Kale Pesto Obsession Leads to Vegan Kale Pesto Creation

I have been obsessed with kale pesto lately.  It has 4 of my top 5 spring into spring detox foods as ingredients and it goes with everything.  Not to mention that everyone who tries it, asks me for the recipe.

Well, lately I have been having some trouble with dairy (even with enzymes) and have committed to cutting it out for a while to see what kind of results might come about.  Unfortunately, it also means that I have to give up parmesan cheese, a key ingredient of the kale pesto that I have been so crazy about.
I am finding out that desperation can be an excellent catalyst for creativity. You'll find below a recipe for kale pesto substituting garbonzo beans and tahini for the parmesan.  And, I gotta tell you, it tastes pretty darn good.  I had it over gluten-free pasta with baby zuchini and broccoli.  Plus it has tons of fiber and nutrition!

Try it and see what you think....

Non-dairy (vegan) kale pesto:

Ingredients:
1 15 oz. can of garbonzo beans (chick peas)
1/4 cup cilantro - roughly chopped
1/4 cup parsley - roughly chopped
1 cup basil - roughly chopped
2 cups curly kale - roughly chopped
3 cloves of garlic - chopped
3 Tablespoons of tahini
4 Tablespoons of olive oil
3 Tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
Celtic sea salt to taste

Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process/blend until smooth.
Try it as a sandwich spread, over cooked whole grains or pasta, or as a dip for crackers and raw veggies!

Top Five 'Spring' into Spring Detox Foods

Feeling a bit out of balance this season?  
If you have yet to shed your winter coat (excess lbs), are lacking your normal energetic spark, or are just feeling plain out of sorts, it may mean that your liver is overburdened. To do its job efficiently your liver might need a little extra support from you.

Do not worry though, giving your liver that support is easier than you think.  Simply cleaning up your diet and incorporating foods that boost your body's natural detoxification process can do wonders for your liver's ability to clear toxins from your body and get rid of fat.

My top five spring into spring detox foods are well known for their ability to:

• Nourish the liver 
• Support the body's natural detox process 
• Flush out toxins and fat

They also help to increase your overall energy level and improve your mood!

1.) Green Leafy Vegetables
These 'super' veggies are packed with the vitamins A, E, C and K and the minerals magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, and iron. Green leafy vegetables provide many of the essential nutrients that support a healthy liver and, thus, fuel the body's natural detoxification process.

Green leafy vegetables are not only nutrient dense, but they are rich in chlorophyll, which is known for its blood purifying qualities.  Greens also aid in strengthening the immune system, fighting depression, improving circulation, and keeping the skin clear and blemish-free.
Some of my favorite spring green leafy veggies include:

• Watercress
• Dandelion greens
• Arugula
• Kale
• Collards 
• Swiss chard
• Spinach 
• Romaine lettuce

Try to incorporate as many different kinds of greens into your diet to get the full range of benefits that they offer -- 3-4 cups daily if possible.  Add them to your soups, salads, smoothies, and juices.  You can even enjoy them with eggs in the morning or in the afternoon on a sandwich. 

2.) Citrus Fruits: lemons, limes, and grapefruit

Citrus fruits, especially lemons, are excellent detoxifiers.  Lemons are astringent, high in vitamin C and potassium, and are particularly effective in getting the body to release toxins.

Upon rising each morning, I start my day out with the juice of half an organic lemon in a 12 oz. glass of warm water.  It gets things moving, and by 'things' I mean my bowels, and keeps my coffee habit in check. Yes, I enjoy a cup of Joe in the morning, but drinking the warm lemon water beforehand naturally gives me a boost and reduces my caffeine cravings.


3.) Fresh Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices, referred to by some as nature medicine cabinet, are known for their powerful healing abilities.

• Cilantro is a chelator, which means it binds to heavy metals like mercury and aids in eliminating them from the body.
• Cayenne Pepper clears the blood, aids in the elimination of toxins, and increases circulation.
• Tumeric has been proven for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancerous, and anti-inflammatory properties.  It also purifies the blood, increases circulation, and stimulates the liver.
• Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory and detoxifying food.
• Cinnamon increases circulation, decreases cholesterol in the blood, and possesses antimicrobial qualities.
• Parsley  promotes kidney function and urinary tract health.  It is high in iron and is rich in the blood purifying pigment, chlorophyll.

Cut down on your use of salt to flavor your food and use fresh herbs and spices instead!

4.) Extra Virgin (first cold-pressed) Olive Oil is not only a healthy source of fat, but is also a liver tonic and promotes healthy intestinal function.  Healthy fat is essential to liver health, detoxification, and weight loss.

