Organic Granny

Recently I heard that a family member in her early 50s was being seen by a doctor for DVT and that she was hoping that there was a more natural way of dealing with it than the medications her doctor was prescribing. When I had digested this scrap of family ''information,'' I thought about my own lax position (denial, really) and how it would make sense for me to make some changes in my life while I still have some shreds of health and potential fitness. And, of course, I have inherited my mother's compulsive pop reading habit (in my case, the Internet mostly). So, I decided to research and write an article that would incorporate some preventative and alternative health principles into my life that might make DVT somewhat less likely to catch up with me than is likely the case now. I would also like to see our family member above and others benefit from these principles if they decide that they want to. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a critical health concern that af

Gluten-free stove top stuffing-- a delish nosh bowl along with sauerkraut salad, hummus, broccoli, and kimchee.  The recipe for a plant-based gluten-free stovetop stuffing came about when I was using a little poultry seasoning in what I hoped would be a yummy savory quinoa flour waffle. For some reason, the waffle stuck to the iron (grrr) but I tasted the mess and it was quite lovely.  I filed the idea away for some sort of dish containing quinoa flour and poultry seasoning. After making a series of recipes for whole wheat crockpot bread and quinoa GF crockpot bread , I ended up with a heel of quinoa bread about five days old, needing some rescue recipe (too good to throw out or to allow to mold). Tonight was the night. INGREDIENTS FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE STUFFING RECIPE (Serves 4) The heel of a small heavy, soft  loaf of quinoa bread: about 4 slices + end/crust piece 1 cup of veggie broth (or like-chicken vegan broth) 1/2 cup toasted quinoa flour 3 tablespoons of coconut oil or margerine

 I made this yummy apple-raisin quick bread this morning and unfortunately, my husband and I have practically eaten the whole thing before I thought of how useful it would be to get the recipe down here. I'm sorry. I know it would have been nice to have seen the whole loaf. Maybe the next time I make it (there will be a next time) I will remember to photograph the whole loaf. In the meantime, here is the recipe: INGREDIENTS : 3 cups of self-raising flour (see below) 2 cups (16 oz) apple sauce, sweetened l teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 1/2 to 1 cup Thompson's raisins (or other raisins) Canadians don't often use self-raising flour. It is so handy to have on hand for biscuits, and the like. Here is a recipe: For every one cup of flour (all-purpose), use 1 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. I want to make 6 cups of self-raising flour so include: 6 cups of flour, 9 teaspoons of baking powder, and 3 teaspoons of salt. I whisked the above well and stored the ad

  This delicious chia seed pudding is made the night before (takes about 5 minutes after you assemble the ingredients) and popped in the fridge for breakfast. This particular pudding includes both non-dairy milk AND non-dairy yogurt (usually coconut, bought or home-made).  It is extra creamy! It really does taste like blueberry pie-- it even has a sprinkle of oats and maybe some almond crumbs or hempseeds as a 'crust'.  The chia seeds soak overnight, so there is no danger of coming across a hard one. Be sure to mix everything well before adding the oat topping and lid and popping in the fridge. This recipe makes 3 to 6 servings, depending on how big your servings are. This is a super high fibre pudding, so be sure to drink some water before and throughout the morning. INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons Chia Seed 1 cup Non-dairy Milk (We like Silk Coconut Milk or Almond or Soy-- everyone has their favorites) 1 cup Non-dairy Yogurt 1 cup (or more) fresh Blueberries (or other favorite fres

Oat-based vegan cheese sauce Here is a delicious, healthy Mac and cheese recipe, particularly important for those following a diet geared for low fat heart health.  Besides no dairy, this Cheesy dish contains no poured oils and no seeds or nuts in this recipe! Check your pantry for the following and you are ready to go: Oat flakes (gluten-free, if needed), corn or tapioca starch, nutritional yeast, half a red pepper, salt pepper, a half a lemon (or apple cider vinegar will do) and some Mexican spices if you so wish. Also either onion powder or a half an onion (chopped), liquid smoke (optional, but I use a capful) and a blender . Now go here to the recipe from Mrs. Plant in Texas and get all the measures of the ingredients used. We have been enjoying this quick and easy sauce over pasta, broccoli and cooked other vegetables, and punched up with a little more heat, as a dip.  I know you will enjoy it too!

  Yes, yes, yes... I am a beaner (mostly vegan, lovin' legumes) and I also love the cocoa bean-- soooooo.... when I ran across a recipe for "cookie dough dip" made with garbanzo beans AND chocolate chips... well, you know, I just had to give it a go.    And it turns out, it is delisssssshhh.  Yum yum yum yum.Now, notching incongruous innovation up just a bit, have you ever imagined what dipping cookie dough with a potato chip might be like?  Yeah, well, so did I. And I found the perfect light, but vaguely-reminiscent-of-wafer potato chip-- Kettle Bakes in the very simple but elegant SEA SALT (plus sliced potato and sunflower oil) flavour. Not sure where these potato bakes can be purchased now. Into your food processor (one that will really do the job of creaming this cookie dough, such as a Cuisinart) put: INGREDiENTS *1 1/2 C. (250 g) canned  Garbanzo Beans  / Chick Peas (well-rinsed) *1/4 C.  Almond Butter  (I used Maranatha Raw Almond Butter) *2 tsp.  Vanilla  (I used

  In today's gluten-free, plant-based variation of conventional banana loaf --"psylly-banana-raisin-walnut" loaf-- I use psyllium seed as a binder, and 1/2 cup of millet flour in place of the original recope's quinoa flour.  Psyllium husk is a great Replacer for the egg .  And as a source of healing for the gut, psyllium is a good starting ingredient for people with gluten-intolerance.  It can help reduce the symptoms of both constipation and diarrhea.   But when you are taking in psyllium, it is important to also take in sufficient fluids: milled psyllium husk has the potential to attract around 10X its weight in water and expands in a like proportion, so as with any dietary fibre, be sure to drink lots of water during the day (although not necessarily at the time you are eating).   Psyllium also does not have any pronounced flavour, which is a real bonus I think.  One simple gluten-free recipe that I have come across that uses psyllium is this video recipe for Ameri