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Cooking, Canning and Freezing Tomatoes IDEAS

For many of us with backyard gardens, summertime means harvesting the fruit of our labor. Tomatoes are often plentiful as they are the favorite of many families and easily grown. If your family has an abundance of fresh tomatoes, here are recipes as well as canning and freezing techniques to help your deal with all those tomatoes.

Canning and Freezing Tomatoes

How to Can Tomatoes
Canning tomatoes can seem intimidating at first, but this step by step guide will have you canning your own tomatoes in no time.

How to Freeze Tomatoes
Fresh tomatoes tend to break up after freezing, but frozen tomatoes are perfect for casseroles and sauces. Here's how to freeze your own tomatoes.

Tomato Recipes

Tomato Salad
Made with red and yellow tomatoes and cucumbers, this easy summertime salad is sure to please your family.

Tomato Soup
A rich and creamy recipe for tomato soup.

Dilly Green Tomatoes
Dill, pickled tomatoes are a great way to use up those small, green tomatoes. Stored in airtight jars, dilly green tomatoes are available all year long.

Spicy Salsa
This spicy and tasty salsa is excellent served with tortilla chips or with your favorite Mexican-food recipe.

Ripe Tomato Preserves
This old-fashioned recipe can be used in recipes calling for canned or crushed tomatoes.

Tomato Dumplings
These tomato dumplings are good as a side dish or a light meal by themselves.

A vegan pizza recipe using fresh tomato and basil as well as plenty of cholesterol-free vegan cheese. This pizza recipe actually calls for rice-based non-dairy cheese, so it's a great recipe to try if you need a dairy-free and soy-free vegan pizza recipe.

Ingredients:

* 1 pre-made pizza crust ( whole wheat)
* 1 tsp olive oil
* 1 tsp chopped garlic
* 1 large tomato, sliced thin
* 5 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
* 1 tsp oregano
* 3/4 cup vegan pizza sauce
* 1 tsp vegan parmesan cheese
* 2 cups vegan mozzarella flavored cheese

Preparation:

Note: you can add & add & add as much veggies and veggie protein or smoked tofu to your pizza just remember to use more vegan chesse.

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Brush pizza crust with olive oil. Spread minced garlic over crust. Top crust with pizza sauce.

Spread 1/2 of the vegan Mozzarella flavored shreds over the sauce, sprinkle with oregano, then top with thinly sliced tomatoes.

Spread remaining shreds over entire pizza, sprinkle with vegan Parmesan cheese and top with torn basil leaves.

Place in oven 10 - 12 minutes or until the vegan cheese is melted.

Did You Know tomatoes reduces the cholesterol level of body.?

Tomato is loaded with multiple health benefits. Consumption as well as direct application of tomatoes does wonder for your body as well as skin. It cures various skin ailments as well as various body disorders.

During summers, our body sweats leaps and bounds. This leads to loss of water content in our body. In extreme cases, due to excessive exposure to blistering and sweltering sun, our body gets dehydrated and loses lot of water. But eating tomatoes in summers replaces the water and salt content lost by body due to soaring temperature and blistering heat.

Eating tomatoes in case of congestion of liver gives you fruitful results. Tomatoes also aids in dissolving of gallstones.

Nicotine acid present in tomatoes reduces the cholesterol level of body. This way tomato keeps the body away from heart ailments like hear attack, heart blockage etc.

Tomatoes are very effective in purifying the blood.

Tomatoes contain lycopene which is a vital antioxidant, fighting against the formation of cancerous cells.

Regular intake of tomatoes also improves the texture of your skin and color. It provides natural redness to your cheeks. You can prepare various face-packs in your home using tomatoes as per your skin type that can rejuvenate and refresh your skin.

Since ages, tomato is known to be a natural antiseptic. Intake as well as application of tomatoes works wonders for your body both internally as well as externally.

Tomatoes are treasure trove of nutrients like vitamin c that strengthens your immunity against diseases; vitamin A for proper functioning of eyes and glowing and ailment free skin. It also contains potassium that helps in muscle cramps. It is rich in folic acid too. As tomatoes are rich in all these above nutrients doctor recommends regular intake of tomatoes to people, suffering from high homocysteine level.

Grapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes, typically wine grapes.

Grapeseed Oil

	Selection of Grapes

Botanical Name: Vitus vinifera

Aroma: Light. Slightly Nutty and Sweet.

Viscosity: Thin.

Absorption/Feel: Leaves a Glossy Film on the Skin.

Color: Virtually Clear. Has a Virtually Unnoticeable Tinge of Yellow/Green.

Shelf Life: 6-12 Months.

	Sliced Grapes Reveal Seeds

Grapeseed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes, typically wine grapes. Since grape seeds are usually discarded as part of the wine making process, the extraction and sale of grapeseed oil can be a profitable sideline, as well as an efficient use of a byproduct. In the twentieth century, grapeseed oil began to be processed and sold in much higher volume, primarily in the United States and Europe. Many stores sell pure grapeseed oil for various applications.

