Sunflower Seed Pesto

Vegan Sunflower Seed Pesto!

Recipe
 - 1/2 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
 - 1-2 gloves of garlic
 - juice of 1 lemon
 - sea salt (just a pinch)
 - 2 cups of fresh basil
 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1. In a food processor combine the sunflower seeds and garlic, process into a rough texture
2. Add the lemon juice, sea salt and basil and process
3. While the machine is running slowly stream in the EVOO and continue to process until combined

Viola, complete

Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Spread it, Stuff it, Dip it or try one of the below options:

• Serve over pasta or brown rice
• Add to your favorite sandwich
• Pesto covered chicken
• Use as a dip for vegetables, whole grain crackers or tortilla chips
• Spread it on homemade pizza instead of the typical tomato sauce
• Flavour a cold grain or legume salad (quinoa, rice, beans, legumes)
• As a vinaigrette (thin it out and use as a dressing)
• Toss with some steamed veggies

Most basil recipes incude 1/4 to 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese as well which is certainly an option if you wish, just add it with the basil when processing.

Sunflower seeds are a much more economical choice over the traditional pine nuts. This could easily be made with walnuts as well for a different flavour.

A few nutritional tidbits:
Basil - possesses antibacterial properties which are effective in treating intestinal ailments. Also possesses anticancer properties.

Sunflower seeds - excellent source of protein, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, folic acid, fibre, vit b1, b5 and b6 and monounsaturated fat

Resources: The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods - Michael Murray, N.D.

Just for Fun! Kip Moore - Somethin' 'Bout A Truck

Totally off topic, not the norm and completely just for fun......My music tastes range from one extreme to the next and not everyone loves a good country tune, however this girl still does! Enjoy!

The Benefits Of Coconut Oil Infographic

Here is a great infographic from Natural News outlining the benefits and usefulness of Coconut Oil, all the more reason to stock up on this wonderful product and incorporate it into your daily regime.

http://www.naturalnews.com/Infographic-Benefits-of-Coconut-Oil.html

Rainy Days and Rainy Nights and Rainy Weekends too!

Here's a bit of feel good music to help you weather your next storm.

I love the rain, I love the renewal of everything after the rain, the cleansing properties of it, the feelings of wanting to cozy up with that favorite new book, a great chick flick, a warm cup of something or a nice glass of wine....maybe even a cozy partner and a warm and comforting blanket.

So many people get so bummed out when the weather turns to be wet and cool and well for some it seems to be downright depressing. The rainy days are certainly the ones that you choose to be more reflective on your sorrows and saddness but they are also a great time to pause and reflect and gather your thoughts.

Some of my favorite memories are in the rain, aren't your's too?

Did you ever play in the puddles as a child?

Have you ever sat under a covered porch watching a lightening storm every so often inching your way back closer to the door as the winds shift and you attempt to stay dry?

Have you danced in the rain, have you jumped in those puddles without a single thought of "I can't get wet"?

You should, why haven't you, don't you dry?

What are you waiting for?



There's nothing like sitting, quietly with your thoughts and listening to nothing but the patter of the rain as it hits the roof or the porch or the car roof or the sidewalk or your window, whereever you are and letting your mind wander to that happy place that we so often ignore.

Often times we are all so busy with life that pausing for that moment just doesn't seem to happen, except for when we crawl into bed and decide to call it the end of the day but if you're anything like me that's quickly followed by immediate sleep...there is no time for getting lost in thought, my head hits the pillow and I completely shut down. Or, maybe you're not like me and instead you lay there, thinking about the day and all that you didn't get done or compiling your list for tomorrow, again, not necessarily reflecting and just being but working yourself up for a long night of no sleep!

My point is, take this rain as a blessing, we need the water, we need the renewal, we need the cleansing effects but also do yourself a favor and

stop, listen and just be.

Let the cleansing effects of it wash over your soul and slip yourself into that happy place if only for a moment, your soul will certainly thank you for it.