Black cherry oatmeal

 Serves: 4

2 c. Oats
4c. Water
2 c. Black cherries (removing pit)
Coconut sugar

Directions:
 Boil water, and stir in oats.
Cook about 1 minute over medium heat; stir occasionally.
 Add sugar to your liking but not to much, Enjoy!

Hot out of the oven...Veganism

(Adapted from: vegan planet by: Robin Robertson)

* Please continue to read this blog article

Note: Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love.  That no other blog source will ever  take you close into the story. I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. You're also making them more healthier for you, while saving money in the long run.

** Just want to make this clear I am a meat eater, and I don't discriminate on anyone chose of eating lifestyle.

When it comes to different varieties of eating lifestyles, veganism is one source everyone seem to head for.
As most vegans will tell you, a diet without animal products can be good for your health.
There are more than 12 million vegetarians in the united States, it is estimated that nearly 50 percent made the choice for health reasons. Considering these 12 factors:

1.) A vegan diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, adult-onset diabetes, and osteoporosis.

2.) The journal of the American medical association has reported that a vegetarian diet can prevent 97 percent of coronary obstructions.

 3.) Osteoporosis is a disease of protein excess. The protein in milk actually inhibits the body's  ability to absorb the calcium from milk. Many plant based sources of calcium are easily assimilated into the body.

4.) Dairy consumption has been linked to heart disease, cancer (especially breast cancer), allergies, sinus trouble, migraines, and psoriasis.

 5.) Diary foods can create excess mucus in the body, which can host cold and virus germs in the respiratory tract.

 6.) Vegans and vegetarians tend to be slimmer than meat eaters.

 7.) Studies show that plant based diet can increase your life expectancy by 7 to 15 years.

8.) The feed given to livestock is sprayed with pesticides. More than 90 percent of the toxic chemical residues in foods consumed by Americans come from animal products.

 9.) More than 60 million pounds of antibiotics per year are fed to livestock. These are passed on to people in meat and diary products.  This results in a diminished effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat human illnesses.

 10.) Meat also contains bovine growth hormone, which can cause early maturity in children. 

11.) A vegan diet can reduce the risk of food poisoning. According to the center for disease control, campylobacter infects up to 90 percent of all chickens. In addition, each year up to 20,000 Americans become I'll from E.coli found in meat.

12.) Cornell university's long-term study of diet and health, called china project,  showed that 80 to 90 percent of all cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other forms of degenerative illness can be prevented by adopting a plant- based diet.

 Question:

Does this make you wonder? Please leave you're feedback in the comments below.

Cranberry turkey sub sandwich

*vegan/ vegetarian friendly

Serves: 4

4 hoagie rolls
1/4 c. Crumbled blue cheese
Turkey salami, sliced * Tofu turkey
3 c. Lettuce, chopped
1/2 tsp. Mustard
4 Tbsp. Cranberry spread
Cucumbers
 Olive
Fresh Bail

Directions:
Cut hoagie rolls in half slightly then spread the cranberry spread on one end. Place crumbled blue cheese, turkey,lettuce, and the cucumbers. Spread mustard on the other end, and more turkey, lettuces, olives, fresh basil. Then enjoy!

Strawberry chicken- less salad

Serves:4

1/2 c. Strawberries
1/2 lb. Kale, rinsed & torn
1/2 lb. Spinach, rinsed & torn
2- 1/2 tsp. Sesame seeds
 3/4 c. Chicken - less strips 
Himalayan salt (to tastes)
Cayenne pepper ( to tastes)
 Salad dressing ( your choice)

Directions:
 Toss  together Kale and spinach with the remaining ingredients.
 Add you're favorite salad dressing, and top it off with sesame seeds.

Sweet potato tater tots

Twist on: (original tater tots)

Serves: 4
* if you're allergic
 * * if you're vegan
*** if you're both

2-3 c.  Vegetable Oil
4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled 
1 1/2 Tbsp.  Himalayan salt
1 tsp. Black pepper
 1 egg, beaten***
1/2 c. Flour
1 tsp. Cayenne pepper

Directions:
 In a deep fryer heat oil enough to cover half way in the sides of the fryer, to 375.
Shed potatoes with a grater, and season the potatoes with Himalayan salt and pepper.
Using a paper towel or kitchen towel, squeeze out the excess liquid.
Put the potatoes into a medium bowl with the egg and mix well.
 Add the flour and stir to combine, ( the batter should be workable, and not dry out). 
Form the potatoes into tots and fry, in batches until golden brown about 4-5 minutes. Remove the tots, and drain them on a plate lined with paper towel.
Season again with salt and pepper.

