Traditional Spiced Apple Cider (Wassail)

The season is changing, and with this change comes that cravings for comforting and traditional Fall foods and drinks, made from fresh fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. 

One of my favorite traditional hot beverages, and the one which sparks some of my best holiday memories, is Spiced Hot Apple Cider, or as the old English called it - Wassail (Mulled Apple Cider) meaning 'Good Health'. 

Wassail:

refers both to the salute ''Waes Hail'' and to the drink of wassail, a hot mulled cider traditionally drunk as an integral part of wassailing, an ancient southern English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year.

 When I was in college I sang in a madrigal group, and we dressed up in renaissance garb, and had a large production for Christmas! We sang traditional old English songs, like this one: 

(Here is a picture of a picture, of our group singing at a Renaissance Fair in 2002- I'm in the middle)

"Wassail!"

"Wassail! wassail! all over the town,

Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;

Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;

With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

Old Apple tree, old apple tree;

We've come to wassail thee;

To bear and to bow apples enow;

Hats full, caps full, three bushel bags full;

Barn floors full and a little heap under the stairs."

video uploaded by the: SeleyaCommunity

     Luckily I happen to live very close to an old Apple Orchard 

located in Oak Glen, CA called Los Rios Rancho's 

where they sell fresh pressed raw Apple Cider

It is a beautiful orchard and Ranch where you can pick your own apples, visit their amazing gift shop for beautiful homemade crafts and home good, and many tantalizing old fashioned and new cookbooks! 

You can even watch them working their press during the day to observe their process..They still use the old pressing methods. Sarah's favorite snack there are their caramel apples dipped fresh daily!

Here is the traditional recipe I like to use:

Need:

1 5qt. Pot

1 Gallon Apple Cider or 1/2 gallon (However much you want to serve)

1 Orange

1 Apple

Cinnamon Sticks

Nutmeg

Cinnamon

Cloves

Steps:

1. 

Pour 1/2 gallon - 1 gallon of Apple Cider into the pot set on High Heat to boil

2. 

Add Spices: 

1-2 tsp of Nutmeg, Several 'shakes' of cinnamon or 1 tbsp. About 8-12 cloves

3. 

Add slices of orange and apple

4. 

Bring to a rolling boil for about 3 minutes, then set to low heat to keep warm for serving.

5. 

Pour into mug with cinnamon stick and place a garnish (small apple or orange slice, with a dash of nutmeg) on the top if desired.

* Add Brandy, Spiced Rum, or Wine - 

to make Mulled Spiced Apple Cider for adult holiday parties.

Time: 10-15 minutes    Servings: 6-8 servings for 1/2 gallon

I hope this recipe brings you as many wonderful memories as it has for me, and gives your taste buds an amazing burst of Spiced Apple flavor and your body health for this fall season and the holidays! 

This recipe is perfect for parties, and bringing together your family and friend to harken in the good harvest for next season! 

                  Cheers 

                                           and 

                                                        Wassail!

 ~Peace and Love ~

What is your favorite holiday beverage, and what memories are triggered when you smell or drink it?

Leave a comment below.

How to Bake a Spaghetti Squash

STEP 1:

Cut the squash in half lengthwise

Tip: 

Oil a sharp long non-serrated knife to cut through the tough exterior easier.

STEP 2:

Remove the seeds from the center with a large spoon 

and place in a container to save the seeds for roasting

Ingredients:

4-5 tbsp Vegan Spread

 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

A couple dashes of Cinnamon

A dash of Nutmeg

In a small bowl mix the Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg

Coat the inner squash with Vegan Spread all the way to the edges, and in the center.

Then Sprinkle the spice mix all over the inside of the squash

Bake: 350 degrees    Time: 50 minutes

- The end result should look like the top photograph! -

** The smell in the kitchen is amazing! MMM! **

Enjoy it as is, or mix into 

muffin mixes, casseroles, soups, 

or even top onto a salad!

It's an amazingly healthy and sweet side dish!

~ Peace and Love ~

Did you try the recipe? 

How did it turn out? 

Comment below with your results!

Health Benefits of Squash Fall 2012

It is now near the end of September and the weather is starting to get cooler (sort of), and Autumn is in full force. Bringing to mind the smells of pumpkin pies, baked butternut squash, and yummy casseroles cooking in the kitchen. Delightfully delicious!

