Clay-mania!

Bentonite clay is renowned for its clarifying and deep cleansing properties. Natives realized, thousands of years ago, that ingesting small amounts of the substance with meals acted as a medicine that relieved a wide variety of ailments. Today, we now know that this medicinal clay can be used just as effectively externally as it is internally!

Redmond, a city in Utah, is located near a buried treasure trove of benotonite clay left behind from volcano eruptions long ago. Their clay contains more than 50 trace minerals essential to the human body and its health! Not only do they provide a pure powder form of the clay, excellent for both internal and external use, but they also boast a hydrated clay "Facial Mud" mask! It works wonders to treat and heal the skin by drawing out toxins and removing impurities while toning skin at the same time!



Stop by Food For Thought and try nature's own bentonite clay!

From Jack-O-Lantern to Seeds-O-Health!

Don't throw out that carved masterpiece of pumpkin flesh until you've rescued the seeds!

Toasted pumpkin seeds are easy to make and taste delicious. Besides that they have great health benefits! They not only help with prostate and bladder issues but also help with learning disabilities and depression. They are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and contain phytosterols, a compound found in plants that is believed to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent some cancers.

Toasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe

Ingredients:

One medium sized pumpkin

Salt

Olive oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut open the pumpkin and use a strong metal spoon to scoop out the insides. Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse the seeds.
2. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (more if you like your seeds saltier). Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
3. Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread the seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 10-20 minutes. When browned to your satisfaction, remove from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating. Either crack to remove the inner seed (a lot of work and in my opinion, unnecessary) or eat whole.

If you would like to avoid the salt and oil or you just don't want to deal with the gross "interior" of the pumpkin you can always find raw pumpkin seeds in our bulk bins. We also carry a new line called Gerbs Pumpkin Seeds for the more adventurous fans of this seed. They offer flavored varieties including milk and dark chocolate clusters as well as roasted red pepper, onion/garlic and lightly salted!

Vegan Wednesday! Vegan Marshmallow treats!

"Krispy Treats" made with Dandie's Vegan Marshmallows
as seen on Whole Food Vegan blog.

Chicago Soydairy Dandies (vegan marshmallows), Cocoa Brown Rice cereal and Puffed Millet, Earth Balance

1 package Dandies
3 tbs Earth Balance Buttery Spread
6 cups cereal

Over low heat, melt Earth Balance with Dandies until fully melted, Add in cereal while mixture is still warm, Incorporate thoroughly, Press mixture into 9x9 glass baking dish. Chill, cut, serve, devour.

These are great for Halloween party treats!!

Gluten-Free Tuesday: Jovial Pasta!

My favorite gluten-free pastas have new competition... Jovial Foods, known for their einkorn pasta, has recently come out with 5 delicious brown rice pastas! The brown rice pastas are made in a dedicated facility, free of casein, eggs, tree nuts and peanuts, in addition to gluten! It is made in Italy, using organic rice flour grown in the country- and let's face it, who makes better pasta than the Italians?

Here at Food for Thought, we currently stock the fusilli and capellini varieties. Jovial also makes gluten-free versions of spaghetti, penne rigate and caserecce noodles- yummy!

A side note from Jovial: the pastas cook best if the water is left at a rolling boil the entire cook time! They have some delicious recipes on their website, too. Click here to check out their website!

Stop in the store, pick up a box and try it with some of your favorite recipes today!

Entertaining Naturally Savings!

Head over here to Hain's Celestial Group's Entertaining Naturally website.  You can enter for a chance to win $1,000 in free groceries!   Plus, there is a coupon for $3 off $10(or more) purchase.  Hain includes great brands such as Arrowhead Mills, Spectrum, Imagine, Sunspire, (and of course) Hain Pure Foods.   The site also includes recipes and entertaining tips.

Print the coupon now and use with upcoming sales on these brands!