Author: Kaaren Jordan

KAAREN”S SIMPLY DELICIOUS RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Mushroom Immune Support Soup

Mushroom Immune Support Soup
(Original Recipe Courtesy of Dr. Maoshing Ni, www.taoofwellness.com)
I hope you like this simple Mushroom Immune Support Soup as much as me and my clients do.
This original recipe shared by Tao of Wellness is made by making a broth of cabbage, carrots, fresh ginger, onion, oregano, shiitake mushrooms (if dried, they must be soaked first), maitake, lion’s mane, turkey tail, any kind of seaweed, any type of summer squash(yellow crooked neck/zucchini/patty pan) in water or your favorite stock.
Combine and simmer on low heat for one hour.
My additions to Dr. Maoshing Ni’s recipe are:
1 tsp of Eden Mirin for a hint of natural sweetness. I prefer nappa cabbage, savoy or bok choy to regular green cabbage for a more delicate flavor and use shallots instead of onion. Sometimes I combine one or more of the three cabbages to add different flavors and textures. For those that like a heartier soup, use regular green cabbage.
I also use coconut water as my soup base and may add in shredded cooked chicken and cooked brown rice if I want a main course “soup” meal.
This soup is not only delicious, but provides  many health benefits. Cabbage can increase your body’s ability to fight infection, ginger supports healthy digestion, and seaweed cleanses the body.
I include this soup regularly as part of my Fall/Winter diet to build a strong and healthy immune system.
I highly recommend subscribing to The Tao Of Wellness newsletter for high quality TCM based natural healing information.
If you live near Los Angeles, be sure to schedule an apt. with either Dr. Daoshing Ni or Dr. Maoshing Ni for their excellent personalized herbal tea prescriptions and impeccable acupuncture.
To see more healthy weight loss recipes like this, as well as wellness hacks, please follow me on Instagram, @kaarenjordanwellnessauthor, and visit my website for great blogs, and check out my two books “Ageless Beauty From The Inside Out” and “Eat Your Way To Health”.
A new recipe and wellness book is in the works….” The Simply Delicious Weight Loss And Wellness Plan”.

KAAREN’S RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

 My husband Gene and I enjoy salads year round. With a bit of creativity, they need not be boring.

 Here is a simple layered salad that not only is packed full of nutrients and beneficial fiber, but has a variety of tastes and textures guaranteed to appeal to even the pickiest eaters.

 Feel free to substitute any ingredients available seasonally and/or add any of your personal favorites.

 Kitchen Sink Salad

 1/3 cup each of the following:

 Shaved raw crooked neck yellow squash

Shaved raw zucchini

Shaved raw red pepper

Shaved raw apple

Shaved raw carrots

 ¼ cup shaved raw golden beets

¼ cup shaved watermelon radish (any radish available is fine)

 ¼ cup sliced celery

¼ cup sliced mushrooms

¼ cup sliced rinsed pitted low sodium black olives

1/3 cup diced fresh tomatoes

 3 cups chiffonade mix of Little Gem lettuce, Spring Greens Lettuce/Baby spinach/Baby kale

 Marinated Fresh Mozzarella :

 Combine all below well and then add in 6 0z sliced fresh mozzarella

 3 tbls finely chopped fresh basil

4 tbls extra virgin olive oil

2 tbls fresh lemon juice

  4 tbls balsamic vinegar

2 tbls. Heinz ketchup (See the Heinz Health & Wellness line)

   1 tsp Dijon mustard

 Marinate above for 30 min or more. Toss all salad well and then fold in Marinated Mozzarella . Add balsamic to taste.

 Accompany with sourdough bread if desired.

 Serves 2

To see more recipes like this please check out my two books “Eat Your Way To Health” and ” Ageless Beauty From The Inside Out”  at  www.healingessences.com

Follow me on Instagram: @kaarenjordanwelllnessauthor for weekly posts on healthy lifestyle and  “Simply Delicious” recipes.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK…BLACK BEAN STEW

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for all you black bean lovers….

SPICEY BLACK BEAN STEW

2 cans no salt black beans can liquid included
1 1/2 cups chiffonade de-stemmed swiss chard leaves
1 1/2 cups chiffonade de-stemmed kale leaves
Stems from swiss chard and kale sliced finely
½ cup celery sliced finely
1 cup mushrooms sliced thinly
½ cup carrots sliced thinly
¼ cup sliced pitted low salt olives
½ cup diced red pepper
2 tbls minced shallots
2 tbls olive oil
½ cup Heinz Ketchup (See my faves in the Health & Wellness line)
3 tbls minced jalapeno peppers
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp cumin
¼ tsp oregano
Salt to taste
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sour cream to garnish
Empty beans and can water into a soup pot.
In a covered nonstick skillet, water saute stems from swiss chard and kale, mushrooms, celery, carrots, red pepper and shallots until soft. Then stir in olive oil, minced jalapeno, tomatoes, Heinz catsup, onion powder & spices. When well folded in, add in chiffonade of kale and chard leaves until wilted. Salt to taste. Fold entire mixture into the soup pot until evenly incorporated and heat thoroughly.
Ladle into soup bowls and top with cheese. Microwave for 90 sec. to melt cheese.
Top with sour cream and serve with favorite bread.
Serves 2-3..