Don't cook this high quality oil, but enjoy it raw mixed into salad dressings, sauces, or by itself drizzled over delicious spring veggies like artichokes, greens, or asparagus!

5.) Daikon Radish is a major fat burner and helps to clear out congestion that results from over indulgence in unhealthy fats, sugars, and overly processed foods.


Hope this helps in your journey to become a healthier you!

Sources:
Wood, Rebecca, The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia.  New York, Penguin Books, 1999.
Haas, Elson, Staying Healthy with the Seasons.  Berkley/Toronto, Celestial Arts, 2003.

Spring Cleansing Soup Recipe

Spring is here at last!  Let the sun shine down on our pale wintry faces and warm our sleepy slumbering souls!  Spring is a time for awakening, cleansing, and renewal.  To help my body's natural impulse to wake up, release the old, and make room for the new,  I choose to eat lighter foods that are in season or that are especially supportive of the organs responsible for detoxifying the body's tissues.

I incorporate lighter soups into my diet to help transition to this lighter way of eating during the spring.  But though I am choosing a lighter diet, I realize, too, the early spring chilly days and nights are still ever present.  Eating a warm, yet light soup can help me meet both my requirements of staying warm and giving my digestive system a break.  To support your body through this spring's transition try my Spring Cleansing Soup Recipe!

This light and tasty spring cleansing soup will have your taste buds singing and your liver humming.  It's easy, fast, and perfect for lightening the load you may have acquired over the winter - whether that load is excess weight, a build up of toxins, a lethargic mood, or all three.  In fact, many of the ingredients in this soup are high in water content and great fat burners!  The daikon radish is known for it's fat busting qualities - raw or cooked.

Ingredients:

2 large Leeks - thinly sliced

1 Onion - diced

3 Garlic Cloves - minced

1.5 cups Daikon Radish - cut into ¼ in. half moons

2 medium Carrots - diagonally sliced

1 stalk Celery - diced

1 cup Cabbage – shredded

1 cup Kale – roughly chopped

2 medium Parsnips - sliced into rounds

1 medium to large Burdock Root – sliced into half moons

1 medium to large potato - diced

6-8 cups of Chicken Stock or Water

1 tablespoon of Celtic sea salt

1/2 bunch of Parsley, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons Organic Butter

Half a Lemon

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

In a large stock pot, heat butter over medium flame.  Once melted and hot, add onions and leeks and cook until onions begin to turn translucent (about 6 minutes).  Add the celery, carrots, potatoes, burdock, and parsnips and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and the salt, cook for another minute or two.

Add the stock or water, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil.  Make sure you add enough stock to cover all the vegetables.  Add the cabbage and kale, add more stock/water if needed, cover, and turn the heat down to low so that the soup continues to cook at a simmer for an additional 30 - 45 minutes.

Upon serving add a spritz of lemon juice, drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of freshly chopped parsley to taste.

This soup recipe should yield about 6-8 servings.

Spring into Spring Detox Workshop

Although this chilly weather continues to demand we bundle up in our warmest coats and scarves, there is no denying it! The signs of spring are everywhere! From the crocuses emerging from the earth’s cold ground to the sun’s extending presence in the sky, spring has come to wake us from our winter’s slumber and encourage our transition from the dark and cold winter to the warm weather months of summer.

As the season transitions from winter to spring, we, too, feel the urge to make changes during this time. We may experience this seasonal shift as an inspiration to clean the house, start a new exercise routine, or let go of relationships that no longer serve us. It is also the time of the year when the body naturally wants to ‘let go’ too. During the spring season, the body ramps up its natural detoxification system to get rid of any toxins or fat that have accumulated over the cold winter months. During this time you may notice that you feel less hungry, crave more lighter or raw foods, and have an increased desire to be out and about moving around. All of these behaviors support the body’s natural detoxification process and help prepare us for the hot summer weather. In order to create long-lasting health as well as look and feel our best, it is crucial to support our body during this season’s change. 

To help guide you in supporting your body’s natural cleansing process during this important time, I will be giving a Spring into Spring Detox talk on April 14th in North Salem.
During this talk you will:

• Learn about the body’s natural detoxification process

• Discover how to recognize the body’s signs for toxicity

• Learn about the common environmental sources that contribute to toxicity and how to lower your exposure to them

• Receive diet and lifestyle tips on how best to support your body’s detoxification process

I will also be providing yummy treats and refreshments that will get your taste buds buzzing for healthy spring fare!

If you’d like to spring into spring with me, please contact me at (914) 471-5091 or teal.stamm@gmail.com. Please RSVP by April 8th as space is limited.

Location: North Salem, NY
Time: 4:00-5:30PM
Cost: Suggested donation of $10