As we start preparing our menus with more seasonal fair, I wanted to focus on the many health benefits these little (and sometimes big) beauties provide!

'Winter squash, members of the Cucurbitaceae family and relatives of both the melon and the cucumber, come in many different varieties. While each type varies in shape, size, color, and flavor, they all share some common characteristics. Their shells are hard and difficult to pierce, enabling them to have long storage periods between one week and six months. Their flesh is mildly sweet in flavor and finely grained in texture. Additionally, all have seed containing hollow inner cavities.

We are just beginning to discover the wealth of nourishment provided by the mildly sweet flavored and finely textured winter squash, A vegetable that was once such an important part of the diet of the Native American's that they were buried it along with the dead to provide nourishment on their final journey. Winter squash is available from August through March; however, they are at their best from October to November when they are in season.'

World's Healthiest Foods

         - - - THE AMAZING NUTRIENTS IN SQUASH - - - -

Nutrients in
Winter Squash
1.00 cup baked (205.00 grams)

Nutrient%Daily Value

vitamin A214.1%

vitamin C32.8%

fiber22.9%

manganese19%

vitamin B616.5%

potassium14.1%

vitamin K11.2%

folate10.2%

tryptophan9.3%

copper8.5%

vitamin B28.2%

omega-3 fats7.9%

magnesium6.6%

Calories (75)4%

*High in VITAMIN A:

Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye.

Vitamin A promotes good vision, especially in low light. It may also be needed for reproduction and breast-feeding.

Carotenoids are dark-colored dyes (pigments) found in plant foods that can turn into a form of vitamin A. There are more than 500 known carotenoids. One such carotenoid is beta-carotene.

• Beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by substances called free radicals. Free radicals are believed to contribute to certain chronic diseases and play a role in the aging processes.

• Food sources of carotenoids such as beta-carotene may reduce the risk for cancer.

• Beta-carotene supplements do not seem to reduce cancer risk.

*High in VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals (which promote aging) are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. 

Vitamin C is important for your skin, bones, and connective tissue. It promotes healing and helps the body absorb iron!

*High in FIBER

Fiber is a substance in plants. Dietary fiber is the kind you eat. It is in fruits, vegetables and grains. It is the part of the plant that your body can't digest. Yet it is an important part of a healthy diet. It adds bulk to your diet and makes you feel full faster, helping you control your weight. Fiber helps digestion and helps prevent constipation.

You can get fiber from whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables. You should add fiber to your diet slowly. Increasing dietary fiber too quickly can lead to gas, bloating and cramps.

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So, go ahead, start baking and cooking those delicious squash recipes and making your kitchen smell like Fall! 

~ Peace and Love ~

and Squash!

Cinnamon Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

 

Get a taste of Fall - Try this simple smoothie....

Cinnamon Pumpkin Smoothie

                                    1 cup of Organic Red Grapes

                             2 cups of Watermelon

             1 cup of sliced pumpkin or canned pumpkin

                             1-2tbsp of Chia Seeds

                             1/2 cup of coconut milk

                              Dash of cinnamon, to taste

It tastes amazing, and you get an extra energy boost from the Chia Seeds!

Get more healthy tips on my page: 

Naomi's Nutrition Nook

Thanks for Following!

~ Peace and Love ~

My 30th Birthday Challenge!

-Some quick photo's I took, nothing fancy, you can do it too! :)

 Join the Birthday Challenge FB Page I made for everyone to post YOUR Birthday Goals 

My 30th Birthday is coming up in December, and I decided a great way to ring in my thirties would be to give myself a personal challenge concerning my weight, and over-all muscle tone! 

I would love for you to follow me on this journey, I will be posting updates weekly about what I am doing towards my goal.

This idea sprung out of seeing all of these amazing before and after photos of weight loss, and weight training! I decided I need to challenge myself, to be MY personal best. Just because I am a Health Coach does not mean that I am perfect and that I deal with many of the same issues you do! I am a mother, and I want nothing more than to give my daughter the best of me, and I am going to be sure that she is hopefully inspired by my efforts, and carries on what she learns to herself, her friends, and her future family!

