VIBRANT LIFE

In pursuit of all things bright.  Here you'll find: life in Los Angeles, food, health, kid stuff, yoga, travel and other adventures. 

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Immunity Boosting Broth

A cold was threatening to ruin my vacation last week, so I made my immunity concoction and nipped it in the sniffly, sneezy bud.  I'm not sure when or where I came up with this - it's a mixture of Eastern and Grandma medicine, I suppose.  I usually have homemade stock on hand, but store-bought will do in a pinch.  This recipe is just a guideline, play with ratios to suit your taste:

1 1/2 C. Chicken Broth

3-6 Cloves of Garlic

1 Thumb of Fresh Ginger, Peeled and Sliced

Several Pinches of Red Chili Flakes (the spicier, the better)

Pinch of Salt

1/2 Lemon

Put all ingredients except for lemon into a small pot.  Bring to boil, then simmer for 7-10 minutes.  Garlic should not be entirely cooked, but broth should be fragrant.  Pour into bowl, squeeze in 1/2 lemon.  Sip your way to clear sinuses and a soothed throat.

If you're adventurous, chomp on a few cloves of garlic to extract their medicinal properties.

I hope you stay well, but if not, give this a try.

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Wonderbag 

Cooler weather is coming, albeit a little more slowly here in Southern California.  I love making soups and stews in the fall and winter months. I especially love the ease and convenience of using a slow cooker.  I just discovered this amazing invention called a Wonderbag - it not only functions like a slow cooker without having to rely on electricity, but it was created by a woman with the highest aspirations of making a positive global impact.  Spoiler alert: this is going to be my go-to Christmas gift.

http://nb-wonderbag.com

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Don't ever stop doing your thing.

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Baby loves "faffwles".  Mama sets out to create a healthier, less sugary, less flour-y version.  Today it looked like this:

1 Egg

1/2 Small Sweet Potato

3 TBS Shredded Zucchini (pat dry before adding to mix)

2 TBS Whole Milk

1 TBS Coconut Oil

2TBS Immaculate Organic Pancake and Waffle Mix (less than 1g of sugar)

I topped it with some organic coconut butter and Baby ate the whole thing while watching four back-to-back Elmo episodes.  He then asked for more.

You can really play around with batter ingredients.  You can substitute the waffle mix with a gf version or buckwheat flour.  You can sneak in all kinds of shredded veggies.  Also, have fun with toppings - any kind of nut butters or fruit spreads; sweet cream butter, or cut into triangles and dip into yogurt (I don't know about your baby, but mine loves dipping food into other food).

Have fun.  Enjoy!