Elimination Diet - Sesame Sticky Green Beans

On a mission to make HEALTHY DELICIOUS - I found a couple of recipes and made it my own using ingredients I have on hand.

A healthy switch from the traditional holiday gathering green bean casserole swimming in condensed cream of mushroom soup...if you don't already know what's in that canned product you probably don't want to know, unless you are trying to take steps towards getting more healthy.

Sesame Sticky Green Beans
1.5 - 2 lbs. fresh green beans
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted

2 tsp. sesame oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1" fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

1 T. raw, organic Wholesome agave nectar (or honey)
2 tsp. nutritional yeast

Prep ahead of time for a fast dish on a holiday morning.
Green Beans: Trim off the vine end, cut in half. Wash beans and allow to dry in metal mesh colander overnight.
Sesame Seeds: toast the sesame seeds in a dry, small stainless steel pan the night prior and set aside.

30 minutes before serving.

Saute the onion, garlic and ginger in a large, covered skillet until onions are translucent and your kitchen smells heavenly! Stir in agave nectar, honey may be substituted.

Add in the green beans, and pour 2 T. of Bragg's Liquid Aminos over the top. Add nutritional yeast. Stirring to coat the beans with onion mixture and honey. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove lid to allow the liquid to evaporate. Continue to simmer until beans are al dente.  Toss sesame seeds gently with the beans, and transfer to a platter or bowl to serve. Enjoy!

These beans had rave reviews at Easter dinner, and I am sure your famly will enjoy green beans with a taste of the East.

May you feel great, look great, and live great!
Rita S.

Last Words "It Is Finished"

TRINITY by Greg Landretti

For the past several weeks our place of worship has been doing a series of a messages on the Last Words of Christ. One message in particular, on March 23rd, was especially moving. Pastor Matt Metzger talked about the true meaning of GRACE, and the ultimate victory that the crucifixion of Jesus brings to mankind.
As Matt described what the words, "IT IS FINISHED", uttered by Jesus, and what those words mean for us, I doodled on my church bulletin. I had hoped to create an Easter greeting card, but that didn't  happen.
However, a new display of art by Black Earth artist Greg Landretti at Crossroads Coffeehouse in Cross Plains, WI is a wonderful illustration of grace.The outstretched arms of Christ...the wash of red symbolizing the blood of the Lamb being shed for our transgressions. Jesus' death gives all believers atonement, so that we can move forward and onward from our past. It gives us VICTORY over death!

What is FINISHED?
S in
P ain
A gony
R emorse
E mbarrassment/Shame
D espair

When we ask Christ into our hearts, return to the Father Creator, and allow the Spirit to work within us...we experience the Trinity. God is not dead, He is most definitely alive in each of us, once we make the decision and ask Him to be present.
Greg named his sculpture "Trinity". Inspired by a twig Greg found while hiking...how many times do we see a Y shaped twig and think of Jesus dying on the cross for our transgressions? Me... not once. God was at work here.   I absolutely love this sculpture...check it out if you visit Crossroads. (Greg has a series on steel metal sculptures, unique and interesting, depicting emotions, challenges, etc.)
"It Is Finished"  (John 19:30) declares from the cross that DEATH is finished. It has lost its sting for VICTORY over death is the hope that all believers hang onto, it is what brings us true joy...no matter what life throws at us.
On this, my favorite of all holidays, it is my wish that you find true joy in your heart...because like that broken twig, God the Father is ready to heal the broken pieces of your life when you accept the gift of grace that Jesus gave for not only all people, but YOU.

Blessings this Easter,
Rita S.

Cancer Cure - Discovered in 1931?

I find all kinds of interesting notes when I purge...just came across this one and don't want to risk losing it, so figured I would take a spring cleaning break and post this revelation made over 80 years ago.

 "Low levels of cellular oxygen breed cancer- increasing oxygen levels kills cancerous cells. In 1931 Dr. Warburg won a Nobel Prize for proving cancer is caused by lack of oxygen respiration in the cells."

As I read this (no doubt from one of the research papers/books I studied prior to presenting the October cancer prevention workshop)  I can't help but think that if this was realized in 1931, why in the world haven't we made huge leaps and bounds in cancer prevention/cure?

Although the answer is pretty obvious to me...there is no money in finding a cure....cancer is BIG business. But I won't get into that....

There are a couple of easy, natural ways to add oxygen to your cells. Top and foremost in my mind is 
1. Consume PLANT based foods. Increasing alkaline, or plant based foods
2. Reduce acidic levels, restoring proper pH to the body. An acidic body lacks oxygen.

Other tips:

• Stay away from processed foods as much as possible.
• Sugar and artificial sweeteners, as well as refined process flours deplete oxygen from cells.
• Animal derived foods fall below neutral pH, i.e. acidic based. Ensure you consume much more plant based foods than animal. (I don't advocate soy, btw, as it has its own issues in regards to promoting health issues.)

An easy way to add oxygen rich foods to your eating plan is by consuming freshly extracted juices and blending smoothies.  If you want to learn more and live in the Cross Plains, Wisconsin area you can come learn more about each method of consuming vegetables and fruits on Sunday, May 4th at 4 p.m. at Crossroads Coffeehouse, 2080 Main St., for the first ever VEGI THROW DOWN.  Bring washed fruits and vegetables and we will make a healthy style wapatui in the juice extractors and blenders we have on hand. The goal is to get the community and peoples from the surrounding area in tune with the benefits of eating healthy. 

If you like to hike, meet in the parking lot at 2:30 for a choice of an easy hike alongside the creek, or a more vigourous, but wild flower enhanced hike, at Swamp Lovers, also known as the Table Bluff Segment of the Ice Age Trail. To find it take Hwy. 14 west out of Cross Plains, turn right on KP, and take a left on Scheele Rd. Swamp Lovers/IATA will be on your right side...park alongside the the gravel drive before the gate. Meet on location at 2:45 or car pool from the Crossroads parking lot at 2:30, after dropping your vegis/fruits off inside.

Take a DEEP BREATH for and to your health!

Rita S.