Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pesto And Tomatoes

December 2, 2018/0 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Digestive Health, Food Categories, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Weight Management paleo, whole30, grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, raw vegetable noodles, faux pasta /by Stacey Isaacs

This recipe for raw zucchini noodles with pesto and tomatoes is one of the simplest ways to turn your food into medicine. The whole recipe takes only a few minutes and it’s so healing and fresh tasting — it’s a keeper!

I have always wanted to love zucchini noodles/zoodles/zucchini spaghetti — whatever you want to call it. I really really really want to like this ever-so-healthy veggie noodle as much as I like every type of pasta on the planet.

Well, I’ve finally figured out how I like zucchini noodles! And I even like them raw now!

Here’s my secret: lots of high-quality olive oil. I marinate my zoodles in a great tasting olive oil (my favorite right now is Kasandrinos Extra-Virgin olive oil), Himalayan salt, and freshly ground black pepper. The noodles, even though not cooked at all, end up having the best texture and taste. And, after they have marinated a bit, then I top it with whatever I’m feeling at the moment.

Olive oil is one of the world’s healthiest fats! Read my article on The Healing Power Of Olive Oil to learn more about this — believe me, you’ll be using this healing oil on everything!

The pesto in this recipe is vegan and it’s made with arugula, basil, and garlic, and of course olive oil!

This marinating step was an epiphany for me — I really do like zoodles! I know I’m a bit late to the party, but better late than never…

Here in New York City, where we are lucky enough to be able to walk a few blocks and find every type of pre-cut vegetable noodle, it was just sad that I wasn’t out there grabbing these beauties every time I saw them. And, as a wellness consultant in Manhattan, my clients were buying up the stock of these grain-free pastas and asking me how to prepare them. Everyone seemed to love them but me… well, it’s nice to be one of the crowd now!

I love to customize recipes for specific health concerns. So, when my clients ask me to put on my health coach and chef’s hat, I often customize faux pasta recipes for their specific needs. Let me customize a grain-free pasta recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation… I’d love to create a vegetable noodle recipe that addresses your specific needs!

Yes, you can stay healthy when everyone else is sick, so download my free Boost Your Immune System ebook.

I urge you to try the many types of vegetable noodles available. If you live in a city like I do, you can walk into Whole Foods or go to the local farmers market and grab a container of them. If not, you can purchase a spiralizer and make them pretty easily yourself.

Another trick I love, is to mix vegetable noodles with buckwheat noodles. This creates a dish that really has the bite of a traditional pasta. You can try this technique in my recipe for Szechuan Zoodles. And, for another great take on a simpler noodle, try these Zoodles With Raw Tomato Basil Sauce.

Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pesto And Tomatoes recipe:

Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

Arugula has a good amount of calcium and it also contains vitamins A, C and K. It is rich in potassium and it’s extra beneficial in the summer because it actually cools the body down. This delicious peppery green is also believed to be a libido booster. One of the first things I learned when I started really taking care of my health through proper nutrition, was to substitute dark greens for lighter greens whenever possible. One of the easiest, tastiest, and healthiest switches you can make is to swap out some of your lighter salad greens for peppery, dark arugula.

Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

If you make this Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pesto And Tomatoes recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pesto And Tomatoes

Print

Recipe type: paleo, whole30, grain-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, raw

Cuisine: vegetable noodles, faux pasta

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 4

This recipe for raw zucchini noodles with pesto and tomatoes is so simple and it's one of the nicest things you can do for your body! Got 10 minutes? You've got dinner!

Ingredients

3 cups zucchini noodles (store bought, or made with a spiralizer)
½ cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Himalayan salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups packed arugula
large handful fresh basil leaves (anywhere from about ¼ cup to 1 cup, depending on your taste)
¼ cup vegan Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
dried hot red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)

Instructions

Place the zoodles in a shallow pie plate or a dish with sides.
Pour ¼ cup olive oil on top.
Season with salt and pepper.
Toss gently and set aside.
Make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the arugula, basil, ¼ cup olive oil,and optional Parmesan cheese.
Process until combined well, but not totally smooth.
Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the marinated zoodles to a platter.
Scoop the pesto on top of the zoodles.
Arrange tomatoes all around.
Enjoy!

raw zucchini noodles with pesto and tomatoes

5 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados

July 23, 2018/2 Comments/in Blog Post /by Stacey Isaacs

Avocados are everywhere these days. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but read on and you will learn 5 little known health benefits of avocados. Then, keep scrolling down for some awesome unique healing recipes featuring this ever-so-popular ingredient… it’s not just for guacamole anymore…

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. They are the epitome of a superfood. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause… and some other things that we don’t often associate with avocado — like managing stress…

Did you know that avocados are fruits, not vegetables? They are. And, this fruit can actually lower your bad cholesterol.