~To make a sweet dessert
Dust with powder sugar, and enjoy!

pomegranate Jello

Serves: varies

 2 c. Pomegranate juice
 2 Tbsp. Fruit pectin
 Coconut sugar

Directions:
Pour juice into sauce pan.
Stir in Fruit pectin, and stir until dissolved.
 Turn on heat to medium and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Turn the heat off, and let cool for 1-2 minutes (Don't allow Jello to sit for to long, it will begin to clump up)stir in sugar to your required taste. Refrigerate overnight and then enjoy.

Question:

This ingredient is an also good source of antioxidant vitamin-C, provides about 17% per 100 g of daily requirement. Also rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents by boosting immunity.  What ingredient is it?

Message from administrator

Welcome to Living Better Cafe!
 I am glad you have made you're reservations here.
Here at Living Better Cafe I care alot about my fellow follower.
And what they are coming here to eat, you can feel safe within this cafe. Without the worries about food sensitivity, because you will always have the options of Omitting that sensitive food. While still being able to enjoy pleasurable food, without feeling left out. 
Just leave the work all up to me, and I will make you're job more easier. While keeping the cash in your wallet happier as you spend less. Because not just eating isn't the only thing Living Better Cafe cares about. I also care about your saving. So I hope you find everything you're looking for, and continue to come back more often.
And please don't' forget to leave a comment on you're out, and share amongst your family, friends, and coworkers. You will be glad you did, and feel great about to!

 If you have any questions or concerns feel free to leave me a comment, and I will contact you as soon as possible.

Happy journey to living better,
Katrina Smith, (Administrator)

Fruit slaw

Serves:4

1 c. Napa cabbage, shredded
1/4 c. Carrots, shredded
1/4 c. Apple, cut into matchstick strips
 1 c. Red cabbage, shredded
1/4 c. Dried cranberries
1/4 c. Peans, chopped
 1/4 c. Crushed pineapple (drain juices)
 1 c. Vanilla yogurt 

Directions:
In a medium bowl blend together all ingredients, except chopped pecans and vanilla yogurt.
 Once all ingredients are blended add the vanilla yogurt, and chopped pecans.

Creamy brown rice pudding

 Serves: 4
* Omit if allergic
 * * Omit if vegan
*** if both

1-1/3 c. Brown rice
1 c. Milk *** ( Rice milk, Almond milk)
1/3 & 1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt
 3/4 egg, beaten **
1-1/4 tsp. Butter **
1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 tsp. Ground ginger
3/4 c. Lemon juice
3/4c. - 2 Tbsp. Milk
1/2 c. - 2 tsp. Rasins
 1 Tbsp. Lemon zest (garnish)

Directions:

 Stir in brown rice, 3/4 c. Milk, sugar, salt, together in a sauce pan over medium heat until thick and creamy for 15 to 20 min lower heat down to medium low.

Stir in 1 c. Milk, egg, ground ginger, raisins into rice.
Constantly stir until it reaches the thickness you want, 3 to 5 minutes.

 Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract, lemon juice into mixture. Then garnish with lemon zest, and enjoy!

Hot out of the oven..... Aspartame

* Please continue to read this blog article

Note: Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love.  That no other blog source will ever  take you close into the story. I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes. You're also making them more healthier for you, while saving money in the long run.

What's the hype about aspartame these days, and do you really know what it's doing to your insides? This may leave your mind boggled wanting to get the inside truth. And that's alright because we all need to know what we put into our mouths. Just because the name is cool fitting, and the picture on the package is enticing. We are so quick to drop it straight into our shopping cart, without really know the truth behind the ingredient in our food. Aspartame has its pro's and con's just like everything else. Before heading straight into the negative side of this artificial sweetener, let's look at its positive side. 

~ Positive effect of Aspartame

1. Doesn't encourage tooth decay
2. Sugar substitute for diabetic 
3. Can help promote weight loss

Okay now that you can see the brighter side of this artificial sweetener, its now time to see the darker side of Aspartame.

 ~ Negative effect of Aspartame

 1. Headache
 2. Dizziness
 3. Memory loss
 4. Abdominal pain
 5. Change in vision
 6. Even seizure 
 7. Migraine headaches
 8. Heart palpitation
 9.  Blindness
 10. Alzheimer's disease
 11. Lyme disease
 12. Menieres disease
13. Lupus 
14. ADD
15. MS
16. Unsteadiness
 17. Confusion
 18.  Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound in ear)
19. sleepiness
20. parestheisa or numbness of the limbs
21. severe slurring of speech
 22. severe hyperactivity 
23.  restless legs
24.  atypical facial pain 
25. severe tremors

zucchini chips

 Serves: 12

1/4 c. - 2Tbsp. Vegetable oil
 6 Zucchini, thinly sliced
 1 tsp. Himalayan salt - to taste
6 pinches of Italian seasoning

