Susan Teton

Sugar & Gluten Free Brownies

May 23, 2017

These brownies can be made a couple of ways. They were designed for my 3-Part Video Series titled: How To Stop Sugar Cravings & Why You Must. This series is just a short version of some strategies on how to quit sugar and rid yourself of sugar cravings - forever!

Give these brownies a try. I found them to be very hearty and great for a travel snack or afternoon pick up! Since they be made with eggs or flax meal they are good for vegans or Paleo's.

Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup almond meal

1/4 cup coconut flour

3 eggs - or 6 tbsp flax meal (soaked in 1/2 cup water)

2 tbsp unsweetened cacao powder

1 cup coconut oil (melted) Barlean's Coconut Culinary Oil is also good.

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup melted unsweetened chocolate (or 1/2 cup more of cacao powder). If you use the chocolate the brownies will come out more moist. You can also use 85% dark chocolate.

1 tbsp Singing Dog Vanilla

2 tbsp Xylotol or powdered Stevia. Careful here to get the sweetness you like. Remember that when you bake them they will come out slightly less sweet than what they taste like before baking. You can also add a little rice syrup or coconut syrup for more sweetness, flavor and moisture.

1/2 cup walnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cover glass pan with baking paper or coconut oil and a little coconut flour.

Whsk together the eggs or flax, melted coconut oil (not hot), vanilla, sweetening powder, cocoa powder, and baking soda.

Stir in melted chocolate

Combine in the almond meal, coconut flour and nuts (sugar free cocoa nibs or chocolate chips)

Bake for about 20 minutes until the toothpick comes out clean. Don't overcook or they will dry out. Cool and enjoy.

These are hearty and great for an afternoon snack!

The 2017 Food Revolution Summit - Get it NOW

May 7, 2017

Check out this powerful summit HERE. This summit will provide you everything you need to know about the dreadful situation around our food supply, and everything you need to know to protect yourself, become involved, and get healthy. You will not find a more powerful, comprehensive education anywhere else. It is brought to you by John and Ocean Robbins. If you missed it, purchase the transcripts and audio interviews. Your life depends on it. This may sound dramatic, and it should, because it is. Many do not realize that most fatal diseases, emotional problems, dementia, and depression (to name a few) have a great deal to do with what you eat and how our food is grown. Now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to empower and protect you with the knowledge that you must have. Go HERE NOW.

The summit just ended, but you can still get the transcripts at an affordable price. By the way, my Raw Food Basics Course is offered as a bonus. Do it!

*** Want to learn more about how I went to work with John Robbin's to head up a program to get healthier food in schools? Read an except HERE from my new book, "Eating As A Spiritual Practice" that tells the magical story.

How I Magically Went To Work With John Robbins & EarthSave International

May 7, 2017

Many of you may know that my professional foodie career started in 1992 when I went to work with John Robbins (author of Diet For A New America), and now the founder of The Food Revolution Network. I worked with John and a great team during the 90's to direct the Healthy School Lunch Program for EarthSave International. The coolest thing about my work with EarthSave was how it came to be. In my new book, Eating As A Spiritual Practice, I tell my story about my work in schools, along with all the other challenges that go along with a dynamic life. Since the Food Revolution just finished another fabulous summit, I thought I would share with you the part of my story of how I magically landed in a job I had been dreaming about for years. It may leave you wholeheartedly believing in the law of attraction. Enjoy!

This story picks up at the end of my first Rainbow Gathering - 1992. Todd was my good friend that turned into my partner and co-director of the Healthy School Lunch Program with me.

Changing Me and My Life Forever

The Rainbow Gathering was full of challenging surprises and gifts: rainy cold weather, new friends, drumming circles, walks in the night, cooking outdoors, and beautiful lovemaking. Todd and I were together constantly, discovering what it was like to love your best friend. We had so much in common, sharing a deep love for the Earth, the Black Hills, our friends, and the camaraderie that flourished as we built, played, and worked together as a tribe in the forest. Living in the forest was another lesson. Each night, while driving down the dirt road to our tent, a white owl flew across our path, signifying to us that we were breaking the veil of illusion that pervaded our prior understanding and reuniting with the natural world and its order.

