin. Because they are an excellent source of fat for people who have difficulty assimilating other fatty foods they are also a good source of protein, potassium, and vitamin E. They also reduce vata, which is perfect for this time of year!
And there you have it!
xoxox,
Michelle

Believe you can, and you can.

Although it is disappointing that California did not pass prop 37 as well as how some of our local elections turned out both with candidates and propositions that were voted on. I found it interesting throughout the election process that it was not so much about the candidates but how we see choose to see them. I think that many people give too much power to elected officials. There is no way that an official can make everyone happy and make the right decision for everyone as we are all unique individuals in unique situations. Today is a good day to look inside of ourselves and take responsibility for our own well-being and not count on others for our individual happiness & content, wealth and worth. Letting go of negative thoughts will help us to clear the air to make better decisions in our daily life and be happier more productive people.

Believe you can, and you can. Belief is one of the most powerful of problem dissolvers. When you believe that a difficulty can be overcome, you are more than halfway to victory over it already. ~Norman Vincent Peale

We create our own reality and meditation is key in helping us to deepen and understand the sacred and mystical forces of life. As we meditate we clear away the information overload that we have burdened ourselves with. As we clear away this burden we start to gain new perspectives on stressful situations and how to manage our stress. This is because meditation helps increase our self-awareness by focusing on the present and reducing negative emotions. Including those emotions and thoughts that have to do with this weeks electoral process.

For those of you who are new to meditation, the Chopra Center periodically has free guided Meditation Challenges. They also have available Meditations you can do at anytime!

Peace and love,

Michelle

Simply Divine Chocolate Macaroons

Chocolate is so heavenly! I am constantly amazed about how much people love these decadent treats! They are simply gluten free bliss!

Ingredients for Chocolate Macaroons:
3 cups dried, unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup carob powder
3/4 cup maple syrup or agave
1/3 cup coconut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract or powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
To make Chocolate Macaroons:
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir well to combine.
Using a small ice cream scoop, your hands, or a big tablespoon, spoon rounds of the dough onto dehydrator screens. If using your hands, it helps to have a bowl of water to wet your hands so macaroon mix does not stick. I find it easiest just to let my macaroons sit out on the counter overnight. They end of perfect the next day! You may also choose to dehydrate at 115 degrees for about 6 hours, or until crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. you may also choose to put them in the freezer for a frozen treat or simply dehydrate in oven by turning it off and on till desired consistency is reached.
You may also use all carob or all chocolate in your recipe. I find that a little chocolate goes a long way!

Benefits of Raw Cacao:
Magnesium: This is one of the most essential minerals, yet studies say that more than 80% of the United States’ population is deficient in magnesium. In nature, the most concentrated source of magnesium is raw cacao! Other good sources of the mineral include certain nuts and any chlorophyll molecule. Magnesium supports the heart, increases brain power, relaxes muscles, increases flexibility, causes healthy bowl movements, and helps build string bones. As one of the body’s primary alkaline minerals, magnesium assists the normal functioning of several chemical enzymatic processes — facilitating more then three hundred different detoxification and elimination functions.
Chromium: This mineral helps balance blood sugar levels, and cacao has ten times the amount of chromium as whole wheat, a chromium-rich food, making it the highest food source of this mineral.
Antioxidant Power: Raw cacao beans are super-rich in antioxidant flavonols. They contain 10,000 mg (10 grams) of flavonol antioxidants (that’s a 10% concentration level!). This makes cacao possibly the best source of antioxidants, with twenty to thirty times more than red wine or green tea.
Vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, C, and E are all present in significant quantities.
Other nutrients: Fiber, iron, niacin, phosphorus, as well as hundreds of other chemicals and phytonutrients (special plant nutrients) are found in cacao.
Pure Chocolate Bliss,
Michelle
xoxo