Because each seed yields a small amount of oil, grapeseed oil is usually extracted chemically. The chemical extraction does have an impact on the flavor of the oil, but it makes grapeseed oil affordable for people who want to purchase it. The oil is known for being light in color and flavor, with a hint of nuttiness. It is a polyunsaturated oil, and contains beneficial compounds such as linoleic acid.

There are two primary uses for grapeseed oil: cosmetics and culinary applications. When purchasing grapeseed oil to use in food, make sure that it is clearly marked as food grade. Some cosmetic grapeseed oils are stabilized with chemicals which could be harmful to consume. Like other oils, grapeseed oil should be stored in a cool dark place until it is used, unless it has been heavily stabilized. For people who use it rarely, refrigeration is best. Although grapeseed oil may congeal slightly, it will go rancid much more slowly when kept in the fridge.

In foods, grapeseed oil has numerous uses. It has a very high smoking point, so many people use grapeseed oil to fry foods. It can also be included in dressings and sauces, and since it emulsifies very well, it does not generally separate when used to make things like vegan mayonnaise. The flavor is also unobtrusive, allowing diners to focus on the main component of the dish. Culinary grapeseed oil can also be flavored with the addition of things like peppers, truffle shavings, and herbs.

In cosmetics, grapeseed oil is widely used. It is often combined with other oils to make massage oil, since it glides well on the skin and it also has moisturizing properties. Grapeseed oil appears to assist with skin repair, as it has mildly astringent and antiseptic qualities. Some companies use grapeseed oil as a short term natural preservative in body products, while others integrate it into moisturizing creams, sunscreen, and an assortment of other products.

PECAN HEALTH STUDIES

* Eating pecans is heart-healthy.
* Eating pecans can lower your cholesterol.
* Eating pecans can lower your risk of heart disease.
* Pecans are a good source of important nutrients.

Adding pecans to a low-fat diet can significantly improve the cholesterol-lowering properties of a heart-healthy diet. According to two new studies (Loma Linda University and Texas A&M University), a heart-healthy diet, such as American Heart Association's Step I Diet, is more effective in lowering cholesterol when pecans are added - even though the pecans added more total fat to the diet. And study participants did not gain weight on the pecan diet. This confirms that it is the type of fat in the diet (i.e. the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat in pecans) that is more important to heart health than total fat intake. These studies showed that the addition of pecans to a heart healthy diet decreased the levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, more than the Step I diet, and helped maintain desirable levels of "good" HDL cholesterol.

A pecan-rich diet also increased levels of dietary fiber, and essential nutrients such as thiamin, magnesium, copper and manganese (Texas A&M study).

New Mexico State University researchers have also found that simply adding pecans to an average self-selected diet lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol levels by six percent in study subjects.

The April 2001 issue of Metabolism reports that a diet rich in nuts, vegetables and fruits may reduce cholesterol levels as much as medication.

The National Cholesterol Education Program notes that for every 1% reduction in LDL cholesterol, there is a 1.5% reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease. Thus, the pecan diets in the Loma Linda and Texas A&M studies would correspond with a 25% decreased risk of heart disease.

Plant sterols are found naturally in pecans in concentrated amounts. 90% of the sterols in pecans is in the form of beta-sitosterol (Univ. of Georgia study), a food component that competes with the absorption of cholesterol in the body and thus has the ability to lower blood cholesterol.

The Vitamin E in pecans (gamma tocopherol) may improve intestinal, prostate health. Gamma tocopherol is an important antioxident which has been shown to provide benefits for intestinal health and a protective effect for prostate cancer.

University of North Carolina researchers have shown that Vitamin E in the diet may also guard against heart disease, Parkinson's disease and cataracts.

Pecan kernels contain 65 to 70 percent oil. Approximately 73 percent of fresh pecan oil consists of monounsaturated (oleic) and 17 percent polyunsaturated (linoleic) fatty acids. Oleic is the same fatty acid found in olives. Olive oil has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Pecans are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acid - similar to olive oil.

Dr. Scott Grundy at the Southwest Medical Center in Dallas has shown that polyunsaturated fat diets lowered both plasma LDL and HDL cholesterol. However, the monounsaturated fat diet only lowered plasma "BAD" LDL and left the "GOOD" HDL intact resulting in a higher HDL/LDL ratio that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

In 1997 researchers at New Mexico State University found that pecan consumption significantly lowered total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in both high and low cholesterol subjects. Pecan consumption lowered "BAD" LDL-cholesterol by 10% in both high and low subjects at 4 weeks into the study. Pecan consumption had no effect on the "GOOD" HDL-cholesterol levels. The result was a higher HDL/LDL ratio that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Pecans are a great source of antioxidants - similar to red wine.