After seven days, the gathering was coming to an end. Todd and I left the Black Hills, our new buddies, and campsite to spend a few days adventuring together through the reservations, teaching what we could about “food as medicine.” We laughed, dreamed, and visioned. Then we decided to “impulse” for a couple of days throughout the Bad Lands. “Impulsing” was the term we used when we would let our spirits live in the moment and see where our unseen selves would take us.We were falling in love. The euphoria of our feelings grew deeper in me by the day, building by the moment. Aligning with Todd’s integrity, purpose, and passion had planted a seed in me that was more than gratifying. It permeated my entire being with an emotion that reached far beyond my mortal self, as I knew me. It was so comfortable and seemed mutually enhancing, as parts of me awakened while other parts died. Even though we were fifteen years apart in age, we were like teenagers, loving with total abandonment, no boundaries, no fear, and free to adventure into the unknown with authentic trust. His youthfulness inspired an aliveness and playfulness in me that had lain dormant for years, and my wisdom and experience in the world satisfied his hunger for knowledge and maturity. We met each other somewhere in the middle, creating a powerful synergy. We experienced the finest kind of intimacy, beginning with the mind, traveling through the core of our bodies, and reaching our hearts with an explosion. It’s the kind of love that cannot be felt by one alone, it comes only from two.

Journeying with Buffalo Medicine

Late one afternoon, we ventured into Bad Lands National Park in South Dakota, driving all the way down to the end of the park, where a small camping area awaited us. It was about 5 p.m., when the sun and moon began dancing together as their light intertwined. Acting like rebels and wanting to be alone, we sneaked past the small camp area, carrying our tent and gear down into the ravine along the river, where the large cottonwoods provided shade, privacy, and beauty. We hustled to set up our tent and get back up to the top of the mountain crest where a golden grass trail awaited visitors.

A handful of people walked in silence along the top of a knoll. Free from trees, a wide and expansive view of the canyons surrounded us and enlivened all our senses. The serene beauty called for nothing more than visceral submersion. Excitedly, little squirrels and marmots poked their heads out of the earth to get a glimpse as well. We found a place and sat for a while, with our dinner of nuts, seeds, and dried and fresh fruits. Backpacking and camping calls for such simplicity. I had never felt so nourished and whole.

Later, as the sun set and the moon rose, we got into the car with a plan to find a cool place in the park where we could play and dream for hours into the night. We ventured off the main road, onto a little dirt road that beckoned us. With the moonlight as our guide, we parked and hiked out onto a high knoll that reached deep into the canyon. With blankets, water, and a little tequila, we settled in for the evening, talking, loving, and visioning for what seemed like hours. We were definitely in our own world.

Feeling quit serious and passionate about reversing the rising epidemic of diseases throughout the Native American culture, and feeling empowered by our knowledge, Todd and I asked ourselves, “If we were to dedicate our lives to help shift this situation, what would be the single most powerful thing we could do to make a difference?” The government not only subsidizes our nation’s Native American reservations, but also our National School Lunch Program (NSLP). These programs share another similarity: They are both equally ineffective. While not naïve enough to think the NSLP was solely to blame for the escalating problems our school-aged children were facing, Todd and I acknowledged that our children receive the majority of their nutrition education in our public schools, along with meals that are incongruent with that education and their lifestyles. “This has just got to change,” we claimed with naïve inspiration.

As the health of our nation’s children rapidly declines (with diseases like diabetes, obesity, and ADHD), fast food has replaced cafeterias in about 30 percent of our nation’s schools! Our students are offered an arsenal of cheap and readily available junk foods within their own schools’ walls, all for the quick and easy taking. While we thought it disgusting, others thought it was great.