CALIFORNIA CONFETTI SALAD

This is one of my husband Gene’s favorite salads that is packed with superfoods like cilantro, baby kale, cabbage and ginger.

Gene and I like this combo best, but feel free to substitute veggies or add more variety of veggies to this recipe.

Ingredients:

½ savoy or green cabbage finely chopped

2 large handfuls baby kale finely chopped

4 Persian cucumbers or 1 cup English cucumbers diced

1 red bell pepper diced

1 large handful cilantro rough chopped

1  medium apple diced (Envy, Opal or Pink Lady apples work well)

½ cup organic raisons

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or   1 cup  tomato diced (added at last minute after dressing)

Fold In Choice Of:

Shelled pistachios, peanuts, cubed cooked chicken breast, shrimp, white sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds

Toss all ingredients together until evenly mixed.

DRESSING:

2-3” fresh ginger peeled, rough chopped and then chopped finely in a food processor.  Add 3 cloves garlic or for subtler flavor, 1 tbls shallot, 4 tbls. mayo (or avocado mayo if vegan), 5 tbls rice vinegar, 3 tbls sesame oil and 2 tsp Dijon mustard to the ginger and process until smooth.

Cover the veggie mixture with the dressing and toss well adding  tomatos at the end.

Serve chilled.

CILANTRO…NATURE’S SUPERFOOD

CILANTRO…NATURE’S SUPERFOOD

Cilantro aka Chinese Parsley /coriander,has been a staple in cuisines around the world with it’s use dating back centuries. If you enjoy Mexican food, you’ve tasted cilantro in guacamole.

Here are a few of cilantro’s many health benefits:

Recent studies show that cilantro attaches to heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury in the bloodstream acting as a “bio absorbent”. This process, called chelation, helps our bodies eliminate metals from our systems through our excretory systems, to cleanse and purify our tissues, organs and blood. Cilantro leaves contain the bioactive components, flavonoids, saponins and fibers capable of absorbing and chelating heavy metals.

 The leaves of the cilantro plant also have potent anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, antimicrobial effects as well as the significant chelating properties mentioned above.

Researchers have found that cilantro may provide many other  health benefits in the form of reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and seizure severity, as well as raising energy levels and promoting healthy hair and skin.

 In Traditional Asian Mediciine, cilantro has a predominantly cooling and grounding effect and has been known to contribute to detoxification pathways within the body by stimulating the liver. By stimulating the liver and increasing bile production, cilantro helps contribute to the overall lowering of LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels

With it’s many health benefits, unique taste and versatility, cilantro can be an easy, low cost addition to incorporate into your wellness plan.

A Votre Sante,

Kaaren

PS  Stay tuned for easy, delicious cilantro recipes in the coming weeks.

 

How To Get Back On Track After The Holidays

Here’s A Quick And Easy Way – THE MIRACLE WEIGHT LOSS AND DETOX SOUP.

This soup was created by Dr. Henry Bieler for his clients and given to me by Eileen Poole, his student, at my first visit in 1979. It has been a daily diet mainstay since I saw Eileen nearly 41 years ago.

I have a cup in the morning with my steamed veggies, cooked grain and protein meal, a cup with lunch and a diluted cup by my bedside so I can sip it if I wake up. Eileen always recommended a short “Bieler’s Soup” fast for weight loss, holiday overindulgences, if you “fall off the wagon,” or feel a bit under the weather. This recipe came to be known as “ The Miracle Soup” by my clients because they feel better, look younger, and stay at their ideal weight with just 1-2 cups a day.

A short 1-3 day fast on this soup is a favorite with my clients to jump start weight loss, balance holiday overindulgences, ward off any minor illnesses or clear “a falling off the wagon” episode. Excess weight and your cravings will disappear if you stick with this “Miracle Soup” as part of your daily food plan. Enjoy!

