Vintage breakfast idea – farmer's cheese

We are pleased to share with you our favorite simple and quick recipe for natural, old-school breakfast. It is made from probiotic farmer cheese, fresh chives and radish.  It tastes delicious when you eat it with fresh-baked bread.

Farmer cheese is a dairy product, popular and common in Europe. It is widely used as an ingredient for main dishes, side dishes, salads, sandwiches, desserts, cheesecakes. In Europe farmer cheese is available in most grocery stores, however in some parts of USA it’s barely known. We have found farmer cheese which is quite similar to European one. It’s Lifeway Farmer Cheese Probiotic, we use it to prepare our breakfast. 

INGRENDIENTS

• 1  lb farmer’s cheese
• 3 chopped radishes
• Chives
• 2 pinches salt
• 2 pinches pepper (we used lemon pepper)
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix farmer’s cheese with yogurt. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. Chopped radish and chives. You can sliced one radish to decorate your dish before serving.
3. Add chopped vegetables to farmer’s cheese and mix together. 

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Almond oil - beauty and health benefits

Almond oil is made from sweet almond seeds and is one of the most valuable natural oils. It is thought, that almond oil provides beauty and health benefits, thus it is widely used in cosmetics, cooking and to support medical problems treatment.

The excellent Almond oil’s properties result from its natural nutrients content, such as: fiber, vitamin A, B, D, E and high level of fatty acid – oleic acid and linoleic acid. It is believed, that almond oil soothes, tones and moisturizes skin, prevents natural aging, supports immune system and has anti-inflammatory effect. 

Almond oil is made from sweet almond seeds and is one of the most valuable natural oils. It is thought, that almond oil provides beauty and health benefits, thus it is widely used in cosmetics, cooking and to support medical problems treatment.

The excellent Almond oil’s properties result from its natural nutrients content, such as: fiber, vitamin A, B, D, E and high level of fatty acid – oleic acid and linoleic acid. It is believed, that almond oil soothes, tones and moisturizes skin, prevents natural aging, supports immune system and has anti-inflammatory effect.

This almond oil I've found in Whole Foods.

Almond oil may improve hair strength and beauty.
Almond oil may be used as a conditioner for damaged, dry hair.  Small amount of almond oil, applied to the ends of hair, smooths and nourishes hair and prevents split ends.

Almond oil may prevent heart diseases.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory almond oil’s properties reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.  Almond oil also lowers level of LDL (bad cholesterol) and increases level of HDL (good cholesterol).

Almond oil may be good for digestive system.
Almond oil may decrease risk of colon cancer and is natural remedy for constipation.

Cooking with almond oil.
You have to know, that there are two kinds of almond oil – refined and cold-pressed, which are different in properties.

• Refined almond oil – is stable in high temperature, so it can be used in baking or frying. Nevertheless it doesn’t provide strong almond taste to dishes. During baking you may replace butter or other oils by almond oil. 
• Cold-pressed almond oil – has low smoke point and can’t withstand high temperatures, but it provides strong almond flavor to dishes. You may use it as an ingredient of smoothie or salad dressing.

Choose cold-pressed almond oil to tend your skin and hair beauty. Unrefined oil contains much more nutritional value, which can benefit your body.

Almond oil from Whole Foods.

                                                     

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What is European Kefir?

Ladies, how about starting your day with champagne?!

Can you believe it could be a healthy and wise choice for your morning routine?

Champagne we are writing about today is a unique and nutritious dairy drink called KEFIR.

Kefir (pronounced ke-feer) is a fizzy and refreshing milk smoothie, rich in active probiotic bacteria, proteins, calcium and vitamin D.

Kefir has been known in Middle and Eastern Europe for hundreds years and has been derived from cow, goat or sheep milk in natural fermentation process. This is why some call it “ the champagne of dairy” nowadays.

In your kitchen, kefir may be used as a smoothie base to be blended with different fruit or as a plain drink paired with grissini sticks.  There are many flavors and types of kefir in the market, but we strongly advise to choose plain/ traditional/ original.
It is always best to opt for food without sugar and artificial flavors!





Kefir has many health benefits such as:

             Probiotic properties  Antibacterial properties
Source of healthy nutrient
 Lowers risk of osteoporosis
 Helps solve digestive problems
 Boosts immune health.

Kefir is rich in live active probiotic cultures that support digestive health. Lifeway original kefir contains 12 live, active probiotic cultures such as Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei, Lb. rhamnosus, Lb. plantarum.