That night in the Bad Lands of South Dakota, out on the top of a canyon knoll, under the light of the full moon, Todd and I made a pact to dedicate the next phase of our lives to heralding a new message of diet and nutrition in our schools to change meal offerings. With passion, conviction, naiveté, and laughter over the daunting task, we said, “Let’s revolutionize the National School Lunch Program.” And, with that, we shook on it like two kids on a secret escapade with the breath of the mountain beneath us. You know what they say—“where two or more are gathered”—even if they are a little tipsy on tequila.

As the moon moved across the sky toward the end of its nighttime journey, we packed up and walked to the car to drive the dirt road back to our tent. Suddenly, we spotted a buffalo, lingering on the side of the road. Stopping with ease and tenderness, we got out of the car and Todd played a song on the flute; then we sat quietly with him for a while. He seemed to enjoy our company.

Later, about 4 a.m., back at the tent while getting ready to sleep, we heard a loud rustling in the bushes. Todd said, “Quick, turn off the lantern.” With our tent black, Todd peeked through the sides, then turned to me in a whisper, “It’s the buffalo, and he is not alone.” Several buffalo circled our tent and proceeded to lie down around us. For the rest of the dark night, we slept and dreamed to the rhythm of the buffalo, who were breathing deeply in slumber with us.

When we woke up, they were gone, but the grass from their earthly beds still lay flat with the warmth and essence of their bodies.This experience of profound connection to the animal kingdom signaled to us that we were on the right path with our vision and intentions. Already unstoppable, we felt even more fueled by the buffalo’s medicine of strength. We were humbled and our commitment was imbued with deep conviction. We sat by the river, the sun sparkling on the water as we cast a sunrise prayer for guidance. We bathed, ate breakfast, packed our tent, and headed back to our camp and straight into our vision.

Within two days, I was scheduled to fly back to work at the spa. I felt ready since I don’t think I could have processed much more than what had already transpired. Again, I was, as Abraham (Esther Hicks) would say, “tuned in, tapped in, turned on.” Love that feeling. I believe now that if you truly surrender long enough, you will make enough space for the magic to seep into your life. Wide open trust must accompany surrender.

Synchronicity and Becoming Aligned

Two days later, I flew back to New York to return to my job at the spa. Todd remained in the Black Hills for a few days and was then on his way to Arizona. It was 7 a.m. as I drove up the long driveway, and 8 a.m. by the time I entered my office. With my handbag still on my shoulder, I answered the persistent phone. My friend from Los Angeles, Claire Townsend, said, “Hi, Susan. I don’t know if you know it or not, but I sit on the board of EarthSave International, the organization founded by John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America.”

Claire was one of my most treasured friends from my days in the film industry. Mutual friends had hooked us up, knowing we would connect because of our shared passions. However, I had not spoken to Claire since I had moved to New York. She went on, “Do you know of EarthSave?” I exclaimed, “Yes, yes, I have been handing out their materials all over the Black Hills of South Dakota!” Claire continued, “We have been looking for someone to head up a program to get healthier food into schools, and we haven’t been able to find the right person. While I was meditating on finding someone, your name kept popping into my head. Would this interest you at all?” I exploded with excitement!

Several months earlier, I had purchased a plane ticket to California. Whether mere coincidence or serendipity, the ticket shared the exact dates that EarthSave would hold its next board meeting. Both Todd and I arrived, met John Robbins and his staff, and immediately joined them as the co-directors of the Healthy School Lunch Program. We could barely believe it.

The Dawning of a New Life

For the next several years, I inhabited a world previously foreign to me and extremely humbling. I was naïve and quite idealistic before starting my new job (and even several years into it). Unfortunately, there were problems looming within our food system beyond the fast-food burger. Although we made great changes in the schools where we worked, school food systems worsened overall, and the epidemic of youth-related diseases continued to escalate to alarming proportions.

