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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

Cauliflower Popcorn

Cauliflower Popcorn is loaded with all the flavor of your favorite snack chips and pop-ems with none of the downside!

Cauliflower Popcorn is so addictive I challenge you to make it so far as to get yours into the dehydrator (or oven) for step 2… without eating it all first!

This flavorful, smoky, cheesy, salty-sweet indulgence tastes phenomenal tossed up fresh… however, an hour or two in the dehydrator (or oven- see below) renders it crispy and warm with its tantalizing aromas wafting throughout the kitchen so do try to hold out! This raw food yumminess is brimming with powerful life-force, enzymes, phytonutrients and vitamins galore. It's a snack that makes us feel as phenomenal as it tastes! Whenever I eat Raw Snacks I feel satiated, energized and just plain fantastic. Cauliflower Popcorn is no exception! Loaded with all the flavor of our favorite snack chips and tidbits without any of the downside… except perhaps that I couldn't hoard it all to myself once Jim had a taste. He couldn't get enough and rates it…

"Outstanding!"

The Benefits (and this is just a few mind you!)

Fights Cancer - Cauliflower contains sulforaphane, a sufur compound proven to kill cancer stem cells thus slowing tumor growth, and to inhibit the growth of cultured breast cancer cells leading to cell death. Moreover, research shows, cauliflower with curcumin (the active compound in the turmeric in this recipe) may help prevent & treat prostrate cancer. Additionally, the Indoles and isothiocyanates in cauliflower have been shown to potentially inhibit cancer development of the bladder, breast, colon, liver, lung and stomach according to the National Cancer Institute.

Boosts Heart Health – The sulforaphane in cauliflower has been shown to significantly improve blood pressure and kidney function. These benefits are related to improved DNA methylation, a process crucial for normal cellular function and gene expression especially in the easily damaged inner lining of the arteries.

Supports Detoxification - Cauliflower supports Phase 1 detoxification via certain antioxidants and Phase 2 detoxification via it's sulfur-containing nutrients while the glucosinolates in cauliflower activate detoxification enzymes in the liver.

Anti-Inflammatory - Excessive inflammatory response when no threat is present can lead to inflammation-related damage in the body linked to many diseases including cancer depending on the organs impacted. Cauliflower's wealth of anti-inflammatory nutrients keep inflammation in check.

Rejuvenates Skin Hair & Nails - As you know by now, consuming a variety of veggies & fruits is important in order to receive all their valuable vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower specifically, contains Vitamins A, E, C & K as well as B vitamins, folate, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, fats, niacin, copper and iron. The biotin in cauliflower has been found to control dandruf and thicken nails. The plethora of antioxidants such as vitamin C in cauliflower destroy free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging. Additionally, the Vitamin C is required for growth & repair of tissues in all parts of the body including the formation of collagen in addition to making skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Boosts Digestion - That good old aforementioned sulforaphane has been shown to protect the lining of the stomach by preventing bacterial overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori. Additionally, cauliflower provides an great source of dietary fiber which is also crucial for digestive health.

Antioxidants & Phytonutrients Galore – Cauliflower is packed with tons of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and antioxidants like quercetin and cinnamic acid which provide cells adequate defense against attack from reqctive oxygen species or ROS. A proper supply of antioxidants helps banish free radicals enabling the body to resist aging caused by everyday pollutants, stress and more.

Boosts Brain Health - Cauliflowers abundant supply of choline is a B vitamin crucial in brain development. Choline intake during pregnancy "super-charges" the brain activity of animals in utero indicating it may boost cognitive function, prevent age-related memory decline, and improve memory & learning.

