Healthy Recipe: Onion Chickpea Curry Dip

This recipe is another family favorite. It's a variation of a recipe I got out of the cookbook Raw Energy, and with a few modifications and ingredient switches, we all love it! It has a little bit of a zing to it (thanks, onion!) and the texture is so creamy. 

If you love Indian, you'll love this dip on chips, with veggies, or even spread on a sandwich! (If you don't love Indian, you could always swap out the spices and try another variation without the curry!)

Onion Chickpea Curry Dip

1 cup raw cashews

1/3 cup raw onion, roughly chopped

1 can garbanzo beans, drained

the juice of 1 lemon

2.5 TB coconut oil

1 tsp sweet curry powder

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. 

Store in a tightly sealed container for up to one week. 

Enjoy! 

Healthy Recipe: Coconut Balls

These coconut balls are incredibly delicious and surprisingly healthy. They are gluten-free, dairy free, sugar free, and egg free… making them the perfect treat for just about everybody!

This recipe is a family original and has become a family favorite as well. We recently made these for our daughter's first birthday party and they were a huge hit. Enjoy!

Healthy Coconut Balls

2 cups raw cashews

1 cup gluten-free oats

10 pitted medjool dates

1 1/2 TB coconut oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup maple syrup

Combine all the ingredients except the maple syrup in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped and mixed together. Turn the processor on low and pour in the maple syrup. The consistency should be a little sticky. If it appears too dry, add more maple syrup as needed. Once the maple syrup is added, let the processor run on a medium speed for about a minute, until the mixture is thoroughly combined. Scoop out and roll into balls. 

Variation: Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup cocoa powder for a delicious chocolate version!

Gluten Free Area Expanding at Apple Wellness!

Our daughter, Rosemary, was diagnosed with gluten intolerance shortly after she was born. Since then, our whole family has embraced a diet without gluten.

We had always carried a variety of gluten-free items at our store, but suddenly it became much more personal. We began to research brands and try out new gluten-free products, implementing them into our daily diet. We had been wanting to greatly expand the gluten-free area at Apple Wellness, and this was just the push we needed to actually do it. We have discovered great tasting breads, crackers, pizza crusts, and snacks that are totally gluten-free and we would even go as far as to say that they taste better than their gluten counterparts!

Our vision is to become the best gluten-free friendly store in the Madison area. We have expanded our gluten-free area and will continue to bring in new products over the next few months. Some of the brands we carry include:

Sami's Bakery
Enjoy Life
Luci's Cookies
Tinkyada
Kinnikinnick Bakery
Udi's
Annie's
Blue Diamond
...and more!

Stop by and check out our gluten-free area! Mention this e-mail to receive 40% off one of our new favorite snacks:

Plentils Chips by Enjoy Life

Please stop by to take a look, and let us know if there is anything you would like to see in our gluten-free area!

Apple Video: Curamin Rocks.

Got Pain? Curamin Rocks. Check it out!

Product Review: Acure Organics Day Cream

Acure Organics is definitely my new favorite skin and hair care line, but my favorite within this favorite is for sure the Chamomile + Carrot Day Cream. I have recommended this day cream more in the past two months than any other product - ever.

This cream smells great, absorbs well, and makes my skin feel incredibly soft and moisturized. It contains Gotu Kola Stem cells that have been proven to firm skin and help protect it against day-to-day life. It also contains Chlorella, an ingredient shown to support collagen and elastin fibers.

I've been putting this on daily for the past three months and my face has never felt brighter, clearer, or healthier.

Mention you saw this recommendation to get 15% off your next purchase of Acure Organics Camomile + Carrot Day Cream. I think you'll love it, too!

Recipe: Apple "Sandwiches"

(image source)

Try this delicious alternative to breakfast toast! Core and slice an apple into thin disks, spread with your favorite nut butter, and sprinkle with gluten-free oats, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, or even chocolate chips!

Delicious! We make ours open-faced and our favorite filling is peanut butter with coconut flakes!

Gluten-free is delicious.

 Our youngest employee (in training).

Go Green: VegeGreens Protein

(Image/Copy Source)

VegeGreens® is a brand new product at Apple Wellness and a great way to get your daily greens. It is a combination of over 60 vegetables, as well as super green foods, EFAs, pre and probiotics, enzymes and herbal extracts. VegeGreens supplies an amazing spectrum of nutrients ranging from the rare trace minerals found in sea vegetables to the health-enhancing compounds exclusive to cruciferous vegetables. Each scoop provides the nutrient equivalent of 6 to 8 servings of fresh vegetables!

One tasty way to use VegeGreens is by combining it with your favorite fruits to make a green smoothie.

Go Green! Smoothie Recipe

 (Image Source)

Celebrate Earth Week with a delicious Go Green! Smoothie!