I learned from experience that most people know what healthy food is, and they know that junk food is junk. But many do not realize just how profoundly their junky food choices affect their health and the health of our youth. They are confused about dietary choices and simply lack the skills, the time, or the resources to prepare their own nourishing food. If we were to put our focus on growing our own “human garden,” we would make great strides in healing our communities, our eco-systems, and ourselves. Our children are the seeds of our future. We, their parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, must become model stewards, for our own sake, so we can lead them toward the way of wellness, connection, and excellence.

End

Want to know more? Pre-order the book HERE with a worthy BONUS (my course on how to make easy and delicious veggies with herbs and spices (currently call "Healing Foods Ayurvedic")

Go HERE to Register: Eating As A Spiritual Practice

Summit: Eating As A Spiritual Practice

April 26, 2017

2 Days left. Ends Friday night, April 28th.

Wow, what a great summit this was. Just look at all these cool people. There are two more days to listen. Check out what many are saying. Join us on FB: Eating As A Spiritual Practice.

Why I Went to the ER

April 26, 2017

This new moon in Taurus reminds us to listen to the echoes of wisdom that lies deep within all of us.

Why I landed in the ER

The last few weeks have been more than I can hardly handle. Has anyone else experienced this type of feeling inside of you lately? It is just too much?

Many of you know I launched a summit, which was thrilling for me to say the least. I loved speaking to the great people that joined me to dive into what Eating As A Spiritual Practice means. It was a huge success, and it is not the reason I had to go to the ER.

It was Easter Sunday. I was sitting on my lanai with my laptop trying to pay my bills on line. I was right in the middle of my Macy’s bill and I wanted to change the payment to come from a different bank. Right then and there, it took me over the edge. Now, this could be funny, but it was not. That task, or registering a new bank online was more than I could handle at that moment. My head started swimming and I became dizzy. I could hardly breath or keep my head up. Yikes, I thought. Am I having a heart attack? Of course not, I told myself. Well, then what? I called a friend who came immediately. With one look at me, she exclaimed, “Are you ok?”

With an emphatic no, I asked for her to call 911. Then I stopped her. I hated the idea of going to the hospital on this beautiful day. She got me some water and an ice pack and we decided to give me 30 minutes to see if I could revive myself.

I did a bit. But, I did not go back to my Macy’s bill. Instead I went outside and laid in the grass under a clear sky with the sun beaming down on me. I did not fully recover, but I did regain my composure.

Still feeling really crappy two day’s later I went to the ER and got every test under the sun. I am perfect, but my nerves are still whacked. This is what happens to us when we stretch too thin, take care of others, and do not act on our own behalf. OK, so what does that look like?

For the last week I have reached out to many friends and professionals to get a new perspective on how I am handling my relationships, obligations, commitments, and responsibilities. I had to dive deep to see how I had forgotten Susan and discover where I had left her. Here is a snippet of what I learned:

1. My pattern is to push myself aside to make everyone around me happy. If they are happy then I am happy. OK, so this is an erroneous belief that I had to come face to face with. They call it co-dependency. The hardest part of this was finding out how to act on my own behalf. What did I really need, and how could I fulfill it? What did I need to change? Who was involved? I took some action and had some conversations. You know what? I can’t even begin to express how hard it was for me to ask for what I needed when I might be causing someone else some discomfort – even if that discomfort was in integrity with what was right relationship. With one situation, which I knew I was causing someone else some discomfort, I felt like I was going to throw up. It was that hard for me because I felt so guilty. OMG, can you believe we go through this stuff our whole lives? I am sure I am not the only one who could use some strengthening in this area.

2. I needed to create space for replenishment. This does not mean to take time off work and go to a party with friends, or meet more social obligations. It means to put nourishing activities in my life that provide replenishment. You can’t really surrender to a healthy flow, if you keep jamming your flow up with activities. So, I am still learning how to replenish, or what works to replenish me. I love yoga but I can’t go to the mat or the kitchen for that matter, with an attitude that I am performing a duty that must be done to check of my duty list at night. We must be mindful of what is going on inside as we perform our daily activities. This leads me to the next step of what I learned I must incorporate into my life.