THE MIRACLE WEIGHT LOSS AND DETOX SOUP (a.k.a. Bieler’s Soup)

Ingredients:
• 4-6 Zucchini sliced uniformly (medium size)
• 1 lb Bag Fresh Or Frozen Whole Green Beans
• 1 Handful of Parsley Tops (No Stems)
(Optional) 2 Stalks of Celery sliced with strings removed.
Variation that helps detox heavy metals:
Add 1 large handful of fresh de-stemmed cilantro to the above recipe

VIP If you have any digestive, elimination issues, high blood pressure or kidney problems omit the celery.

Fill a large pot with 1/3 spring water and add all the ingredients. Cover and cook in rapidly boiling water for 15 minutes until the vegetables are fork tender but still bright green. Then place all ingredients in blender and puree in batches until smooth. If too thick, just add water to dilute to taste with each serving.

Season with any of your favorite herbs. i.e. paprika, oregano, garlic, ginger, lemon, lime or basil. Serve hot or cold. I like to make my “mother batch” plain so I can add a different flavor to each cup. Do not add salt. You can add a pat of unsalted butter to each serving for extra body.

For more healthy weight loss recipes like this, please check out my two books “Eat Your Way To Health” and “Ageless Beauty From The Inside Out” available on my website as a PDF or on Amazon Books for paperback and Kindle versions.

A Votre Sante,
Kaaren

Getting Back On Track After The Holidays…aka How Do I Lose The Weight I’ve Gained Since Thanksgiving And Keep It Off?

Since most of us have indulged heartily in a variety of celebration fare over the holiday season, many of you may be feeling the cumulative effects of too much holiday cheer about now in the forms of lowered energy, diminished resistance to colds & flu, excess weight, & non stop sweet cravings.

The following simple tips will help you to get back on track, feel better and shed those unwanted pounds that have crept on over the past few months.

1) Incorporate low starch veggies into your daily diet. I know I sound like a broken record, but this really is the foundation for a healthy diet.

2) Bring balance into your daily diet. An easy way to do this is to get in the habit of drinking a cup of Bieler’s Soup (recipe on my website April 2012 Blog section) or equal amount of low starch veggies every time you eat a flour product or protein. There are many quick & easy to prepare veggie soup recipes in my book “Eat Your Way To Health” as well so you don’t get bored. The soups are great because you can grab them on the run.

3) Start to think of sugar & alcohol as celebration treats, not daily fare…and balance with a cup of Bieler’s Soup or low starch veggies before or after the celebration. In a pinch, punch a few holes into a zucchini and microwave for 1 minute each side for a quick & portable low starch veggies serving. You can easily take this with you to a restaurant & sneak it onto your main dish plate without anyone noticing. This tip has been a godsend for many of my clients who travel a lot since most hotels have microwaves in the rooms.

4) Get into the habit of reading labels for hidden sugars, preservatives, chemicals, & salt.

5) Get moving!! As little as 15-20 minutes of sustained movement can boost your metabolism, lift your spirits, reduce stress, & enhance your immune system. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, returning your shopping cart to the market door instead of leaving it next to your car , & parking a bit further from your errand destinations all contribute to a healthly dose of movement that doesn’t have to be a chore.

If possible, make a short 10 minute walk in nature..or even around the block at lunch part of your daily routine. Stationary biking, using Nordic Track machine, treadmill or even a mini trampoline while catching up on the daily news at home can also be simple ways of incorporating movement into your life without having to join a gym. Finding a favorite yoga or Pilates DVD is almost like having a personal trainer in your home.

6) Take your health into your own hands(literally) by holding one of your fingers lightly when you are stalled in traffic, waiting in line, watching t.v. or on the phone. Each finger balances over 14,000 functions in your body. For more information go to: Natural Self Healing Tools on my website.

Remember behavioral scientists have found that a simple change becomes a lifelong habit after one month if done daily. By just applying this one simple principle to any area of your life you want to re-vamp, you can make your New Year’s resolutions a permanent reality.

PS. If you want to learn more about me & my work, please go to my website:

www.healingessences.com

My books “Eat Your Way To Health”and “Ageless Beauty From The Inside Out” are available through my website in PDF & through Amazon Books in paperback and Kindle.

I also offer general Q & A sessions or personalized consultations for diet and/or Jin Shin Jyutsu self help via phone/video SKYPE . Just DM or email me for more information.

A Votre Sante,

Kaaren

More Of Eileen Poole’s Remedies & Recipes – Eileen’s Millet “Mashed Potatoes”

There was a period during my sessions with Eileen that I could not have potatoes of any kind. I shared with Eileen that I missed the flavor and consistency of potatoes, so she came up with this delicious alternative for me.