Green smoothies are a delicious way to start your day. It's easy to make any smoothie a green smoothie simply by adding a handful of organic spinach, collard greens, or kale leaves to your favorite smoothie combo. The fruit and other ingredients mask the flavor of the greens, so it's a great way to include dark, leafy veggies in your daily diet. The liquid form improves your body's ability to digest the nutrients, so your body will receive a big kick of energy, mental clarity, and focus.

The benefits of green smoothies are countless! Try our favorite recipe:

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana (previously peeled and frozen)
1/2 tablespoon ground flax seed
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup frozen organic raspberries
1 cup apple or orange juice
handful of spinach, collard greens, or kale leaves

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and process until creamy.

Find another yummy recipe here!

Phormula-1

Apple Wellness is carrying a great new whey protein, Phormula-1!

Phormula-1 is the industry's leading whey protein isolate. In addition to the ultra-premium protein sources used, Phormula-1 is by far the best tasting, best mixing isolated protein on the market. Not only will you taste the difference, you will actually feel the difference immediately when you use it!

The key to Phormula-1 is it's purity: The Phormula-1 Matrix utilizes only the highest quality hydrolyzed and predigested whey protein fractions with Low-Temperature Processed Cross-Flow Micro-Filtrated Whey Protein Isolate for maximum assimilation speed and amino acid retention. Because of the select protein sources used, Phormula-1 is 100% lactose free making it ideal for people with lactose intolerance or digestive issues.

Pure whey protein isolates that are hydrolyzed and predigested are an essential part of any training and supplementation program. Phormula-1 makes an especially strong impact when used post-workout! The materials that you provide your body with post-workout determines not only the quality of muscle built, but also the rate at which that repair and growth occurs.

Make the switch and feel the difference with Phormula-1!*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

**image and copy source

February 2012 Sales!

Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrate heart health in February. Protect your heart and the heart of those you love with these great products!

All heart health products are 14% off during the month of February!!

Fish oils - Fish oils contain essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flax oils help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the incidence of cardiac arrest and death in patients with heart disease. (source)

 CoQ10 - CoQ10 is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world for heart health. It is good for maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

 Hawthorn Berry - Hawthorn Berry is used to promote the health of the circulatory system, treat angina, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia and has been found to strengthen the heart.  (source)

Olive Leaf Extract - The benefits of Olive Leaf Extract range from promoting increased energy and healthy blood pressure, to supporting the cardiovascular system and the immune system. (source)

CholestFactors - CholestFactors is a product that includes garlic, cayenne, vitamin B3, niacin, and red yeast rice. Red yeast rice been used for centuries for heart health, mainly cholesterol.

Meet Torrey Penn

We are excited to introduce you to an awesome personal trainer who we highly recommend. Torrey is offering Apple Wellness customers a free Fitness Assessment and basic overview of healthy and proper nutrition. Check out his bio below:

With over 14 years experience in weight training I have learned numerous techniques and styles that can cater to people of all ages and backgrounds. I have passion and drive to not only continuously better myself, but my clients too. I have competed on state and national levels. Preparing for a contest has helped me understand the nutritional side of things and how important it truly is. I work with each individual to come up with a personal nutrition guide based on their activities and what their goals are and will help them achieve them! The road isn't easy but the feeling of a better you inside and out is definitely worth it!!

Training Specialties:

High Intensity Training -

Build lean muscle and increase your stamina and performance for any sport by focusing on high intensity, high volume exercises with short rest periods.

Strength training / Mass Gaining -

This is achieved by establishing different routines/phases (growth, endurance, strength, etc...) that are done at appropriate times to constantly shock the body and produce great gains in strength/mass

Weight Loss/Body Transformations -

I take ground breaking combinations of timed nutritional planning, cardiovascular exercise, and weight training to start producing outstanding results in as little as a few short weeks. 

 

“I work to help every client reach their individual goals. My custom tailored programs will motivate, excel, and bring results to anyone looking to achieve greater performance, more strength or better health.”

Contact Info:

Cell: 608-345-2341

Email: torreypenn@gmail.com

Website: www.facebook.com/torrey.penn

Great Reads.

We've been reading some great articles lately. Check it out!

It's a little scary to think about what's going into highly processed foods, especially when the ingredient list contains words you don't know how to pronounce! The closer a food is to nature, the healthier it is. Read this article to hear 10 really great reasons to avoid processed foods. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-rodale/top-10-reasonsbr-to-avoid_b_1201560.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

And this article addresses the question as to whether antiperspirants boost the risk of breast cancer. It's a great read - check it out! 

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2012/01/13/do-antiperspirants-boost-risk-of-breast-cancer/

Berry Bliss Oat Squares.