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper; spray paper with vegetable oil.
Place zucchini slices on cookie sheet in single layer. In a Spray  bottle, spray tops with  vegetable spray; sprinkle evenly with salt and Italian seasoning.
Bake 2 hours, rotating cookie sheet after 1 hour. After 1 hour 30 minutes, check zucchini every 10 minutes to avoid burning. Removed from oven to cooling rack. Serve cool. Store leftover in airtight container.

cream of Split peas soup

*omit if allergic
 * * omit if vegan/ vegetarian

Serves: 12

1 lg onion, chopped *
2 celery, chopped & sliced
1 lb. Split peas
2 qt. Water
2 medium sweet potatoes
2 c. Diced turkey bacon**
2 tsp. Salt
1 bay leaf
 1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Red pepper flakes
 1 c. Heavy whipping cream**
Sour cream ( garnish)**

Directions:
 In a soup pot, cook turkey bacon over medium heat until tender. Add onion and celery. Sauté vegetables until tender; drain. Add the peas, water, potatoes, turkey, salt, bay leaf and peppers.  Bring to a boil reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30- 45 minutes or until peas are close to puréed. Wait until slightly cool, add in cream heat through on low temperature. Garnish with sour cream.

Holiday Tips

Message from Living Better Cafe
The holiday season is ahead of us all and with that. I want to share with all a great tip for this holiday season. These tips will keep your kitchen Happy, while keeping extra cash in your wallet.

~Tips
1. Recycling is a plus here don't toss away glass spice jar- (  Refill them back up)
2. Cabinet/ Drawer  matted covers-( Works great underneath you're cutting board, with clear rubber protecter)
3. Onion bag with baking soda-(The bag with the baking soda, works as a scour pad)

Happy Holidays,
 K. Smith, (Admin)

key lime cupcakes

Serves: vary

Cupcakes 

1 lg box yellow cake mix 
2 lg eggs
 Oil

Directions:
 Prepare cake mix batter according to the package.
 Pour batter into a cupcake tin, and bake according to package.


Frosting

 Serves: 8

1/2 c. Cream cheese
 1/2 c. Lime juice
 1/2 tsp. Grated lime rind


 Directions:
 Mix cream cheese, lime juice, and rinds with a mixer at medium speed for two minutes.

Oatmeal peanut butter- banana cookies

* Omit if allergic
** Omit if vegan

Serves: 2 dozens

2 c. Butter, softened** (vegan butter)
1 c. Peanut butter chips *
3 c. Brown sugar
4 bananas, mashed
6 c. Oats * (gluten free Oats)
4 c. All- purpose flour * (gluten free flour)
2 tsp. Cinnamon*
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 lg egg, beaten
2 Tbsps. Milk
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
 Sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine butter, brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, peanut butter chips, and bananas mashed in a large bowl; mix well. Save 4 cups mixture. Cover the remaining mixture, and place into refrigerator. Add egg, milk and vanilla to saved mixture, stirring to form soft dough. Shape into 1- in balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet; flattened with a fork dipped in extra sugar. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.



Note: for a chunky monkey cookies 
** replace
 Use 3/4 c. Banana chips **  ( instead of Bananas, mashed)

1/2 c. Raisins 

Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin pie

*omit and use a substitute

 Serves: 12

~Gingersnap pie shell

2- 1/2 c. Gingersnap cookies, coarsely crushed
1/2 c. Butter, melted
 2 Tbsps. Sugar*

Direction:
Preheat oven to 350.
Place a greased 9-in springform pan on a double thickness of foil.
Wrap around pan securely with foil. In a small bowl, combine gingersnap cookies, butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom and 1-in up the sides of prepared pan. And bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.

 ~ Pumpkin filling

1 can (15oz) pumpkin (not purée)
2 eggs*
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. Sugar*
1/4 tsp. Ground nutmeg
1 c.  Evaporated milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large bowl combine, the eggs, evaprated milk, pumpkin, vanilla, nutmeg, sugar. Pour filling into pie shell and bake for 15 minutes, or until almost set in the center.

Hot out of the oven...Salt

*Please continue to read this blog article because I will have a list of salt alternative for you.

Note: Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love.
 That no other blog source will ever  take you close into the story.
I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes.
You're also making them more healthier for you, while saving money in the long run.

One of america silent killer is sitting  right in your kitchen cabinet.
 And if you haven't figured it out it has killed over millions of American, or has caused a lot of health issues.
 The one that stands out the most is "HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE", which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. 
It accounts for two-thirds of strokes & half heart disease. It can also lead to heart failure and ect, which I hope every last one of  you should know. So if you're going to use salt " PLEASE USE IT SPARINGLY” and don't put to much in your dishes. 
Yes salt adds favor to you're food, but like I said in the beginng using it sparingly.
Which will save you from the negative side effect  in the long run.
 So whether you're looking to omit salt from you're diet, or you're looking for a much better alternative altogether.
Here is a list of great salt alternative you can use, while saying bye-bye to Ms. Lawyer season salt.

