Hoff Hit: Say No To Green Peppers

There so many peppers to choose from - green, yellow, orange and red.  Which to choose, which to choose.  Well, I can tell you which not to choose, the green one.  Why?  Well, technically, it's unripe.  Yep, those yellow, orange and red peppers were once green peppers, but they were allowed to mature.  The problem with the green is that due to their unripeness, they are harder on the digestive system.  Don't be hard on your digestive system.

Personally, I go for the red ones - sweeter and packed full of Vitamin C!

Hoff's Seitan Stew (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Seitan Stew (Instant Pot)
Yields: 6-8 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. Veggie Broth
• 16 oz. Seitan (cubed)
• 5-6 Baby Potatoes (quartered)
• 3 large Carrots (chopped)
• 1 15 oz. can Green Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz. can Organic Corn (rinsed & drained)
• 1 medium Sweet Onion (chopped)
• 2 tbsp. Arrowroot
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 tbsp. Vegan Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 tbsp. Dried Onion
• 1 tbsp. Tomato Paste
• 1 tbsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Dissolve Arrowroot in a few tablespoons of Water, set aside
2. Add all ingredients, including dissolved Arrowroot to the pot & stir to combine
3. Close & lock lid
4. Set Pressure Valve to Sealing
5. Select Manual setting, High Pressure & set for 10 minutes
6. Manually release pressure
7. Remove Bay Leaves

Hoff Thoughts: You want just enough liquid to cover the ingredients, if you don't have enough, just add some Water.

Momentary Musings

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Soul :) Smile 12 Month Customizable Calendar

The ever popular Soul :) Smile series comes to life with this stunning 12 month wall calendar.  

Just in time for the holidays!

Featuring 12 high gloss, full-color photos capturing the essence of animals that will make your soul smile month after month.

• Customizable: choose start month & year
• Full-size: pages measure 11" x 8.5"; calendar measures 11" x 17" when hung on wall
• High quality: 100 lb cover weight high gloss paper, wire-o bound
• Full-color printing

Pick one up for yourself and the special people in your life!

Momentary Musings

Hoff's Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot)
Yields: 4-5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 1 small bag Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes (about 1.5 pounds) or Yukon Gold
• 2 cups Water
• 4 Garlic Cloves
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tbsp. Dried Onion
• 1-2 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Cut Potatoes in half or quarters depending on size
2. Place in Instant Pot, add Garlic & Water
3. Set Manual setting at High Pressure for 10 minutes
4. Manually release steam
5. Add Nutritional Yeast, Dried Onion & Sea Salt
6. Using a Potato Masher, mash Potatoes & Garlic right in the pot using the leftover Potato Water as the liquid

Hoff Thoughts: I use Baby Yellow Potatoes because they naturally have a rich, buttery flavor and therefore additional fake butter is not needed. 

Hoff's Balsamic Brussels

Hoff's Balsamic Brussels
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Brussels Sprouts
• 1/2 cup Water or Broth
• 2 tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp. Stone Ground Mustard
• Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Prepare the Brussels by cutting off the end and quartering
2. In a medium pot, place Brussels, Water/Broth & a pinch of Sea Salt, cover and cook on high for 8 minutes
3. Transfer Brussels to a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat
4. Coat with Balsamic, Maple Syrup & Mustard, cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until desired consistency is reached, stirring occasionally as the Sauce caramelizes
5. Finish dish with Sea Salt

Hoff Thoughts: Did you know that Brussels Sprouts got their name from, well, Brussels where they were cultivated in Belgium as early as the 16^th century.  These mini cabbage-like guys are said to improve digestive health.  And if you're fortunate enough to find these little ones still stuck to their stalk, stick the end in some water to prolong their life - they also tend to be cheaper this way.

Hoff's Dump Minestrone Soup

Hoff's Dump Minestrone Soup
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free
 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• Water
• 1 15 oz. can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz.can sliced Carrots (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz.can Corn (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz.can Bean of choice (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15oz can Tomato Sauce
• 1 15oz can Diced Tomatoes (seasoned)
• 2 cups small Whole Wheat Pasta
• 1-2 small Onions (chopped)
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 2-3 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot on medium-high heat, soften Onions, add Garlic & stir for 30 seconds to prevent burning
2. Add Veggie Broth & Tomato Sauce & all ingredients except Water & Pasta
3. Add just enough Water to cover all the veggies, may need no Wate
4. Bring to a boil
5. Add Pasta, cook according to package directions
6. Serve!