Berry Bliss Oat Squares

taken from Oh She Glows

Vegan, soy-free, refined-sugar free, no added fat,
and can be made gluten-free if you use GF oats.

Adapted from Susan.

Yield: 12 squares

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 ripe banana, chopped
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp warm water
• 3 cups regular oatmeal, divided
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp (6oz) unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup  + 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 375F and line a 8inch square pan with two pieces of parchment paper.
In a small bowl mix together cornstarch with warm water to form a paste.
Make sure all clumps are gone. Set aside.

2. Berry Filling: In a small saucepan, combine the berries, banana, and maple syrup.
Bring to a boil and stir well. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and the pre-mixed cornstarch.
Whisk until all clumps are gone and set aside.

3. Base: Place 1.5 cups of oats into a food processor and process until a flour/fine
powder forms. Add this processed flour, remaining 1.5 cup of oats, baking powder,
and salt into large bowl. Stir. Now add in the wet ingredients (applesauce, maple syrup, water,
vanilla) and mix well. Pour 2/3 of the batter into the prepared pan and push down firmly with fingers to smooth out. Grab the prepared berry filling and spread over the top of the oat base until smooth. Now crumble the remaining oat base mixture on top.

4. Bake for 30 mins. at 375F or until the top is slightly golden and firm.
Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before cutting into squares.

Product Review: Blue Diamond Nut Chips

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"They're made from brown rice, California almonds and a splash of sea salt to bring out the crunchy flavor, so you can indulge your snack chip craving without compromising your desire to eat smart. Sea Salt Baked Nut Chips contain no saturated fat, no cholesterol, no MSG, no wheat or gluten.* And with 22 grams of whole-grain goodness, what's not to love? They're ideal for people managing celiac disease and for those eating a vegan diet, but their crowd-pleasing flavor makes Sea Salt Baked Nut Chips perfect for everyone who enjoys guilt-free snacking or simply likes a great-tasting chip!" 

(product description taken from Blue Diamond's website)

I have a new favorite snack.

These baked nut chips from Blue Diamond are amazing and completely addicting. My favorite flavor is sea salt, but Tim loves their nacho cheese crackers. As a vegan, I appreciate really tasty dairy-free snacks and the fact that their ingredients are GMO free, as well as grown in the US, makes this treat even tastier.

These chips taste good with hummus, dipped in peanut butter, with salsa, or plain. I eat them for breakfast, with lunch, and often for "dessert". (Yup, they're yummy enough to be classified as a dessert!)

Raw Cashew Dreamcake.

Raw Cashew Dreamcake

taken from My New Roots

This amazing recipe has become a family favorite. We have tried many variations, including pumpkin and almond and chocolate. It's completely delicious no matter how you make it. The best part about it is that it is actually a very healthy dessert, and you can eat a huge slice without worrying about calories. Gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, and raw. Yum! Enjoy!

Raw Cashew Dreamcake
Ingredients:
Crust:
1/2 cup raw almonds (pecan or walnuts will also work)
1/2 cup soft Medjool dates
¼ tsp. sea salt

Filling:
1 ½ cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 5 hours, overnight is best
juice of 2 lemons
the seeds of 1 whole vanilla bean (or 1 tsp. alcohol-free vanilla extract)
1/3 cup raw coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup raw honey (solid or liquid.)(Vegans use agave nectar.)
1 cup raspberries (thaw completely if using frozen)

Directions:
1. Place nuts and dates in a food processor with sea salt and pulse to chop until they are to your desired fineness (process a finer crust longer than a chunky one). Test the crust by spooning out a small amount of mixture and rolling it in your hands. If the ingredients hold together, your crust is perfect. Scoop out crust mixture in a 7” spring-form pan (if you don’t have a spring-form pan, use a pie plate lined with saran wrap), and press firmly, making sure that the edges are well packed and that the base is relatively even throughout. Rinse food processor well.

2. Warm coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan on low heat until liquid. Whisk to combine.
 

3. In the most powerful food processor / blender you own (you decide which one has the most torque) place all filling ingredients (except raspberries) and blend on high until very smooth (this make take a couple minutes so be patient). If you have a Vita-Mix, absolutely use it.
 

4. Pour about 2/3 (just eyeball it, you can’t make a mistake!) of the mixture out onto the crust and smooth with a spatula. Add the raspberries to the remaining filling and blend on high until smooth. Pour onto the first layer of filling. Place in freezer until solid.
 

5. To serve, remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to eating. Run a smooth, sharp knife under hot water and cut into slices. Serve on its own, or with fresh fruit. Store leftovers in the freezer (what leftovers?).

For more yummy recipes visit:

www.mynewroots.blogspot.com