One of my favorite things to do is to take a half of an avocado, inside the skin, drizzle hot sauce on top, and then eat it with a spoon — no muss no fuss. Oh, and then I rub the inside of the skin on my face — more on that later.

Avocado toast is huge right now. You can’t call up your Instagram feed without seeing tons of variations of these beautiful toasts all over. And then there’s guacamole. That’s timeless, and even more popular now with the ever-wonderful Taco Tuesday hype. I use guacamole as a condiment in place of mayonnaise — it’s especially good mixed into potato salads…

But, since avocados really are so healing, it makes sense to add them into your meal rotation on the regular. And, really, how much avocado toast can you eat? (Okay, maybe quite a lot…. haha.)

Stick with me and you’ll be making pasta sauces out of avocado. Your desserts will have hidden avocado in them. Smoothies… yup, they are great vehicles for hidden avocados. And, you need to start topping your soups, chilis, and stews with cubed avocado. If you start with a healthy chili or soup and then add the heart healthy fat of the avocado to it, there’ll be no stopping you.

I realize as I’m typing this article, that I’m focusing on the deliciousness of avocado as a food. But, really, the important take-away from this article is that avocado can truly heal some of your health conditions. So, read on…

Why Should You Listen To Me?

My passion is helping you heal yourself with food and herbs. It’s truly my calling. When I was studying for my Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, I knew that all of these amazing tenets of Eastern Medicine could be applied to food and used as everyday healing agents for so many people. I knew that if I combined what I was learning about the properties of food and herbs with what I already knew from my chef’s training, it would be life-changing.

And it is. My training in both Eastern and Western medicine, combined with my obsession with food and cooking, has given me a unique skillset that has helped so many people. And I want to help you. Nothing aggravates me more than knowing that these tools exist but that so many of you have not been taught them.

Everyone should know how to heal themselves with food and herbs. This should not be a secret.

If you eat the right foods for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you.

Food really is medicine!

And, when there are everyday foods that are so easy to fit into your everyday life, why wouldn’t you start there? Avocados are awesome. Let’s get started…

Here Are 5 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados

1. Avocados Balance Hormones

In Chinese medicine, avocados are prescribed to fertility patients. They help balance estrogen and progesterone levels and they also increase sperm count. I often tell my menopausal clients to start eating more avocados because they can be really helpful to reduce hot flashes.

When I studied Chinese medicine, I learned how important it is to eat foods that build up the quality of your blood. A major key to health is good quality blood and this is often achieved by eating red foods. That’s why I’m always pushing beets, pomegranate seeds, and black cherry juice. But, avocados — lusciously green as they are — also help build up your blood. How awesome is that? If your blood is healthy, your hormones can be much more easily balanced.

2. Avocados Help Balance Stress And Boost Your Mood

Balancing stress and balancing hormones go hand in hand. Often, when you are feeling really stressed, it’s because your hormones are out of balance. Same goes for mood. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados have been shown to help with depression. Avocados are rich in Vitamin B and many times anxiety occurs because of a B deficiency. This in itself is reason enough to amp up your avocado intake!

3. Avocados Will Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful

I mean this in the most basic way. One of the best things you can do for your skin is to eat an avocado and then flip the skin inside-out and rub the inside of the skin onto your face. Yes, you won’t look pretty for a few minutes. And, haha, I once did a video demonstrating this and I looked like a green fool but my skin is in awesome shape… The oleic acid in your new green face mask will reduce inflammation and your skin will be refreshed and happy.

While using the avocado topically really is awesome, eating avocados are great for your skin also. The monounsaturated fats and vitamins help your skin, hair, and nails stay healthy, youthful, and hydrated.