Overall Raw Foods Power – Nutrient dense, whole, plant-based foods that haven't been heated above 118 F retain their full nutritional value preserving all their naturally occuring living enzymes. Additionally, raw foods are still filled with vital life energy – the magic of life force, also known as chi or prana. I personally integrate a large portion of raw foods into my diet, finding at the moment as the weather is cooling, a proportion of 80% raw to 20% cooked is working best for me. In the heat of summer, I find myself eating close to 100% raw foods – though someday this too may change – and of course you'll be the first to know 🙂 Not only are we each unique with personalized needs, what works for us now may not be what works best for us a year or 5 or 10 years down the line. We always want to pay attention to the signals our bodies are providing in response to the changing seasons, our environment, habits, history, genetic predisposition etc.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This is my submission to the lovely Jacqueline at No Croutons Required and Lisa of FoodandSpice.

I've been wanting to make a raw food version of this snack favorite which is, more typically, roasted in the oven. As you can tell, the results are beyond amazing! Please enjoy this fantastic treat and leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Recipe for Cauliflower Popcorn

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower separated into 2 x larger than popcorn pieces (they'll shrink in the dehydrator)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (I like KAL brand)
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (if you're a raw purist skip, tho it adds fabulous flavor)
1 tsp powdered stevia or xylitol
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
2 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil melted (or sub EVOO or use a combo of the two)

Method

Shake everything up in a large ziplock bag until all the pieces are thoroughly coated.
Spread out on a couple of teflex sheet covered dehydrator trays and dehydrate* at 135F for 1 hour (don't worry, the food is throwing off heat at this point & the internal temp remains under 115) and turn down to 115F for another hour or two until the mixture has dried and the popcorn is slightly crispy.

*Alternatively, if you don't yet have a dehydrator, spread mixture on a silpat or parchment covered baking sheet, place in oven on lowest setting with door propped open an inch or two. Check on the popcorn often as the oven will still likely be much hotter than 135F & 115F and, therefore, the process will be much faster.

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan or Raw Vegan version? Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

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All Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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Food, Health, Nutrition & Wellness, Nutrition & Beauty, Style

How to make Spicy Kimchi (& Sauerkraut) for Powerful Probiotic Health

A delicious jar of flavanoid and probiotic rich Kimchi!

I've been super excited to share my method for Sauerkraut, and even better in my humble opinion, KIMCHI, for quite some time… the day has finally arrived!

Personally, I consider Kimchi to be Sauerkraut's amped-up cousin. My methods for making the two are exactly the same with kimchi simply requiring a few additional veggies & spices to provide its gorgeous color and kick of hot, spicy flavor. In fact, I was fascinated to learn both Sauerkraut and Kimchi are Asian in origin. Although sauerkraut, German for "sour cabbage", is thought of as a German invention, Chinese laborers building the Great Wall over 2,000 years ago ate it regularly and it was likely brought to Europe 1000 years later by Gengis Kahn.

Kimchi – and Sauerkraut too – is low in calories, helps boost metabolism, and contains immune and digestion boosting probiotics of the order of 1000 times that of yogurt! And, the longer it ferments, the greater the health benefits become. In previous articles I've discussed the important benefits of excellent Digestion, Proper Food Combining, and a Detoxification lifestyle so we're aware of the amazing affect probiotics have on our skin, digestion and health overall. In fact, by incorporating probiotic rich foods on a daily basis such as apple cider vinegar, kimchi and sauerkraut, it's actually possible to reverse poor gut health (aka leaky gut) due to unhealthy diet, illness, or antibiotic use. While there isn't any strict amount of the foods to take daily, the more we eat, the quicker the gut will mend, as these are all boasting prebiotics, probiotics and other compounds that encourage healthy immune and gastrointestinal systems. Let's look a bit closer at why, via the benefits of Kimchi (most of which are shared by sauerkraut as well).

