Living The Not-So Mediocre Life…….

It seems that young people are having a quarter life crisis, young adults from the mid twenties to early thirties. Young people feel they are living a mediocre life and want more out of it. Let me be the first person to say there is absolutely nothing with wanting more out of life, it’s only human nature to feel a need of success and meaning. But I’ve come to realize that we need to start looking within ourselves and not so much the materialistic and superficial things in life. ‘Looking within Yourself’, is a vague term and you might just roll your eyes, and think you know yourself enough to know what you want in life, but in reality as we get older our values and goals and what we think is important changes. As we settle into out late 20’s and 30’s we get a job, get married, and even start having babies we need to re-evaluate ourselves, to not feel a void that can only be filled by finding oneself. So how do I find myself ? You Explore! One way that I’ve seen people feel awaken is through spirituality. I’m not talking about a specific religion but believing in something greater than yourself, even if you just believe in the universe. Another step is meditation, it’s harder than you think, sit in a quiet room and clear your mind, the first couple of times you might think it’s pointless but do not give up, do it every morning, it’s a perfect way to start your day. Reading, writing, yoga, are all ways to help you find yourself, anything that will take you out of your daily element. Success is what you define it as, it is your happiness and dreams whether that means family or career, do not let anyone crush your dreams just because they do not want to carry out theirs.

 

Written by Kaicy Mitssunaga for Anna Anderson CHHC, AADP

 

Cancer – The Forbidden Cures

If you know anyone who is affected by cancer, this is a great documentary to watch!

 

Holiday Vegan Recipes

December is my favorite time of year. Besides the festive holidays, I feel like the food just gets better in the winter. Lately I’ve dabbled with some vegan recipes and they are absolutely scrumptious. I actually feel better when I have my vegan food oppose to all the meat and dairy that many traditional recipes call for. Let me share some of my favorites.

My favorite salad is the Three Bean Salad

1 (15 ounce) can green beans

1 pound wax beans

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 onion, sliced into thin rings

3/4 cup white sugar

2/3 cup distilled white vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

• Mix all, refrigerate for 12 hrs*

My favorite Holiday food is Vegetarian Stuffing 

1 (1 pound) loaf day-old bread

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 (10.5 ounce) can vegetable broth

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

salt to taste, ground black pepper to taste

1/2 cup wild rice, cooked (optional)

1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms (optional)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1/4 cup cubed apples (optional)

***Mix together the bread, cream of mushroom soup, vegetable broth, water, poultry seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Add any or all of the optional ingredients as desired. It will be sticky. Shape into a loaf and wrap in (nonstick, sprayed) foil to bake.Bake for about an hour at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Best Holiday Dessert Double Coconut Blueberry Muffins 

1  3/4 cups + 1 Tbsp white flour
3 tsp baking powder

1 heaping Tbsp freshly ground      flax seeds
3/4 tsp salt

warm these:
1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
   **want even richer muffins?  Add another spoonful of coconut oil. 

1/2 cup raw turbino sugar OR maple syrup

1/2 cup vanilla almond milk (any non-dairy milk)

Fold in:
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp zest
1 large very ripe banana, mashed
3 Tbsp shredded coconut (sweetened)
1 cup wild blueberries (frozen + warmed a bit)

Sprinkle on top:
shredded coconut (sweetened)
raw turbino sugar
ground flax seeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tins with generous amounts of coconut oil or coconut oil spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, flax seeds and baking powder.
In a medium bowl, add the coconut oil, sugar/sweetener, non-dairy milk. Warm in microwave until oil is melted. You want them all to be warm but not hot.
Add the coconut oil liquids to the flour mixture and fold well. Fold in the lemon, vanilla, banana, coconut shreds. Fold until combined.
Lastly, fold in the blueberries. They can be slightly cold, this will actually help firm up the batter a bit for easier scooping into the muffin tins.
Bake the muffins for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow to cool before attempting to pull from muffin tins, as they will be very delicate upon coming out of the oven due to the high coconut oil content. Best served warm, about 30 minutes after baking.

Fantastic Project!

Let’s remember what it’s all about.

With the holidays right around the corner, the stores and sales are hard to ignore. Black Friday has become it’s own holiday. Is it too cliche to say that we’ve forgotten the true meaning of the holidays? Whether you believe in God or the universe there is always something to be grateful for. The shopping has become a national craze. Stores are now opening on Thanksgiving to let early shoppers have a head start. But when do we draw the line? When does it go from getting a good bargain on Black Friday to missing Thanksgiving dinner to shop. I have to be honest, I did the waiting on line Thanksgiving night for a pair of discounted Ugg boots and a flat screen t.v . But was it all worth it ? NO. It was cold crowded and everyone was in a greedy mood. It was ugly. Don’t rush your dinner to go buy stuff, take it slow and enjoy your surrounding and take a mental picture of your loved ones because that moment will never be again.