The good news about kefir as a dairy product is that it is nearly 99% lactose free and may be drunk by people with lactose intolerance.

Another kefir worth recommending is Siggi’s  plain Swedish style filmjӧlk. It consists of two ingredients only- pasteurized skim milk and live active cultures. I appreciate Siggi’s for using only simple ingredients and minimalizing sugar in their dairy products. Similarly to Lifeway kefir, Siggi’s filmjӧlk tastes wonderfully with fruit, granola, oats or grissini sticks.

If you are willing to introduce kefir or filmjӧlk (which is very similar) to your diet, start with one cup a day for a week and for best results combine it with breakfast or lunch in the beginning. Than you may drink up to two cups daily- it is a reasonable amount for a healthy person. Avoid drinking kefir day by day for a long periods of time. Remember, that you diet should be balanced and it is wise to eat a large variety of healthy foods.

          We will share some easy kefir recipes popular in Middle/ Northern/ Eastern Europe soon!                        
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Papaya, Banana & Ginger Smoothie

Perfect drink for early fall mornings!
The autumn is coming and summer laziness turned into busy working days. Prepare yourself to face everyday challenges by drinking this invigorating smoothie.

Health effects:

PAPAYA

•  Anti-aging effect - Vitamin C, Vit. E and antioxidants, including beta-carotene, can neutralize free radicals, which are responsible for cell damages.
• May prevent cancer – papaya is rich in lycopene (red carotene), which is believed to reduce risk of cancer.
• Remedy for constipation – papaya’s enzyme – papain – helps improve digestion.
• Prevents infections – papaya is highly rich in Vitamin C.
• It is believed that papaya prevents hearth diseases -  fiber in papaya decrease high cholesterol level.

BANANA

• May protect against high blood pressure – bananas are rich in potassium and low in sodium.
• Gives energy – banana’s fructose (natural sugar) is processing into glucose – fuel, which body can use for energy.
• Helps produce hemoglobin – Vitamin B6 in bananas is important in hemoglobin production – a protein responsible for carrying oxygen in blood.
• Helps to feeling full – due to content of dietary fiber, starch and pectin.

GINGER – ginger processing decrease its health benefits, but still grounded ginger has gingerol – one of the ginger’s oils, that is responsible for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Another compound is shogaol (higher level in grounded than in fresh ginger) which has strong anti-cough effect. Both gingerol and shogaol help reduce blood pressure.

 

Preparing time: 10min

Servings: 2 smoothies

Ingredients:

·        1/3 medium-sized papaya fruit

·        1 banana

·        2 pinches of grounded ginger

·        1 cup kefir (Lifeway plain kefir or Siggi’s plain filmjölk kefir)

Preparing smoothie:

Combine all ingredients in body of a blender and blend until smooth.  Or…

To obtain two fruit-layers of smoothie: blend banana and kefir separately from papaya and ginger.  

                       

                                                          

  A&A

Strawberry & Mango Smoothie

Our favorite morning energy booster to start the day in a great mood.

This delicious and fresh strawberry and mango smoothie is perfect for chilling on hot days or recalling summer vibes when fall is already coming.

You need only 2 ingredients! Strawberry and Mango!
This recipe is all about pure fruit smoothie with no additional sugar or flavors, thus no additional calories!

Health effects

Strawberries content lots of nutrients such as: vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium, folate and fiber. Folate supports healthy pregnancy - it is necessary to proper development of infant’s central nervous system. 

Mango is a great source of fiber, thus improves digestion and minimizes constipation. It is also rich in vitamin A- essential for vision, healthy mucous and skin.
Both strawberries and mangoes are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients – which means they have anti-aging  and  cancer risk- lowering properties.

Preparing time: 5 minutes

Servings: 2 smoothies

Ingredients:

•      3 cups halved strawberries (you may use frozen strawberries)
•    1 medium mango

Mix strawberries and mango separately to obtain two fruit layers.

Preparing mango smoothie layer:

•     Wash and peal mango.
•     Cut into pieces and put in a body of a blender.
•     Blend until smooth.

Preparing strawberry smoothie layer:

•     Wash and halve strawberries.
•     Place fruit in body of a blender and pulse until smooth.
•     Fill each glass with mango mix to a half full. Then you can pour strawberry mix on the other half or you can use a spoon to receive two gently separate fruit layers. Decorate smoothies with fresh mint leaves and serve chilled.

    Enjoy your delicious, healthy smoothie!

A&A