Hoff Thoughts: This recipes comes together quickly because it's considered a Dump recipe, meaning, no measuring, little cutting - just dump the ingredients in & go!

I Got A New Toy: The Instant Pot!!!

I have a new crush!  This time it's on my brand new Instant Pot!!!

Like all new relationships, I was pretty nervous at first.  Frankly, pressure cookers scare the hell out of me.  Like they just explode for no reason right?  Not so much, new pressure cookers are quite safe these days. Especially the Instant Pot which is pretty dummy proof, even for a newbie & sports 10 safety features just to ease one's mind.

So, what is an Instant Pot?  Well, it's like a pressure cooker on steroids. This is not your grandma's relic from the dark ages, this baby's got skills!

Check this out.

The new 2014 3rd Generation model is 7 cookers in 1!  It has a Bean/Chili setting, Rice setting, Yogurt setting, Soup Setting, Grain setting, Meat/Stew and Poultry setting (if you're into that sort of thing).  It can also be used as a Slow Cooker, to Steam or to Sauté/Brown.  So basically this one machine just replaced your bean cooker, rice cooker, steamer, crock pot and frying pan.  That's a lot of cabinet space.  The Keep Warm setting, well keeps things warm.  There's even a Timer that allows you to preset the cooker to start and stop so a hot meal is waiting for you once you arrive home.  Basically, you can cook an entire meal in one pot; I love that!

But what sealed the deal for me was the stainless steel pot - no non-stick chemicals!

I'm just getting started with this baby, but I do have a few recipes cooking which will be featured under Recipes: Instant Pot.

Some great resources that have really helped me get my bearings with pressure cooking have been:

• The Instant Pot site's Cooking Time Charts

• Instant Pot's YouTube Channel

• The InstaPot users group- G-BOMBS - the nuts and bolts of Eating to LIVE Facebook page following the Fuhrman way of eating

• The Veggie Queen

If you're looking for Christmas ideas either for yourself or someone else...this one's a winner!

Check it out!

Check out this video to learn more about this talented machine.

Wha Me Eat - Macka B OFFICIAL VIDEO

Check out this video snack!

Hoff's Corn Soup

Hoff's Corn Soup
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz. can Organic Corn (rinsed & drained) (1/3 cup reserved)
• 1 15 oz. can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained) (1/3 cup reserved)
• 1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients (minus reserved Corn & Potatoes) in a Vitamix and blend on high for 6 minutes
2. If using a traditional blender, blend until smooth and then heat as usual
3. Add reserved Corn & Potatoes and stir to combine
4. May need to be heated additionally on the stove to warm the added Corn & Potatoes

Momentary Musings

Soul :) Smile 12 Month Customizable Calendar

The ever popular Soul :) Smile series comes to life with this stunning 12 month wall calendar.  

Just in time for the holidays!

Featuring 12 high gloss, full-color photos capturing the essence of animals that will make your soul smile month after month.

• Customizable: choose start month & year
• Full-size: pages measure 11" x 8.5"; calendar measures 11" x 17" when hung on wall
• High quality: 100 lb cover weight high gloss paper, wire-o bound
• Full-color printing

Pick one up for yourself and the special people in your life!

Toasted Seed Salad Topper

Toasted Seed Salad Topper
Yields: About 3 cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 1 cup Sesame Seeds
• 1 cup Sunflower Seeds
• 1 cup Raisins
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp.Onion Powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp. Cumin
• 1 tbsp. Chili Powder

Directions:

1. Bring a non-stick pan to medium-high heat
2. Toast Sesame & Sunflower Seeds, stirring until Seeds become fragrant and begin to pop, turning a golden color
3. Turn off heat
4. Stir in Raisins & Seasonings until well combined
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool

Hoff Thoughts: This will keep well in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the cupboard for a few months.  Can also be used to enhance rice dishes or anything that needs a little boost.