3. Listening. How am I going to get clear? What kind of action should I take? What replenishes me? To answer these questions I need to listen, deeply listen. One way is to journal. I know, I know, everyone has told me to journal for years, but I don’t always do it. So, now I am journaling a bunch of crap every am and pm. I am just letting all the junk go onto the paper. Then I tear them up and throw them away so now one will ever read them. I can’t imagine anyone would want to actually. Once the crap leaves there is room for wisdom to spring up, joy and happiness to be lived. The purpose of journaling is to move the energy. We all have so many emotions all day long and many of them get jammed up in our body. The result can be something like my ER visit, a stiff back, chronic fatigue, and many more. When we are calm, centered and empty then our nervous system can heal.

I am so grateful for the angels that came to my rescue, but honestly, it only came from me asking the right people. I don’t really ask for advice, I ask for a new perspective. This widens my view and gives me an opportunity to see more clearly. Then I ask myself as well, and I listen. We so need each other.

So, this has been my journey and I am grateful for it. Learning how to live is one of the most fulfilling things we can ever do. Getting quiet and creating a strong spiritual practice is so vital to our happiness and well being. I feel I have landed into a much more enlightened surrender and flow, and I am feeling much lighter. I give it all up to the divine and let life unfold. It feels so much softer.

By the way, I did not get my Macy’s bill paid on time. They called me early a few days later and we took care of it on the phone! See, it ways works out.

How about you? What helps you with acting on your own behalf? Do you feel stressed and that there is just too much.

offering 20-30 minute complimentary consultations. Write me at: Susan@ChefTeton.com.

Easy, Fast and Nourishing: Veggie Noodle Ramen Soup

April 26, 2017

So, easy and cooks within about 5 minutes. I make this type of soup all the time, something with the noodles and sometimes without. It is so quick and easy, with the exception of cutting the squash. Some stores (like Trader Joes) carry the squash all cleaned and ready to go.

I could eat this every day all day, and I love making variations of it.

Ingredients

Broth of choice: veggie, chicken, beef

Squash: butternut, kobacha, acorn or whatever you have on hand

Vegetable: shown here is spinach- use any that you would love

Noodles: any you love will do. I love the Ramen noodles that are made from rice and millet.

Directions

Depending on the noodles, you can cook all of this together in one pot. If the noodles need to be rinsed first, then you will want to boil them first and then strain them. If they do not need rinsing then you can cook everything together. I actually prefer heating them separately from the broth and veggies. You can cook them side by side as they take about the same amount of time.

In addition, some noodles take longer to cook than others. I love the Ramen noodles which cook in 4 minutes.

Peel and cut the squash into bite size pieces. It usually cooks quite quickly. If you are using vegetables that cook in the same amount of time, then all that is needed to to put your broth into a sauce pan, add the squash and vegetables and let it cook on a medium to low heat for a few minutes. Pour into a bowl and add the noodles, if they were cooked in a separate pan.

Season as you wish!

If you are an egg eater, you can drop an egg into the broth and veggies and let it cook slightly in the mixture. This makes it like egg flower soup!

The New Moon in Aries - Light A Fire Under Your Soul & Begin

March 27, 2017

New Moon in Aries launches a brand new cycle and begins the astrological year with the Sun moving into Aries. Yes! Aries is the fire starter within us that blows forth the flame that ignites the beginning of something that could be wild, elemental, essential and new. Yes!

In my last correspondence I spoke about using our creativity to free up our energy and use our life force for something we might love. This is the time to take advantage of this spark of creation as it is a gift we can all catalyze at this powerful time.