EILEEN’S MILLET “MASHED POTATOES ”

1 cup water
1 garlic clove minced

1 onion minced

2 tbls oil of choice

1 1/2 cups cauliflower pieces

1 cup millet cooked

Freshly ground pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, saute the garlic and onion in the oil over moderate heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the cauliflower, and 1 cup of water. Cover and cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes until the cauliflower is fork tender.

In a blender or food processor, add cooked millet to the veggie mix & puree until smooth. Keep warm in a covered saucepan until ready to eat.

A Votre Sante`,

Kaaren

More Of Eileen Poole’s Remedies & Recipes – Eileen’s Quick Summer Salad

One very long, hot summer, I asked Eileen to share a quick lunch or dinner recipe for hot summer’s days.
Eileen also told me that Dr. Bieler favored cucumbers as a wonderful hot weather restorative as well as the “Bieler” staples, zucchini & summer squash.
If you have a sensitive digestive system or simply don’t do well with cucumbers, just omit them and add any lightly cooked summer squash in it’s place.
I hope you will enjoy this easy to prepare recipe as much as I have. It’s been a summer mainstay for many years.

EILEEN’S QUICK SUMMER SALAD RECIPE

1 cup lemon cucumber or English seedless cucumber thinly sliced
12-14 mini tomatoes halved (yellow are best as they are the least acidic)
2 cups cooked rice, kamut, or spelt elbow or rotelle pasta
1 cup chilled cooked zucchini sliced thinly before cooking al dente.
1 cup blanched & chilled brocolli flowerettes
2 cups julienned romaine lettuce
2-4 tbls raw, unsalted Pine Nuts (optional)
8-12 oz of your cooked protein of choice: chicken breast, turkey breast, fish, hard boiled eggs

DRESSING: Olive oil & Balsamic vinegar to taste or olive oil and lemon juice as preferred.
Toss everything well in the dressing except the protein and romaine lettuce. Gentley fold in the protein and romaine last.
Serve immediately. This recipe yields 2 servings.

A Votre Sante,
Kaaren

More Of Eileen Poole’s Remedies & Recipes – Eileen’s Epsom, Sea Salt, Baking Soda Baths

Eileen’s Epsom, Baking Soda, Sea Salt Baths

Many times over the years, Eileen recommended the below “soak” to assist in healing crisis, after exposure to x-rays, in times of stress, and simply as a weekly balancer to help unload anything I had “taken on” energetically from others.

She recommended equal amounts of baking soda, sea salt & epsom salts to be added to the bath, soaking for 20 minutes. Next you get out of the bath, wrap yourself in a bath towel & relax for an additional 15 minutes before rinsing off.

These soaks have been a mainstay in my life for more than 30 years. I have also shared this remedy with my clients who have benefited greatly from them.

Although Eileen did not mention foot baths to me, many of my clients who have not had bath tubs , weren’t bath afficiandos, or simply wanted a quickie version, have used a plastic cat box, foot bath or even a large pot in a pinch to help themselves.

One of my favorite “time outs” is a 20 minute soak in a warm epsom salt and baking soda bath with equal amounts of unprocessed sea salt infused with essentials oils. The tensions and aches of the day literally float away! If I have been exposed to a lot of man-made EMF or if the solar flare activity is impacting me, I add a few drops of Flower Essence Society’s “Yarrow Environmental Solution formula”.

From ancient times, natural hot springs pools have been recognized for their restorative properties. Epsom salt baths and foot baths are the “at home” version of this time honored practice. The epsom salt compound is formed naturally from evaporated brine pools in the earth’s crust and is composed of magnesium and sulfates . Epsom salts are easily absorbed through the skin reducing inflammation, soothing sore muscles, and flushing toxins from the body while enhancing total mind-body relaxation.

I use 1 cup of Epsom salts, sea salt & baking soda to a warm to hot bath and soak for 15-20 minutes. For a foot bath, add 1/2 cup of each to your soaking container of warm to hot water and relax for 15-20 minutes. Wrap your feet in a towel for 15 minutes & then rinse off well.

The addition of any favorite essential oils amplifies the experience. For an alternative therapeutic soak, add equal amounts of natural sea salts such as Dead Sea or Himalayan instead of sea salt to your epsom/baking soda bath or foot soak. Make sure to use pure, USP Food Grade epsom salts for soaking.

Caution: If you have high blood pressure or any other medical condition, consult your medical doctor before using epsom/sea salt/baking soda soaks.

Here are some resources to explore:

1)Ultra Epsom Salts/ Himalayan / Dead Sea Bath Salts

www:seasalt.com (800)353-7258

2)San Francisco Bath Salt Company

www:sfbsc.com

(800)480-4540

3)Young Living Oils- essential oils of high quality

www:youngliving.com

A Votre Sante

Kaaren