Kimchi is a storehouse of vitamins including A, B1, B2 and C as well as being rich in essential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, selenium. It boasts an impressive array of powerful antioxidants and provides the aforementioned benefit of probiotics in the form of lactobacillus bacteria. Kimchi contains numerous healthful components including capsaicin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids and isothiocyanates.
Kimchi is an excellent food to promote digestion. Its probiotics, produced during the fermentation of Kimchi, not only enhance the flavor but create the healthy bacteria, Lactobacillus, which is required by the body to maintain a healthy state of intestinal flora. The organic acid, lactobacilli, and lactic acid produced during fermentation suppress harmful bacteria and stimulate beneficial bacteria, prevent constipation, clean intestines and prevent colon cancer.
Even prior to fermentation, the cabbage base in Kimchi is well known for its detoxification qualities and ability to aid the body in getting rid of wastes and toxins. It helps in cleaning up the intestines, stimulating better assimilation of nutrients in the body.
Cancer: Cabbage contains healthful flavanoids which are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Additionally glucosinolates found in cabbage break down to form isothiocyanates which are well known for their effectiveness against cancer growth. Capsaicin, contained in the red chili pepper of Kimchi, helps reduce the chance of developing lung cancer. Allicin, a chemical contained in garlic, assists to reduce the chance of developing stomach, thyroid and liver cancer. Indole-3-Carbinol contained in cabbage helps reduce the chance of developing stomach cancer.
Garlic and hot red chili pepper in Kimchi kill bacteria that cause gastritis, such as Helicobacter Pylori.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

While I do personally eat Kimchi or Sauerkraut almost daily, it's wise to start off with a small amount as any fermented food is highly detoxifying and a "die-off affect" can contribute even further to the toxic burden released. We never want to overwhelm our immune systems by detoxifying too fast, so it's important to implement changes and additions/subtractions to our lifestyle gradually and listen to our body along the way. That said, adding just a small amount of this exotic condiment can simply transform the flavor of anything from salads, sandwiches, wraps, tacos, rice, to a minestrone soup or a bowl of lentils… endlessly yummy applications!

Recipes for Sauerkraut and Kim-chi adapted from Turtle Lake Refuge

Recipe for Sauerkraut (makes 1/2 gallon)
Ingredients

2 green cabbages
2 T sea salt

Method

Grind the cabbage (red or green) in a food processor or chop it fine with a knife by hand.
Once the cabbage is ground, add the salt and mix it all together well.
Use a wooden dowel (I use the end of a French handle-free rolling pin) to pound the cabbage and salt which brings out the juices.
Once the juices are flowing, pack tightly using a wooden dowel or clean fist to pack tightly into a 1/2 gallon jar all the way to the top.
When the kraut is close to filling the jar, the juices should be covering the top of the kraut. It is key that the kraut is under the cabbage juices because culturing sauerkraut is due to an anaerobic (without oxygen) reaction rather than an aerobic (with oxygen) reaction.
Place the lid on the jar not too tightly so that as it cultures, the excess juices can escape (otherwise your jar might explode). Place the jar in a pan that can catch the overflow juices.
Cover the jar with a towel to keep it dark and let sit at room temperature for one week.
After a week has past, there may be a bit of discoloration on the top of the kraut if all the juices overflowed out. If so, just scrape off the top and keep the lower layers.**
Now you can refrigerate the jar or repack the kraut into smaller jars to store. We store our sauerkraut in the fridge, but it keeps in this form for months and months.

Recipe for Spicy Kimchi

Ingredients

1 green cabbage
1 chinese cabbage
2 large bunches of radishes
4 carrots
1/2 thumb size hunk ginger
4 scallions
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp sea salt

Method

Chop all the veggies according to your preference – I like to chop the cabbage & scallions coarsly for the Kimchi – mix in the spices & salt and follow the method above.

** If you're a newbie looking for a more "fool-proof" method I recommend the Perfect Pickler which has a little vacuum seal on the top to seal out air & induce a naturally pro-biotic world. It self-pressurizes to lock out airborne microbes. I have one and I found it worked great.

Have you ever made (or considered making) your own sauerkraut?

What's your favorite recipe variation?

Much Love,

Juliane

Thank you for visiting 🙂

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I am not a healthcare practitioner or provider. To the extent that any information is provided through this website, it is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute or substitute for medical advice or counseling, the practice of medicine including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, the creation of a physician-patient or clinical relationship, or an endorsement, a recommendation or a sponsorship of any third party, product or service by me. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements available on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.