Top Super foods offering Super Health Protection

Top Super foods offering Super Health Protection

· Beans

· Blueberries

· Broccoli

· Oats

· Oranges

· Pumpkin

· KALE

· Soy

· Spinach

· Tea (green or black)

· Tomatoes

· HEMP protein and Lecithin

· Walnuts

· Soy or coconut yogurt

• · Fill up on these great super foods and watch the weight drop
  

If you're looking for the best way to supercharge your low carb diet,
focus on these TOP 14 SUPER FOOD
It's easy and delicious to include these super foods in your weight loss diet plan:

• TOMATOES
  are rich in Vitamin C and helps to naturally produce carnitine, an amino acid that helps you burn fat. You can also consider watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmons, red-fleshed papaya and strawberry guava, which helps to lower insulin. Gazpacho is a great way to use tomatoes and get all the benefits.
• BLUEBERRIES
  These little packages are phytonutrient powerhouses. Consider raspberries, cherries, purple grapes (I freeze them and pop one in my mouth for a mini grapecicle). Blueberry muffins will be a favorite of your family.
• SPINACH
  Another fiber super food that also contains iron for those with low ferritin levels. Options include kale, collards, Swiss chard, turnip greens, bok choy and romaine lettuce.
• SOY
  Isoflavones in soy can help prevent fat storage, but not if you have a thyroid condition. Consider Tofu, soy nuts, tempeh, miso and edamame..
• ORANGES
  The pectin in fresh oranges (not the juice) is a super fiber found in the white part of citrus fruits and can make you feel full with fewer calories. Consider white or pink grapefruit, kumquats, and tangerines.
• BEANS
  The combination of fiber and protein in this food source increases feelings of fullness and helps to stabilize your blood sugar. Consider Pinto, Navy, Lima, chickpeas (which lower insulin levels).
• BROCCOLI
  You don't have to be "Bush 41" to understand what you're missing if you leave broccoli out of your diet. It's packed with fiber (5gm per 45 calorie serving) and spilling over with carotenoids, antioxidants that can help with weight loss. Consider Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, turnips, collards, bok choy and mustard greens. If you have a thyroid condition.
• Loads of Nutrients for ANY Diet
  
  
• PUMPKIN
  Squashes are rich in carotenoids, not to mention fiber. It's yummy mixed with ricotta cheese for a low carb snack. Just remember...don't use the Pumpkin Pie cans, just plain steamed pumpkin. Consider butternut squash, orange bell peppers and raw carrots.
• OATMEAL
  Steel cut oats are chocked full of fiber and can lower your calorie needs for your next meal by 30%. Consider wheat germ, ground flaxseed, brown rice, barley, buckwheat, rye, millet, wild rice, quinoa, amaranth and whole wheat couscous.
• WALNUTS
  Nuts are a great source of hunger-killing elements, such as omega 3 fatty acids with only 1.2 net carbs per 2 Tbs. You can get the same benefit from a handful of almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, hazelnuts and cashews.
• TEA
  This drink has no carbs but loads of flavanoids, which can increase your metabolism. Either green or black teas do the trick, but avoid herbal teas.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Raw and Unfiltered. Good for what ails ya!

Apple Cider Vinegar, Raw and Unfiltered. Good for what ails ya!

There is truth in the saying an Apple a day will keep the doctor away. Pure Apple Cider Vinegar (raw and unfiltered) is loaded with Potassium, Phosphorous, Cholerine, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Fluorine, Silicon, plus many other trace elements. Once you distill vinegar, any curative properties are destroyed.

Apple Cider Vinegar is good for many things. I'll start with the obvious benefits that I have experienced using ACV. Apple Cider Vinegar slows or stops hair loss. Apples cider vinegar cures a nautious tummy. Apple Cider Vinegar will stop a cough caused by a cold and phlegm build up and helps you to get over it quicker, because it breaks up the phlegm. Apple Cider Vinegar keeps you regular ;-)

• I drink it like a tea,
  
• with hot water,
  
• 2 tsps of Apple Cider Vinegar
  
• and AGAVE nectar about twice daily.
• Lots of times I'll also add green tea or blueberry tea.

Chef Mayra’s Hearty Vegan Crockpot Stew

Chef Mayra’s Hearty Vegan Crock pot Stew

Serves: 8-10 Preparation time: 4-7 hours

5 cups faux “chicken” broth
3 tablespoons brigs Amino acids sauce
1 teaspoon organic Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
5 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire or TAMARI
3 heaping tablespoons whisked with a little water until not lumpy
1 8 oz can organic tomato sauce
1-2 cans organic diced roma tomatoes with basil and garlic

3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup white mushrooms, diced
1 small sweet potato and 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
2-3 zucchini, sliced

2 cups of cauliflower
3/4 cup corn
3/4 cup peas
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
3/4 cup uncooked red lentils
1 cup regular garbanzo beans
1 cup green garbanzo beans

Directions:

The directions for this are pretty simple: I just throw everything in (I refuse to pre-sauté anything or add ingredients at different times because that defeats the purpose of the Crockpot, to me*), leave it for 6-8 hours on low, or 4 or so hours on high, come back et voila: dinner!

Chef Notes:

This stew is high protein and really yum. You'll get a lot of meals out of this with minimal effort.
I like to garnish each bowl with a dollop of Tofutti before serving.
Sometimes I also like to add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and Fresh Spinach and Cilantro chopped to the stew before serving.
*If you want, you might sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in a little light olive oil before tossing them in. Personally I think they taste fine either way is a choice that you have.