Take a moment, take more than a moment and give this some thought. The momentum has power if you launch the spark. What do you want to begin? What kind of fire do you want to ignite in you? Now is the time to blow forth that flame and begin something you have dreamed of – something wild.

Here are the 2 things I want to do. I am going to say it loud and clear right here. Now, my goals are really not so wild. Oh darn, I am going to have to think of another one to fit into the wild category. But, for now, my goals are essential to me.

1) Finish the BOOK. Thank you so very much to all of those who purchased the book. You definitely lit a fire under me. My crowd funding campaign is over, and thanks to many it was a success. Your support means so very much, and it is the fire I needed to inspire me on to completion.

2. I want to get strong. Although I practice yoga regularly, and I walk every morning on the beach with a little dip in the ocean to wake my ass up, I do not feel strong in my body like I used to. This is unacceptable to me. I don’t like feeling slightly frail. I know I don’t look like that to others, but I can feel how my strength wants to be enhanced. I need to light a fire under my butt and start weight training. Is it essential? Not sure. But, I know it is essential to my soul. So, here goes, joining the local gym. Maybe I can get something wild to wear in the gym. Yeah, I will create a new look.

Stay tuned for something a little more wild. Truth be known I really would like to do something wild. I miss being wild.

You? Do you miss wild? What do you want to ignite on this powerful new moon? Do tell.

Delicious, Flourless and Gluten Free, Quinoa Pancakes

March 18, 2017

These pancakes began their creative journey the night before I made them. I was working late and got really hungry. Too late to eat yet another meal, I settled for a half of a papaya before I went to bed, but that is when I started dreaming of pancakes. Pancakes are a little heavy for me in the morning unless I am in real need of a bigger more satisfying meal. So, as the dream continued my mind started to think about the ingredients I already had on hand. We had Quinoa for dinner and there was quite a lot left over, stored in jars in the fridge. So, I thought, how about a quinoa base with some almond meal and eggs? Then I remembered that I had whipped up some sesame milk that day. I think this will work, I thought to myself as I drifted off to sleep with hunger anticipating my morning treat.

Once in the kitchen the next morning I began to salivate with the idea of manifesting my dream. What you see below is what started coming out of the fridge and the pantry. It was a quick recipe since the Quinoa and sesame milk was already made. When my assistant arrived there was a hot pile of cakes for her to photograph and dive into. They made her day and I got big points! By the way, the cardamon and cinnamon really top these cakes off to something special.

So, here is another version of yummy flourless - gluten free pancakes. I think this is my favorite.

3 eggs or Vegan style: 3 tbsp of flax meal (Or Barlean's mix of Flax, Chia and Coconut)
½ cup almond flour
½ cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup sesame milk (almond, coconut, hemp or another milk will do)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp Sunflower Lethicin (optional)
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, blueberries, or a berry mixture.

As you like:

Salt (on top after being cooked - see below)
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Cooking oil (coconut) - Barlean's Culinary Oil is one of the best oils to cook with. It makes everything taste so good and just has the perfect consistency for frying pancakes, tortillas, or anything. It is great for baking too. Seriously, it worth using.

Directions:

Start with cracking 3 eggs into a bowl and whisk thoroughly. If you are making the cakes vegan style, soak the flax seeds (ground up a little) in 1/2 cup of water. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes until they gel together. Add water to give them the consistency of eggs.

Proceed adding all the rest of the ingredients blending each one as you go. Heat the pan and pour in about a tbsp of cooking oil. As mentioned above, coconut oil will do nicely, but Barlean's Culinary Oil is to live for. There is just something about it that works for cooking in high heats - it is meant for high heat and brings on a delicious substance and flavor.