When making goals, always be specific, and write them down!

MAIN GOALS:

1. Lose 10-15lbs, if I lose more, awesome:

-Drink more water :)

2. Tone up my abs, thighs, rear, and arms:

- Incorporate a daily routine of (does not have to be all at one time during the day)

-100 sit-ups

- 30 push-ups

- 20 leg lifts (for each leg) on my side

- 5 pull ups

- 20 Jumping Jacks

- 15-20 minute walk with the dogs

- Stretches for flexibility

- weekly weight checks

3. Drink green juice 2x daily, morning and late afternoon.

I hope to inspire you and all of my friends to consider doing something similar for their upcoming birthdays! I am making myself vulnerable, to let you know that it is ok to reveal yourself and be genuine, and to create attainable goals for yourself, and then see the results of sticking to your goal! 

I promise that it will be very inspirational for those around you, and if people want to judge you for your endeavor, do not listen to their negativity. There is nothing negative or wrong with being authentic, and especially realizing a goal- whether it be related to your weight, your health, changing your diet, doing an art project, getting up and singing that solo you always wanted to perform, or traveling the world, or even being able to say you made it to see your grandchildren get married! 

There are no limits to what goals you can set for yourself, and make happen!

What goal/s are you going to set for your next birthday?

Leave a comment below with one personal goal!

~ Peace and Love ~

-Naomi's Nutrition Nook-

"School lunches are a social justice issue!"

Uploaded by 7117morris

    School lunches will shape your child's healthy future! 

"renegade lunch lady" Ann Cooper talks about the coming revolution in the way kids eat at school -- local, sustainable, seasonal and even educational food.

- A great 20 minute lecture that you need to see, especially if you have children in school!

- How do you incorporate healthier foods into your child's daily diet or pack their lunches?

- Among other things, I home school because I am able to teach my daughter about food, and she is able to prepare her own food at home! 

Do you let your children in the kitchen at home?

~ Peace and Love ~

U.S. Road Trip Frugal Vegan Tips: Food - Part One

Hi - Everybody!

Well, it is getting near the end of Summer now, and most people are finished with their road trips and heading towards the 'back to school' schedule! 

But, I am leaving today on a road trip from Southern California to Western Kentucky, then back to Kansas (to pick my daughter, Sarah, up from her Grandparent's), then back to Southern California - all in one week!

 Since it is NOT exactly budget friendly or convenient to eat  out or even find any vegan or vegetarian cafe's/restaurants for every meal...

Here are my tips for eating Vegan, and on a budget while traveling across the Midwest: 

1. Buy organic food/ travel snacks at the grocery store before you leave!

List of Easy Travel Food/Snack Options:

- Fresh Organic Fruit of choice = Bananas, Apples, Grapes, ect. ($6-10 for several lbs.- Bring a small cooler with ice $2)

-  Buy Bulk Nuts/Seeds/Dried Fruit = Mixed Raw Nuts, Almonds, Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds, Walnuts, Chia Seeds, Raw Coconut Flakes ($5/lb)

- Celery with Almond Butter and Raisins stored in Ziploc Bags ($3-4 for 30 servings or more)

- Make your own Bean Burrito's..Tortillas and canned Organic Black Beans ($3-4)

(bring a can opener and a couple paper plates)

- Organic Green Juice Mixes such as Raw Green Super Food (.95/per Serving): 

(I Bring Coconut Water- $3, Ice and this BPA-Free Cup with a screw on lid, to mix it in): 

- One Case of Spring Water: ($4)

TOTAL FOOD COST: 

** $40-45 ** 

to feed 2-3 people for up to 7 days!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

~ Easy Clean-up and Disposal Tips ~

1. Tote Bags (in back seat area) - Use for depositing Recyclables, then recycling, in an available bin.

2. Large Paper Bag (In back seat area)-  

Use for non-recyclable waste, food waste.

3. When stopping at gas stations, stores, rest areas, or eating establishments - Throw away any garbage.

4. Bring some citrus essential oils to place on an unscented hanging air freshener - to relieve stress, and give positive energy for the journey!

~ PEACE and LOVE ~

Part 2-Coming Next...

Are these tips helpful? 

Let me know in the comments below!