Heavenly dessert!!!

So...after several conversations with friends and family I decided I HAD to post this amazing recipe that I have been using for the past year. It is sooooo delicious, sooooo easy and it's healthy to boot. I get the large bag of walnuts from Sams or Costco and I like to use dark cocoa powder. Medjool dates sound exotic and hard to find but they can be found at the local grocers or at health food stores. This DESSERT is filling and fulfilling with good fats, healthy sugars and minimal effort. It's worth it to try it just once...trust me.


Flourless Chocolate Cake
~Chef Cornbleet
adaptations and options by Jami McQuivey

Equipment: Food processor

Ingredients
3 c. walnuts
¼ t. sea salt
20 pitted medjool dates (to pit these it takes 2 minutes for all of them...fast!)
2/3 c. unsweetened Cocoa powder or carob
1 ½ t. vanilla
1-1½ t. water

Place walnuts and salt in food processor fitted with “S” blade and process until finely ground. Add dates, cocoa, and vanilla. Process until smooth and begins to stick together. Add water and process briefly.

Option 1: Transfer to a 9 in round cake pan and press. Can top with raspberries.
Option 2: Roll into balls for on the go dessert/snack.
Option 3: Use almond, raspberry, amaretto or any other flavor in place of vanilla


Will keep 3-4 days in fridge or several weeks in freezer. Bring to room temp before serving.

Open for questions...

I have posted on a few different subjects that people had questions on. I thought it would be a great idea to open the blog up for any questions or concerns you might have regarding nutrition, health, cooking, herbs, fitness, lifestyle, etc.

I have been in this field for many years and if I can't help I will find someone or something to lead you in the right direction. You can post your questions or topics here or e-mail me, Jamileemc@hotmail.com (state if you'd like to remain anonymous), and I will research and answer as best I can. Thanks for the e-mails and encouragement thus far.

Ahhh, the joy of sleep!!!

I remember when I was a little girl I hated naps. I was sure that the moment I fell asleep the party began. Face painting, pony rides, popcorn, the works. I still struggle with that at times. What am I going to miss?...I should get this or that finished?...I'll get to sleep right after this show...It's Friday, I can sleep in..It's always the same thing. I get tired and then give myself excuses as to why I CAN"T go to bed early. When this happens (and it often does) I have to remember to tell myself why I need to sleep...

1)I get short tempered-no body wants to get too close...I'm Jekyll and Hyde.

2)Sleep reduces stress.

3) Sleep reduces cravings AND lose weight!

4)Sleep helps memory...hey, has anyone seen my keys?

5) Sleep can help extend life

6)improves concentration...now where was I?

Those are just a few of the reasons BESIDES the fact that it feels wonderful! Why do we fight, avoid or neglect the wonders of sleep. We all have our different reasons but our basic need is the same.

Now many of you are asking yourself...How can I improve my sleep? I have some suggestions but one thing remains...PRIORITIZE.

Suggestion 1
GO to bed the same time every night!!! Make your room quiet (no TV's or work) Make your room dark, cool and quiet.

Suggestion 2
Eat a light dinner. Many of us eat late and heavy. This disturbs sleep AND digestive patterns. Avoid stimulants like caffeine (soda, chocolate, coffee,). Instead of eating before bed make a habit of enjoying a relaxing, soothing cup of chamomile tea.

Suggestion 3
Activities that are appropriate before bed to help prepare the body for a good nights sleep include reading (something mellow), relaxing music and, my personal favorite, writing in my journal. Journalling helps refocus the mind and reflect. I, also, keep a pad of paper by my bed for last minute thoughts, reminders and to-do's.

Interesting fact...Before the light bulb was invented we slept an average of 10 hours per night. Today, almost 2/3 of us get less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep!!! (National Sleep Foundation)

Quote of the day:
Watch your thoughts, they become your words
Watch your words for they become action.
Watch your actions, for they become habit.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Assignment: Turn everything off...TV, Phone, lights, brain, and enjoy a wonderful nights rest!!!

I don't like vegetables?!?!?!?

I met a man a while ago who exclaimed, "I just don't like vegetables." This made me pause for several reasons. I'll only write about 2.

1)Vegetables should be a staple in the diet because of all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidant and phyto-nutrients to name a VERY few.

2) There are soooooo many vegetables to choose from that to negate an entire group of food is plain silly.

Let's go through the common types of vegetables

Bulbs- Garlic, onions, chives, etc.

Fruit-Cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, squash, etc.

inflorescent- artichokes, broccoli, cauliflower and more

Leaf- cabbage, kale, collards, spinach, etc.

Root- Beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, etc

Stalk- Celery, fennel, kohlrabi

Edible pods- Green beans, peas, sugar snaps, etc.

Tubers- potato, sweet potato, jicama, yam and more

Fungus- mushrooms

Now, can you imagine not liking vegetables?...any vegetables? These amazing foods should comprise 60% of our diet. Preparing them raw, lightly steamed, sauteed, stir fried, marinated, baked and boiled are just places to begin.

As a special treat to my boys I tell them that they can choose any vegetable they want and we'll learn about preparing it, it's health benefits, etc. It's fun and educational for all of us

Assignment: Pick a vegetable that you don't know much about or have never had and give it a try. The internet is a great resource for recipes and ideas. We've found some of our new favorite vegetables this way. We love raw jicama peeled, sliced and eaten.