Hoff's Cranberry Orange Juice

Hoff's Cranberry Orange Juice
Yields: About 6 cups

Ingredients:

• 3 Seedless Oranges - peeled and sectioned
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen Cranberries
• 6 Ice Cubes
• 1 1/2 cups Water
• 2 tbsp. Honey (sweeten to taste)
• 3 tsp. Sugar (sweeten to taste)

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to blender
2. Blend for 1 minute for pulp-free (30 seconds for pulp)
3. Serve immediately

Hoff Thoughts:  A Vitamix was used for this recipe; results may vary with a traditional blender.  More or less sweeteners may be needed depending on the sweetness of the Oranges and tartness of the Cranberries.

Thank You

Top 3 Myths Vegans Have About Nutrition: Dr. Michael Greger

Enjoy this video snack!

Hot Apple Cider Tea - Please & Thank You

Autumn is upon us and I just discovered Republic of Tea's Hot Apple Cider Herbal Tea.  Let me tell you friends, it is beyond delightful.  This is not your typical, run-of-the-mill tea.

This naturally-caffeine tea contains: apple pieces, cinnamon, orange peel, rose hips, berry leave, natural apple flavor, ginger root, cloves, natural lemon flavor, citric acid, cardamom seeds.

Its aroma fills the room with the comforting scent of warm apples.  While good alone, I like to sweeten with a hit of sugar & honey.  It's not exactly cider, think of it as cider lite.

Just one more way to savor all that autumn brings and chase off a chill.

Or get a little creative in the kitchen; dump the contents of one tea bag into Hoff's Pumpkin Pancakes or Hoff's Ginger Molasses Cookies to take these recipes to the next level.

But don't procrastinate, once the season passes, this tea blows away likes leaves in the wind.

Check it out!

Make The Most Of Brushing Your Teeth!

Thanks to electric toothbrushes, we've all been trained to brush our teeth for 2 minutes - 30 seconds for each four zones of the mouth.  You could just stand there and stare at your face in the mirror or you could create killer calves. That's right, while I'm polishing my pearly whites, I'm also doing calf raises.

Use your free hand to steady yourself using the counter and...

First 30 seconds, feet facing forward











Second 30 seconds, feet pointed slightly in













Third 30 seconds, feet pointed slightly out

Last 30 seconds, feet facing forward (and feel the burn)

That's it!  Now spit, rinse & shake those calves out.

Adopt a Turkey Today!

The President isn't the only person who can pardon a turkey this Thanksgiving!

Adopt a turkey or 2 today!!!

 

 

Sponsored by Farm Sanctuary

Hoff's Caramel Apple Smoothie

Hoff's Caramel Apple Smoothie
Yields: About 7 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free
RawTill4 Compliant

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pitted Dates
• 3-4 Golden Delicious Apples
• 2 frozen Bananas
• 1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
• 1 tsp. All Spice or Pumpkin Spice
• Cold Water

Directions:

1. Place Dates in a high-speed blender (Vitamix)
2. Add just enough Water to cover
3. Let soak for about 20-30 minutes
4. Rough chop Apples and add to blender
5. Add Bananas
6. Add Chia Seeds & Spice
7. Fill with cold Water just until 1/2" of food is left exposed
8. Blend until smooth & well combined

Hoff's 1 to 5 Dressing

Hoff's 1 to 5 Dressing
Yields: 2.5 oz. or enough for 4 handfuls of greens
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar (flavored optional)
• 1 tbsp. Braggs
• 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp. Mustard (flavored optional)
• 1 tbsp. Tahini

Directions:

1. In a small jar, dump all ingredients, screw on lid and shake, shake, shake
2. Drizzle 2 tsp. of dressing over a handful of salad greens, pair 1 tbsp. nut of choice and 1 tbsp. dried fruit of choice

Hoff Thoughts: Times this recipe by 5 (keep Tahini at 2 tbsp.) to get enough dressing to last 2 people for at least 5 days.

It's a beautiful day! A short animation about Mindfulness.

Check out this video snack!

Event: 2014 Happy Trails Compassionate Thanksgiving Dinner

2014 Happy Trails Animal Farm Sanctuary 

Compassionate Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner

 an animal-friendly (vegan) event

Proceeds to support the rescue and outreach programs of Happy Trails!

When: Saturday - November 8, 2014
Where: Todaro's Party Center: 1820 Akron-Peninsula Rd. Akron, OH
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Cost: $55 (advance purchase required) VIP Upgrade $95 (includes 4pm-5pm Cocktail hour)