** Substitution:

1. Kelp

2.  Cinnamon

 3. Cardamom

4. Basil

 5.  Cayenne

 6.  Bay leaves

 7. Garlic or garlic powder

 8. Black pepper  or black pepper powder

 9. Soy sauce * * (if you have gluten issue, find Tamari) a gluten free soy sauce

 10. Onion powder

 11. Lemon juice ( freshly squeezed)

 12. Sunflower seeds

Sweet and Sour Tuna

** omit if allergic
Serves: 6

1/4 tsp cracked pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 c. Sweet & Sour sauce
2 Tbsp. Chopped fresh dill
Tuna (vary on the ounce)**
Bread

Direction:
Combine all the ingredients, except the bread. 

Substitution:

 * * Tofu

French Tomato soup

(Twist on: French Onion soup)

Note: Living better cafe wants to make it's follower happy.
So if there is a food allergy you may have, leave it to L.B.C to do the work for you. By finding a substitution so you can feel better. You're substitute will be at the end of this recipe.

** omit if you are allergic
 Serves: 6

1 1/2 c. Thinly sliced onions** 
6 c. Tomato juice
 1/4 tsp. Pepper
3 oz. Mozzarella cheese **
6 slices of french bread, toasted

 Directions:

Mix the first three ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the soup into 6 oven proof bowls. Topping each with a slice of toasted french bread. And 1/2 oz of cheese broil until cheese is melted.

Substitution:
 **Asafetida
** vegan cheese

Jambalaya salad

Jambalaya Salad
(Twist on Jambalaya)

 Serves: 4 to 6 
* omit if your vegan/ vegetarian
 * * omit if you are allergic

1 1/2 lb. Turkey sausage*
1/2 tsp. Fresh garlic, minced
1/4 c. Tomato sauce
1 1/2 lbs. Peeled shrimp**
1/2 c. Celery, sliced
1/2 c. Chopped bell pepper
1 1/4 c. Water
1 box yellow rice mix
2 Tbsps. Butter
1 can beef broth*
4 oz. Mushrooms, sliced
4 oz. Cherry tomato halves
4 medium heads of romaine lettuce
1 c. Grated Parmesan cheese

 Direction:
Melt butter in sauce pan, sauté; celery, bell pepper & garlic.
Stir in beef broth, tomato sauce, yellow rice mix; bring to a boil again cover & reduce heat.
 Simmer until liquid has evaporated & rice is tender. Once cool serve over lettuce, top with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes & sprinkle with cheese.

To add pizzazz:
Turn it into a wrap on the go.
Take a tortilla wrap, place Jambalaya salad inside it. Roll n' Go!

Sweet Potato lasagna

Sweet potato lasagna

Serves: 12

4 c. Spaghetti sauce
2 c. Ricotta cheese
1 c. Cottage cheese
4oz. Grated mozzarella cheese
1 c. Mushrooms
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. Chopped garlic
6 medium sweet potatoes
2 Tbsps. Dried parsley

 Directions:
 Preheat oven to 350 spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Mix ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, and garlic. Pour 1c. of sauce in bottom of pan. Arrange the sweet potatoes in the pan so that they touch but don't over lap. Spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture over sweet potatoes. Top with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Top this with 1c. Sauce, 1/3 of sweet potato, the remainder of the cheese mixture and the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Add another cup of sauce, another layer of sweet potato, and the remainder of the sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, covered tightly with foil for 1hour.

Tres Leche Brownie Cake

Please consider reading what Living Better Cafe has to offer because Living Better Cafe Presents...Coffee Talk cares so much about you!.

Today Living Better Cafe is coming to bring you a recipe that, you never knew existed by revealing an awesome twist you never thought was possible, and Living Better Cafe knows you are going to enjoy every morsel to the last bite. Why Katrina has even made this once before, and there will be a video and some pictures coming very soon. But, Living Better Cafe just could not wait until Friday to share it with you. So, move over Food Challenge Show. Living Better Cafe has a better show to put on. Why this recipe is a recipe you sure want to keep to yourself. Living Better Cafe means: lock yourself in a room and eat your heart out "GOOD".

Tres Leche Brownie Cake

(Twist on Tres Leche Cake)

Serves: vary

1 lg box Brownie mix *(I used instead of Brownie mix, Devil food cake mix.)
1 c. Heavy cream* (can not find heavy cream, I used coconut milk which works fine)
1 can Evaporate milk
1 can sweeten condensed milk

Directions:

Prepare and bake brownie mix using package directions for a 13x 9-inch baking pan. Pieces baked layer at 1-inch with a fork. Once the brownies are cool, pour milk over them and refrigerate overnight.

Storage: (Leftover)

Can last in the refrigerator for no more than a week.