 

Let’s take a second to pause, think about what is going to more valuable in 10 years? Those Ugg boots, flat screen t.v or the memories of your family and friends enjoying each others company. 

 

Written by Kaicy Mitssunaga for Anna Anderson CHHC, AADP

Thank you Lara Adler for mentioning us in your NewsLetter!!!

Chase Mission Main Street Grants

Chase Mission Main Street Grants

Hey everyone, I’m in the middle of producing a Documentary on how you might be able to reverse cancer with a non-toxic, vegan diet and life style where I am following 4 New Yorkers with varies types and stages of cancer for a period of 6 months. My team and I need funds do make this film possible. Please vote at Chase Mission Main Street Grants for our documentary, 

1 in 3: A Case Against Cancer. Every vote counts, we need 250 votes to qualify. Thank You So Much for Your Support!

Thank you Josh for featuring us in your newsletter :)

Pumpkin Season is Back

It’s upon us! Pumpkin Season is here! And although many of us just use this magnificent squash as a carving ornament there are much more ways to enjoy this fall treat. After we finish carving in scary faces on pumpkins what do we do with the rest of this squash? Well almost anything, from coffee to lasagna, pumpkin goes well with everything. There are endless vegan recipes that include pumpkin. One of my favorite vegan sites is lunchboxbunch.com for their creative and delicious pumpkin concoctions. Here are two of my favorite recipes.

Nutty Pumpkin Chip Cookies
vegan, makes 18-22 cookies

dry:
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1 1/4 cup whole wheat or spelt flour (subbing optional)
1 cup sugar, organic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp baking powder

wet:
1/3 cup water + 1 tsp flax seeds + 1 tsp chia seeds* (flax/chia egg)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade – unsweetened)
1 tsp cider vinegar
2-4 Tbsp virgin coconut oil (unrefined), melted (or sub veggie oil)

* seeds – you can choose just one seed if needed

fold-in:
1/2 cup pecans (or walnuts)
3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Add dry ingredients to large mixing bowl. Stir in wet ingredients. Fold in the “fold ins” until the dough starts to form. into a moist ball.
*flour note: you can substitute with a wide variety of flours – note that you may need to modify liquid to flour ratio just a tad depending on your variety. White flours may need a splash less liquid that heartier flours like whole wheat.
3. Place dough in the fridge or freezer until it firms up a bit – usually 15 minutes will do it.
4. Spoon cookie dough or roll into balls and place onto parchment paper lined or coconut oil greased baking sheet(s).
5. Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes – more or less depending on cookie size and how chilled your dough was. cookies will bind a bit as they cool – so once the edges being to slightly firm up and brown, the cookies are done.

 

Pumpkin Apple Walnut Harvest Rice

vegan, makes 6 cups

1 3/4 cups cooked brown rice

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 small honeycrisp apple, diced

1 small sweet onion, chopped

1 Tbsp parsley flakes

2 tbsp organic raisins (golden or purple)

1/2 cup walnuts, unsalted

1-3 Tbsp maple syrup (depending on how sweet you want it)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp fine pepper

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp salt (to taste)

optional: 1 cup warmed chickpeas over top

To Make:

1. Prepare brown rice – set aside in large mixing bowl.

2. In a small bowl, combine the pumpkin, maple syrup, cider vinegar, spices. Warm in microwave. Mix well. Add this mixture to the warm brown rice. Fold until well distributed.

3. Prep your apples and onions by dicing.

4. Fold into the rice mixture: raisins, apples, onions, walnuts, olive oil, parsley flakes and salt to taste. Top with optional warmed chickpeas.

Serve warm or keep in warm oven until ready to serve. But do not over-heat. You want the apples and onions to still have a crispness to them when you serve.

Other optional add-in’s: nutritional yeast, truffle oil, cayenne, cubes of butternut squash or sweet potato..

 

Getting Rid of Your Chemical Cleaning Supplies

 The documentary Chemerical has really left a profound impact on me.  So I have decided to start making my own cleaning supplies and get rid of all chemicals that are toxic to myself and the environment. Don’t get me wrong, I want my place to sparkle and smell like flowers, but I know with natural and organic supplies I will be able to do just that. Join me and let’s get started in turning your home into a chemical free environment, first you will have to dispose of all toxic chemicals like bleach and ammonia, but you cannot just throw these highly toxic liquids into your toilet or sink, not only will it contaminate your local water supply but it will defeat the purpose of going green. There are local chemical waste dumps in almost every city, here New York City there are dump sites where you can take any toxic materials from batteries to paint and anything in between.

After you have rid yourself of all the toxic garbage you can now start your healthy toxic free journey. You will need some basic ingredients like baking soda,  white vinegar, salt, lemon juice, cornstarch, linseed oil, olive oil, borax, and any essential oil for scent.  Now go clean to your heart’s content, your home will be so clean you will be able to eat off your floor, literally.

Written by Kaicy Mitssunaga for Anna Anderson CHHC, AADP