Fresh Berry and Rosewater Ice Cream

Where did I find fresh berry and rosewater organic ice cream? In an absolutely delightful organic ice cream parlor in L.A.


I just returned from a fabulous three week vacation which included five days in beautiful Glendale, California which is about 15 minutes ( or 2 hours if you've experienced Los Angelos traffic) from Beverly Hills.

Glendale is an adorable quaint little town with lots of restaurants, shops, theaters and cafes. Every night we took a ten block walk from our hotel to what is called , The Americanas. It is basically a center of activity that showcases an active fountain of dancing water, a larger than life golden statue of Zeus, a lit up replica of the Eiffel Tower, continuous melodies of Frank Sinatra type music piped in on a pa system, kiosks, upscale stores, restaurants, and a beautiful square which reminded me of being in Italy.

In the early evening, it was flourishing with lots of locals walking babies, seniors drinking coffee and chatting in the outdoor cafes, community teenagers enjoying the safety of a fun place to gather, and some tourists ( like us) taking advantage of the beautiful weather and exploring and enjoying the shopping and culinary treats.

On my first night there, I discovered the L.A.Creamery ( http://www.lacreamery.com/)  which hosted an array of  homemade all organic ice cream. I thought I was in heaven, and it was love at first bite.

Despite tasting a sample of many of the exotic flavors and delicious choices,  I stuck to the fresh berry ( organic blueberry and strawberry ) ice cream that was laced with the right touch of exotic rose water. I had it 4 nights in a row ( thank goodness for the 10 block walk up and back).

Yum.. fresh berry and cream ice cream

Berdi ( our helpful and very friendly server at the Creamery)



Day 1 of vacation still sticking to my diet

Day 20 of vacation eating my ice cream  

This is the closest I got to a celebrity

Mujadara- A Traditional Egyptian Recipe- Lentils, Rice, and Caramelized Onions

Make traditional Egyptian mujadara with lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. This heart-healthy plant-based Middle Eastern dish is vegan, gluten-free, and made with simple pantry staples.

Mujadara ( pronounced moo-ga-dara in Egypt) or (pronounced Meh-je-dera in Lebanon) is a delicious, yet simple, Middle Eastern classic entree made with  brown lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. 

My Mother-In-Law's Recipe

This mujadara recipe comes from my mother-in-law, who was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. She lived there until the age of 49, surrounded by generations of family, culture, and food traditions. In the late 1960s, political unrest and rising religious persecution made it unsafe for Jewish families to remain, and she was forced to leave the only home she had ever known.

She escaped Egypt with her husband and five children, ranging in age from six months to seventeen years. Like many refugees, they arrived in the United States with very little — leaving behind their homes, money and possessions — but she brought her family’s traditional recipes that she knew by heart. 

While building a new life in New Jersey, learning English, and working multiple jobs, she continued to cook the foods that connected her to her past, her culture, and her memories of home.

Mujadara is one of those recipes. Naturally gluten-free and vegan, this simple dish made with lentils, rice, and caramelized onions is both nourishing and satisfying. It’s a complete plant-based protein and a good source of fiber, iron, and essential minerals, making it a healthy, affordable, and comforting meal that has been enjoyed for generations.

I served this tasty recipe last week with a large wedge of plain steamed red cabbage (which was fabulous too- I love cabbage) doused with a generous splash of fresh lime.

Use any kind of rice that you like: 

Choose your rice: Brown rice, white rice, or basmati. 

Personally, I used brown rice in this recipe.

It's all made in one pan and is quick and easy. It is a frugal, yet healthy recipe that fed the peasants but is fit for a king. 

Ingredients:

1 cup brown lentils, cleaned and washed

1 and 1/2 cup rice

Vegetable broth or 2 Tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing.

2 onions, sliced and caramelized

2 teaspoons of cumin seeds or ground cumin (or more to taste)

4 and 1/2 cups water (or vegetable broth)

optional: pinch of cinnamon (I prefer not)

salt and pepper to taste.

1/2 cup chopped parsley to decorate

Directions:

In a large dutch oven type of pan, sauté the onions in oil (or water) on slow until they are reddish and caramelized. Add lentils and rice on top of the caramelized onions and allow to toast a little;  stir or toss frequently for about 5 minutes Add cumin and water (or broth) bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer covered on low until rice and lentils are soft. (about 1/2 hour) Add salt and pepper to taste and cinnamon if desired. 