4. Avocados Can Help With Weight Loss

By now almost everyone has heard the mantra that fat doesn’t make you fat. Right? If you eat the right kinds of healthy fats, your body will thank you. You will feel full longer, you will feel healthier, and you will find it much easier to manage your weight without feeling like you are famished. Avocado has the right kind of healthy fat. And, as an added bonus, these green gems have been shown to help with your sugar addiction… talk about an awesome ingredient!

5. Avocados Can HelpFight Cancer

There are lots of cancer fighting foods available. In fact, I wrote a whole blog article about it. Very recent research has been showing that avocados need to be added to this growing list of anti-cancerous foods. The phytochemical in avocados can help prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. Because they are rich in cancer-fighting carotenoids they should now be a part of every chemo-protective diet.

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

I’m Here To Help You

If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and you’ll find some great simple recipes to help you add more avocados to your diet. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Really, it’s just a matter of thinking outside of the box. Place some avocados on your counter. Right there where you can easily see them. Every time you make yourself something to eat, look at those avocados and think about how you can incorporate them into whatever you are making. As you’ll see below, they even make great desserts.

I like to take this approach with whatever healing ingredient I’m focused on for the week. Last week I kept my fresh mint on my kitchen counter and on the top shelf of my refrigerator — in glasses of water, like aromatic bouquets. This made it easy for me to imagine using healing mint (Bo He in Chinese herbal medicine) in things I normally wouldn’t have thought to use it in.

Some Deliciously Simple Ways To Add More Avocado To Your Diet

1. Zoodles With Creamy Avocado Pesto

This creamy avocado pesto sauce can be used on any type of veggie noodle or grain-free pasta of your choice. You can also add tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs… so many things… so do what makes you happy.

2. Creamy Vegan Chocolate Mousse

I know making desserts out of avocado can sound weird. But you need to try this. The chocolate taste comes through and the avocado is just there to create a creamy texture.

3. Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta

Mint and avocado together are an incredibly healing duo — and this pasta is delicious!

If you make any of these avocado recipes, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Zoodles With Raw Tomato Basil Sauce

April 22, 2017/2 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, vegetables, sauce, zucchini noodles, vegetables, zoodles recipe adapted from: [i]The Fully Raw Diet [/i]cookbook /by Stacey Isaacs

These zoodles with raw tomato basil sauce can actually help calm your mind…

Honesty time. I don’t love zucchini noodles. I really want to, but I just don’t. I know everyone, everywhere, is saying that noodles are a great substitute for spaghetti. Yeah, right. Not so much for me. BUT, they are so good for you — especially these zoodles with raw tomato basil sauce — that I made it my mission to figure out why I don’t love noodles as much as everyone else seems to.

This is what I figured out: I just don’t love them when I think of them as spaghetti. When I’m expecting a big heaping bowl of satisfying pasta, any kind of vegetable, no matter how good it is, just isn’t going to cut it. So, here’s my trick. I serve them with a cold sauce (and this one is delicious), so that it seems more like a salad-y dish than a pasta dish. This way I’m not disappointed. And, let me tell you, the flavor is so good, it’s the best salad ever!

I guess it’s a mental thing. A mind over matter thing.

But, I can honestly say, I love these zoodles with raw tomato basil sauce as a side dish for my grilled fish. Or with my collard wrap for lunch. And I used the sauce as a salsa for some grain-free chips too! Ah, a multitasking dish… you gotta love it!

If you are a zucchini lover, you should also try my recipe for Vegan Skillet Zucchini Parmesan!

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this recipe for zoodles with raw tomato basil sauce:

Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. This recipe uses both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.

Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations and hot flashes due to menopause.

Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and it is great at fighting bacteria. It’s also known as an herb that brings joy and happiness to people. I even just bought a bottle of oregano essential oil and I put a drop in our smoothies or water when anyone has a cold… it works great!

Celery actually helps stop bleeding — so if you or anyone you know has just had surgery, start adding celery to your dishes! Celery is also great to help lower blood pressure and it’s been known to help with insomnia.

Zoodles With Raw Tomato Basil Sauce

Print

Recipe type: paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, vegetables, sauce, zucchini noodles, vegetables, zoodles

Cuisine: recipe adapted from: The Fully Raw Diet cookbook

Author: Stacey @There's A Cook In My Kitchen

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 15 mins