All about Nettle Leaf tea...

If you have been following me on Facebook, you already know that I have been enjoying nettles for the first time. Since getting a big bag from Mountain Rose Herbs, I now always have a jar made in my fridge so I can enjoy a cup each morning. Don't know much about nettle? I'm going to share with you the long list of benefits and I'm also going to show you how to make it - its so easy!

 Nettle has been used for 1000's of years yet it seems to be overseen by most people. This simple dried leaf is a warehouse of vitamins & minerals and 16 amino acids. Not only does it contain vitamins A, C, D, E, and K as well as the B vitamin varieties of thiamine (B1) and riboflavin (B2), but it has a long list of beneficial minerals. The nettle plant is loaded with calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sulfur, and zinc. Its deep green foliage is ultimately evident of its high chlorophyll and B-carotene content. It has been claimed that the effects of drinking just two cups a day could improve your health.

• Nettle leaf is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and curbs the action of cytokines which induces inflammation and pain in joints. Nettle tea is known to alleviate gout and arthritic pain in patients of rheumatism. Nettle leaves also prevents the production of chemicals called prostaglandins which are known to induce bodily inflammation.

• Nettles contain lectins which help to neutralize toxic antigens in the body. It is therefore an immunomodulator and an immune strengthener. 

• It is a powerful blood purifier. 

• It helps clear skin of acne and eczema. 

• Nettle is used to increase fertility in both men and women. 

• Nettles act as diuretics that help the body expel increased and unnecessary amounts of uric acid and bacteria in the body, which in turn limits the chances of developing UTI's. It can also dilute any formed kidney stones, washes toxic matter out of the system, purifying blood by forcing kidneys to discharge higher levels of water.

• Nettles have high iron content that helps people battling anemia. It helps the body replenish red blood cells by aiding the body to produce sufficient amounts of hemoglobin in RBC's. 

• Expecting mothers should drink plenty of nettle tea, especially through the last few months of pregnancy which reduces the chances of excessive bleeding during child delivery, and possible chances of hemorrhage in newborns. Consumption post-birth is also very wise because Nettles boost the production of milk in lactating mothers. 

• Nettles are highly reputable for treating allergies. It clears up the respiratory tracts, helps eject phlegm from the body, and aids treatment of chronic diseases related to the mucus membranes of the bronchi.  Drinking 3 healthy cups of nettle tea a day can keep springtime pollinosis away, as per the University of Maryland. In fact, one should begin consumption of the tea before the season of allergies commences for optimum protection. Nettle tea is also said to be helpful in the treatment of asthma. The plant's seeming ability to fight allergic infections is what makes it a good ally against asthma.

• Drinking Nettle Tea can help alleviate diarrhea and relieve pain from hemorrhoids. It also acts as an intestinal wash, eradicating worms or combating bad bacteria. 

• Nettle tea is known to lower blood sugar levels and thus is sometimes used to treat diabetics

• Nettle tea is a wondrous muscular spasmolyte and magical curative of leg cramps owing to its high calcium content. 

How to make Nettle Tea

First off, you want to purchase a good quality organic dried nettle leaf. I really love Mountain Rose Herbs for their high quality organic goods. 

I like to make big batches in quart size mason jars. 

This is for one quart:

1/2 cup nettles

quart of boiling water

Add 1/2 cup dried nettle to bottom of Mason jar. Add boiling water and fill to top. Cover loosely and allow to sit on counter for at least 4 hours. I sometimes leave mine overnight - you want to get a strong tea! 

When its ready it will be a dark green color. Chlorophyll baby!!! This is the good stuff you want! 

Strain your nettles into a large pot. I press the leaves with a back of a spoon to get every bit of liquid out. 

You can now transfer back into jar, cover and keep in fridge. One quart usually lasts me only a few days (one cup a day) so I keep making a new batch every 3 days.  

When ready to drink, heat gently and add honey if you like. (no sugar allowed here!)

You may ask what it tastes like? It has a very mellow sweet earthy taste. Don't let that deter you from trying. Its actually quite pleasant and very soothing to drink, especially with honey added to it. I actually really, really enjoy the taste. Even my boyfriend loves it! 

The long list of beneficial compounds in this one cup of tea is silly to pass up----Get your nettle on now! 

xo

Sloppy Jose's, Macaroons and Probiotic Milk!!

I stayed home today intending to rest but I ended up doing things around the house all day. Most of the time I was in the kitchen, which is really a form of relaxation to me. Some people may not understand that concept but cooking, baking or even cleaning the kitchen is something that is such a domesticated rhythm that I enjoy being in. I love more then anything cooking a home cooked meal for my honey.  I have been determined to cook a Vegan meal that surpasses his standards. He is a typical meat and potato eatin' kinda guy and sometimes our ways of eating are complete opposites.  I always try to keep things gluten free, where he can't stand the taste of anything GF (except my pancakes!) So I'm on a mission to make dinners we both can enjoy or easy recipes that I can adapt to make a vegan version for myself. This one my friends is one of those meals! 

I revised a recipe for Black Bean Mexicali Sliders from Chef Chloe that I found on her website. I switched up a few things and also would like to switch up the name because I hate to call these sliders. They are so far from being a "meaty" burger or slider consistency. They reminded us of sloppy joe's. They were soft but had a little bite of texture from the beans and carrots and an awesome flavor profile. The sauces....mmmm...they made these. Don't omit them! 

Oh and I changed the main ingredient - no black beans. I cannot digest them! Soooo, I used Aduki beans. These are very popular in a macrobiotic diet because they are more easily digestible then any other bean.  

