Three Grain Crackers

Three Grain Crackers

• 1 1/2 cups flour (gluten-free blend or quinoa, millet, amaranth, etc.)
• 1 cup oats, blended into flour
• 1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup ground sesame seeds
• 1 1/2 cups water for cracker consistency
• 
  

Place nuts and water in blender and mix until smooth and creamy. Place remaining ingredients into a bowl and form a well in the center. Pour the nut and water mixture into the well.

Roll dough onto a prepared cookie sheet. It should be thin. Prick with the tines of a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't overbrown!

For a non-gluten free version, use whole wheat or unbleached white flour.

Flax Seed Crackers

I just made these and they are too good not to share! A tasty way to get your fiber. 

2 cups flax seeds, ground
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup water (hot water makes rolling very easy)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix until well blended. Divide dough in half. Roll each half on a baking stone. Score into diamonds or squares. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 -18 minutes.

*I use a pizza cutter to score (cut) into crackers. No need to separate them on the baking stone.

*Alter flavorings as desired: 1 Tbsp. garlic powder; or stevia for sweetening; or 1 tsp. of your favorite dried herb.

*Golden flax seeds seems to tolerate longer baking times than regular brown ones. If you like crispy crackers, bake longer, but keep track of them as they bake.

A non-grain cracker that is a friendly gluten-free option to a traditional cracker.

Sesame Sprinkles

Sesame seeds are highly nutritious, but I assume that for most of us, they are not a staple in our diet. Research shows that they are rich in oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid that helps to lower the "bad cholesterol" in our bloodstream. Sesame seeds are also a great source of good quality plant protein. They contain anti-oxidants that help reduce harmful free radicals in the body. And they are an excellent source of a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, folic acid, thiamin (B1), pyridoxine (B6), riboflavin, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. These nutrients serve many helpful purposes in the body. 

Here's a recipe using sesame seeds that is easy to make, tasty, and versatile. It can be made ahead and sprinkled on foods as desired, used in a way similar to Parmesan cheese or flavored salts.

Sesame Sprinkles

1 cup hulled sesame seeds
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Place all ingredients in a container and stir. Then, grind small amounts at a time in a coffee grinder (I use one that is dedicated only to seeds and nuts). Place mixture in a jar and cover with a lid. Store in the fridge.

To serve, sprinkle on salads, pasta, or cooked vegetables. Adding lemon juice enhances the flavors! Although this is a great recipe for an afternoon tea party, it is also delicious sprinkled on pizza!

Today I am linking to Bernideen's Tea Time Blog.

Berry Bubble Tea

Summer is here. Although hot tea never goes out of style at our house, it is sometimes nice to have an alternative. As you'll recall, I am trying to eat the G.O.M.B.S. way and one thing that means is that I'm adding specific certain foods to the family diet. Three of these foods are seeds, berries, and green tea. This week I developed a recipe that utilizes all three of these ingredients and is a refreshing, delicious treat!

Berry Bubble Tea

16 - 24 ounces green tea

2 - 3 Tbsp. chia seeds

1 packet stevia (1/2 tsp.)

1/2 cup blueberries

Place ingredients in a quart jar. Lid and shake. Then place in the fridge for several hours. It will chill and the chia seeds will soften and expand. When ready to serve, place blueberries in a pretty glass. Pour the green tea mixture over the top and fill the glass up. Stir and enjoy! 


This is a very refreshing drink! It works well with ice, if you prefer. And I've found that Jasmine green tea is exceptionally delicious! 

While we are on the subject of bubbles, I simply must share this picture of family and friends blowing bubbles at Brandon's and Sally's wedding. It's one of my favorite pictures. Everyone is so intent upon bubble blowing, aren't they!

G.O.M.B.S.

Our spring garden is sprouting. Scattered rows of kale, broccoli rabe, endive, radishes, and mixed lettuces are spread over the dark soil like green confetti. At our house, we're trying to add more dark, green, leafy vegetables to our daily diet. Homegrown organic is much more convenient and less expensive than greens from the supermarket or Farmer's Market. Hopefully we'll have some to harvest soon!

The renewed motivation for greens comes from the inspiration of Dr. Joel Fuhrman. He's the author of a book called "Eat to Live". It's one I've had in my personal library for quite some time. I have appreciated the wealth of good, sound nutritional advice presented within the pages of this book. My friend, Tari, gave me a series of DVD's for my birthday this year. They are of lectures that Dr. Fuhrman gave for PBS. Although counsel from a book is great, seeing and hearing live presentations has been even more inspiring.

Here's one of the tips Dr. Fuhrman shared. It's something I am trying to incorporate into my daily diet (and into the entire households). It is to eat according to a daily GOMBS plan.

G = greens and green tea

O = onions

M = mushrooms

B = berries and beans

S = seeds

These foods contain high quantities of substances that protect one's health and heal the body. Studies show that when these foods are consumed daily, significant health benefits result. 

Have you been eating (or drinking) your greens, green tea, onions, mushrooms, berries, beans, and seeds? Go for it!

Waiting for Spring Gardens

There's nothing like fresh garden produce to give fresh ingredients for kitchen use.  My cozy kitchen has been void of home grown greens for too long now!
 
March is the month where winter and spring have their spats.  Sometimes winter doesn't like to give up its hold, yet spring gently pushes her way into each day.  Daffodils and crocus show promise of spring while blustery winds and chilly days share the stage.  Snow is still passing by occasionally and the distant mountains are covered with a white coat of snow. If one has garden fever, this coldness in quite inhibiting! Instead of turning the soil and sprinkling seeds, garden books and seed catalogues will have to do for now. The garden gloves and seed packets are in the garden shed, just awaiting the day when they can be used! In the meantime, if you want to sow some seeds inside, here are some tips:

Fill a clean pot or container with potting mix until about 3/4 full. Use a large spoon to tamp down the soil. Spray the soil with a kitchen faucet sprayer or a spray bottle. Spread seeds on the mix, taking care that they not be overcrowded. Poke them into the soil with your finger and then cover with a small amount of soil and pat down. If you are using really small seeds, combine them with soil or sand before broadcasting and then tamp down with the back of a spoon or your palm. All the seeds should be covered with a fine layer of soil. Gently water again and then place the pot in a large zip-lock bag or clear bread bag. Seal with a twisty and keep in a warm spot until seeds sprout. After they have sprouted, you can take them out of the bag and place them in a sunny spot. After danger of frost is past, plant them outside in your impatient and ready garden!