Quote: "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." Anre Gide

Nature walk extreme...

I was looking for a way to learn more about herbs when I stumbled upon an Herbalist, Trilby. I was invited to attend one of her "Herb Walks" South of Des Moines. I knew this was something my son, Elijah, and I have really been in to lately so we decided to go. It was amazing. I am constantly amazed that we are surrounded by so many things that go unnoticed.

I am the lady that will take 2 shirts on their way to Goodwill and make a dress out of them instead. I love frugality and conservation. When I started really wondering about plants my curiosity took me in a whole new direction.

Common things that we over look that are great sources of nourishment, medicine, and free are:

1) Dandelions! Yes, that pesky weed that pops up in the yard that no matter the amount of chemicals you spray on it comes back. STOP! This plan has been used world wide for all of its parts.
The leaves: when young are tender and nutritious. They are in the store blends in the salad section. When harvesting make sure that you are eating one's that have NOT been sprayed!
The flower: When it is not quite open you can saute like a mushroom and add to salads. When the flower opens pinch the top off really close so there's no "milk" on it and throw it into salad for a nutritional, colorful addition to salad.
The root: Can be roasted or not and used in teas. This is very nourishing and is a great (when roasted) coffee substitute.
The milk: That's the yucky tasting part of the plant but I recently heard that it's great on wounds...I'll check that out.

2)Plantain: This is the little weed that is used as a a tea, poultice and salad green. Again, the younger they are the tastier. These are also great lightly steamed and sauteed.

3) Red raspberry: Aside from producing wonderful berries the leaves are a great women's tonic when used as a tea. First, they are dried and they steeped. It's so yummy and is widely purchased and used.

4) Red Clover: This plant makes a wonderful tea and is known for it's high anti-oxidants (anti-cancer) properties. Red clover grows freely along the highway. I suggest not harvesting plants that are close than 10-15 feet from the road.

These are just some of the plants that we have FREELY at our disposal. It's was fun when I started looking at my world through Elijah's eyes. The enthusiasm is contagious. We explored, Nettles, milk weed, Queen Anne's lace, creeping charlie , cup plant, and many more on this herb walk. What a fun thing to know!!!!!

A little side note: You may want to be selective with who you tell about your new weed eating lifestyle. This is a suggestion from "the lady who eats weeds".

Assignment: Walk around your home and learn what plants, weeds, and flowers you have, what their properties are and how to use them. For example: Marigolds are wonderful in salads, easy to grow, beautiful, and have lots of medicinal uses. It's also good to know if you have something poisonous or toxic. Being present and aware in our lives and spaces can enrich our lives and our spirits.

Quote: "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln

New Classes!!!

For those of you near me I am starting up a few classes in the fall that you might be interested in. Classes are going to be held at Releve Studios in Oskaloosa. Here's the present schedule I am teaching. (I am sorry if this post doesn't apply to you)...These classes are on Wednesday mornings.

8:30- 9:15 Golden Oldies~ This is for the older adult or the pregnant lady (it's what I did when I was pregnant...loved it and bounced back)

9:30-10:15 Zumba-Fun dance and cardio!

10:30-11:15 Vinyasa Yoga-Combines postures with the the flow of the breath.

If you're in town registration will be soon!!! This is a great way to get out and dedicate 45 min. to yourself without the kids, work or stress. Just time to have fun!

Cloves and Pain...

This past week I called my sister Aubrey to check to see how she was doing. She had STREP!

Here's a little background about my relationship with strep. It was a long and intimate relationship. It lasted weeks, then months. I knew He wasn't good for me but I was vulnerable and tired. Each time we connected I was left emotionally and physically drained. We just weren't good for each other. I tried and tried to get Strep to understand. After breaking up and getting back together 3-4 times Strep started stalking me. No matter what I'd do or where I'd go there he was. I vowed that this ridiculous obsession had to end. I made a painful decision that I don't regret but don't wish on anyone else. I had to rid myself of my feature that continually attracted Strep. I HAD TO GET A TONSILLECTOMY!!!! AT 25. During our time together I explored so many options to dull the pain and here is one that I shared with my sister and will now share with you....

We all know that there are pain relievers but this is a safe, effective one that I used PLENTY of times. (It's also effective for toothaches and canker sores and sore gums)

Clove gargle
2 T. whole cloves
1 c. water
Simmer cloves for 5-10 min. Rest until cool. Gargle AND swallow. This can be done as often as is necessary.

Why?? Clove is a mild topical anesthetic (dulls pain), antiseptic, disinfectant, anti-microbial against fungi and bacteria, relieves nausea, and stimulates the digestive system. it's also used to rid the body of intestinal worms and helps to de-congest.

I have used this and now my sister has. She sent me a text (because she couldn't talk) that read, "Wow, thank you! That's better for the pain than the vicodin!"

Aubs, I hope you're feeling better and am glad I could help.

I am sharing these remedies so that when you are in pain or sick you can reach into a file in your brain and remember what the remedies are, how to use them and in the meantime be safe and frugal.

Quote of the day: Little minds talk about people, Average minds talk about events, and GREAT minds talk about ideas.

Assignment: Say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done!