Sloppy Jose's 

makes 6 mini patties

Bean Patties

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 onion, finely chopped

1 (15-ounce) can Aduki beans, rinsed and drained

1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced (about ½ cup)

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/2 tablespoon chili powder (I used Chipotle Chili Powder)

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

¼ cup water

Mango Ketchup

1 mango, peeled and cut

½ cup sun dried tomatoes, whole or sliced

1 garlic clove

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Homemade guacamole or store-bought

To make the Bean Patties: 

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add onions and let cook until tender and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Transfer onions to a large bowl. 

Add beans, carrots, breadcrumbs, chili powder, salt, cilantro, and water to the bowl of onions. Use a large spoon or your hands to mash it all together. If the mixture is too dry to hold together, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Using your hands, form the bean mixture into patties, to match the size of your slider buns. In a nonstick skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat, and pan-fry patties about 3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and crisp. Add more oil to the skillet as needed. Drain patties on paper towels.

To make the mango ketchup: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

To assemble the Sloppy Jose's: Spread mango sauce on one side of bun and guacamole on the other and place bean patty in between. 

And for dessert....which by the way, were honey approved as well....

Cherry Almond Chocolate Macaroons

makes about 15 macaroons

1 cup dried shredded coconut (unsweetened)

1/4 cup almond meal

1/4 cup dried cherries, chopped

1/4 cup agave

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 tsp almond extract or vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons of raw chocolate*

Add coconut, almond meal, dried cherries, coconut oil, agave and extract in a large bowl. Mix with hands or a spoon until mixture starts to hold together. When thoroughly mixed, fold in chocolate.  Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture out and press into a ball. Place on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate until desired consistency is achieved. 8 – 10 hours.

*I like to keep raw chocolate bars on hand for things like this. I dice up a few chunks and have instant raw chocolate chips for recipes.  You can also use raw cacao nibs as well. 

I enjoyed a probiotic filled milk with my macaroons. 

I made SCD yogurt a few days ago. For those of you unfamiliar with SCD diet, it has been proven to help a lot of people with autism and digestive diseases. It is very strict and there is a lot of meat eating involved so it's really not a diet for me. Although it's not vegan, I do respect and highly support the ideas behind this diet. It makes a lot of sense. I used to make this yogurt back in the day and I did find that it helps. I need to bump up my probiotics right now because something has been putting my intestines on the fritz and I think it has something to do with my intestinal flora being off. You only need a little bit each day to gain benefits.  It is filled with TONS of good bacteria- - much more then any commercial yogurt. 

Since I don't like the consistency of yogurt, I have a hard time eating a bowl of it straight up. Add granola, I'm fine. Mix it with milk - even better.  I take a few tablespoons with a cup of almond milk, sprinkle of cinnamon, teaspoon of agave, vanilla powder and vanilla extract and mix up in the blender. You get a tangy, sweet little probiotic filled glass of milk. Perfect before bedtime on an empty stomach!

xo

GF/Vegan Irish Soda Biscuits

Every year on St Patrick's Day my mother would make corn beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots and irish soda bread. I never was as big of a fan as my little brother, for she really made it special for him. He would devour platefuls of beef while I gorged on slice after slice of toasted irish soda bread slathered in butter.  I did some research and after a few failures of attempting to create an old favorite as a Gluten-free Vegan version, I finally found the perfect recipe. It was simple too. I thought it was just as good as the original. My boyfriend, the taste-tester - well, he thought it was a little dry but he is so used to eating traditional bread. Irish Soda bread is typically on the dry side anyways! Smear some butter on these babies and you've got yourself a little treat. The savory caraway seeds compliment the sweetness of the raisins perfectly. I enjoyed these as a breakfast treat with tea or just alone as a snack. I definitely will not be waiting till next St Patty's Day to make these again. 

Irish Soda Bread Biscuits

Adapted from lifeasaplate.com

makes 8 small biscuits

Ingredients:

3 cups blanched almond flour (I used my leftover almond pulp from making milk)

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

2/3 c. raisins 

2 tsps. caraway seeds

2 flax eggs (2 tbls flax meal + 6 tbls water)

1/4 c. coconut/almond milk + 1/4 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar

2 tbsp. honey

Directions:

First make the flax eggs in a separate bowl and allow to sit and thicken 

while you prepare the other ingredients.

Next mix the milk with lemon or vinegar and allow that to rest for a few minutes. 

Mix the almond flour, baking soda, baking powder, raisins and 

caraway seeds in a bowl thoroughly ensuring no clumps.

In a separate bowl, whisk the flax eggs, milk/vinegar mixture and honey.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir till combined. 

Mixture will be gooey. Spoon onto parchment paper into biscuit shapes. 

If you want the traditional dents take the edge of a spatula and mark a cross in the tops. 

Dust the top of the biscuits with gluten free flour.  

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and allow to sit until cooled.

Schmear with butter and enjoy! 

My boyfriend's mother has Celiac (who is also Irish and loves St Patty's Day!) so I made these specially for her since she misses eating soda bread so much. Hopefully they satisfied her craving! 

I also made my own spin on Green Eggs and Ham for my boyfriend which he really loved. I layered potato hash, proscuitto, spinach, egg and cheese. It was easy to make this veganized for me! I started by placing frozen potato hash (trader joes brand) in the bottoms of muffin tins with a little salt, pepper and a tiny dab of Earth Balance. I baked these in the oven at 375 until golden brown (about 20 minutes)

then I added spinach and cheeze and put it back in the oven for a few minutes until the spinach was a little wilted. I served it with green onion on top.  A perfect little Irish breakfast for the two of us.