Instant Pot Version: Here

MY NOTES:

1. Add the salt after the lentils are soft; some say if you add the salt in the beginning, it will keep the lentils from softening up.  Top with chopped parsley.

2, ** I have learned I can sauté the onions without oil over a high heat for a few minutes, stirring continuously, and then add 1/4 cup of water or broth and allow to simmer on a very low flame until onions are soft and reddish color (saves a lot of calories and fat)

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Food is my passion. I am gluten intolerant, busy. and strive for a healthy balanced lifestyle. It has taken me many years to develop and discover easy healthy recipes that meet gluten free, vegan, and real food standards. On my blog I share my journey, my struggles, my discoveries, and my new recipes. I hope you find ideas, resources, and recipes that will be helpful to you. Come Back soon.

Author: Judee Algazi

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Green Goddess Hummus

What's different about this hummus?  It's not hard to notice that it is green.
 Don't let the healthy, rich in chlorophyll color  deter you from eating it.
It doesn't taste green. It tastes light and delicious.

Hummus is a great snack because it is high in protein and  when its made using tahini ( sesame seed paste) it is also rich in calcium.This hummus is made with parsley, fresh garlic, green scallions, and red onion. In addition, the garlic and red onion provide antioxidants which help build the immune system. Despite all the onions, it still has a mild flavor.

The recipe calls for cooked chick peas. Normally, I would just open a can, but lately I have been reading about how the lining of the cans contain a harmful chemical called BPA.

Read This:
The following quoted paragraph is from an article published in Bloomberg Businessweek :

"TUESDAY, May 18 (HealthDay News) -- Bisphenol A (BPA), a common chemical used in the metal linings of some canned foods, poses a serious health threat to consumers and should be banned, a new report claims. BPA is ubiquitous in plastic products, found in baby bottles and sippy cups, and it has come under scrutiny in recent years, with studies linking it to a host of health and developmental problems. This latest research looked at its presence in the metal linings of canned foods. "

OK, I already knew about watching for BPA in plastics , but after reading that article, I knew I was ready to get rid of the few cans I use too ( mostly for beans and chopped tomatoes)

So, for the first time, I actually cooked my own chickpeas for this recipe. It was really easy and had way less salt ( in fact no salt).

This is how I made the chick peas. I just soaked the dry organic chick peas overnight. ( come on that's easy) Then in the morning, I drained them, put them in the crock pot, ( EASY)  Covered them with water, added a teaspoon of dry ginger ( don't know why) just for flavor and cooked them on low for about 8 hours. Took them out, drained them and they were ready to use to make hummus.

OK, I had to think in advance, but it really was easy, less expensive, and healthier.

Ingredients;
Recipe 2 cups chick peas, cooked
1/2 - 3/4 cup parsley
3/4 -1 cup tahini ( depending on how creamy you like it) available in health food stores and supermarkets
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup green scallions, chopped
Juice of two limes ( or lemons)
2 cloves fresh raw garlic, chopped fine
1 tsp. cumin ( or more to taste)
1/2 tsp. coriander ( or more to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
( I also added Trader Joe's 21 Salute which is a saltless spice mixture)

Place all ingredients in food processor or strong blender and process until smooth

This recipe is shared on the following blog carnivals which you can click to see lots of delicious recipes ( not all are gluten free)

Is Your Microwave Leaking Radiation ?

Healthy Lifestyle Awareness

Microwave ovens are sealed so they don't leak radiation. However, sometimes the seals break and that means that you may be exposed to unsafe levels of radiation every time you use your microwave and not even know it.

According to Bottom Line Magazine there is a simple test that you can do to see if your microwave is leaking.

Supposedly, a cell phone cannot recieve a signal in a microwave that is sealed properly.
So, here is the test.

• Take your cell phone and place it in your microwave.
• Close the door, but DO NOT turn the microwave on.
• Go to another phone and call your cell phone
• If it rings, it means the seal of your microwave is broken because signals are getting through
• If it doesn't ring, it means your microwave seal is tight and signals cannot get through.

Why do we care? Well , according to Bottom Line Magazine when you use a microwave with a broken seal, higher levels of radiation than acceptable are released in your kitchen and everyone who is in your kitchen is exposed.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is for informational purposes only. Please try this test at your own risk. We are just passing on information that we read.