Hot Berries: This is the cool part. After the cakes are all cooked, toss a cup of blueberries, cherries or other fruits or berries into the pan. If they are fresh, then will just need a quick swirl in the pan to warm them. Yet, if they are frozen they will make a huge sizzle sound and steam up a quickly. Doing this also makes the pan look like the picture below. But, don't worry, it actually cleans up easily. It is just the color from the berries that instantly coats the pan. Toss the berries, or cherries in this case, around a bit until they thaw - about 3 minutes. You can most likely turn the heat off the moment you toss them in. While they are warming (thawing), butter your cakes (or not), pour a small amount of Maple syrup on them (or not). Top with the warmed fruit. (put the pan in water immediately and let it soak-it will then be easy to clean).

Now, here is the best part: Once this whole extravaganza is complete sprinkle the entire plate with Celtic Sea Salt (grey fine ground). You will be heaven, I guarantee it!

Are You Sick & Tired of Doing What You don't Want?

March 13, 2017

Many years ago, when I just a young 35 year old, I had an experience that taught me a huge lesson. Here is my experience told in a story I wrote for my new book. What follows my short story is a reflection on how we might benefit from a new perspective, then change our attitude with a big splash of creativity. Enjoy!

Hands On Steering Wheel

It was Tuesday, another freezing, dreary rainy day in the northwest. My week was just getting started when I got a call from my partner in crime. My girlfriend Judy and I were building a huge custom home on spec. The lot was on the 9th fairway of the local prestigious golf course. We really thought we knew what we were doing when we had the idea, and when we so dramatically designed our dream home in hopes of making the big bucks. Judy was frantic because the call came in from our new foreman. He was asking a ton of urgent questions none of which either of us understood. She was all upset saying, “What will we do, I don’t know what to tell them?”

I peered out my window and saw the pounding rain. Dang, another bad hair day. It was time for me to get ready for work anyway, so I passed on breakfast and ran out to my VW bug to start the engine. The car was so cold that I had to place a brick on the accelerator so it could warm up while I finished getting ready. This was the only way to warm the car enough to tolerate the extreme damp cold. Within ten minutes I was dressed, out the door, and in my somewhat defrosted VW. I was not happy.

(Too bad I did not have a fancy Audi like the picture portrays)

My anguish was not about the house as much as it was about the job that awaited me after I visited the job site. The golf course was part of a country club that also had a gym workout facility of which I was a trainer and aerobic instructor. Now this will not sound very nice, but I just did not think I could tell one more overweight person what to eat, and how to exercise. Everyday it was the same place, same words, same exercises on the same equipment, over and over. I was so bored with it and everyone there.

Many things can cause unhappiness and I thought I had plenty of reasons. It was the early 80's, and it was my first Northwest winter after being born and raised in Southern California. It was always so cold, the kind of damp cold that seeped in my cells and remained there until I submerged myself in a hot bath. It was dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, and it was a long drive to town if I wanted to go out and socialize. My 11-year-old son and I were held captive in our apartment every evening. I missed my family, my old friends, and outdoor walks in the evening, the west coast sunsets, happy hour and a good tan. My hair always looked like shit and I was lonely too.

Building homes had always been a dream. I was thrilled when I moved there to actually fulfill this dream. I should be happy, right? When I arrived at the job site, the rain was still pounding. It amazed me how the people in NW just move on regardless of the weather. Here I am cussing, grunting and groaning while very wet, wondering why anybody in his or her right mind would live here, but here I was. My own self added to my disdain.

Judy had made a few phone calls prior to her arrival at the site, so she had answers for the crew. It was apparent that they delighted in our ignorance, giving them the opportunity to give us a hard time. We could feel their sneers and judgment and knew they were laughing behind our backs.

As I drove myself to the club, with my attitude in the dumps, I looked at my hands on the steering wheel and suddenly saw what they were doing. There they were, both gripped firmly around each side of the wheel. I was driving myself somewhere that I had decided to go. No one was driving me. No one had a gun to my head. It was all me. I had made the choice to go there, and at some point in time I was even excited about it.

In that very moment I made a decision. If I was going to make the choice to do something in my life, even daily little tasks, then I was going to love it or leave it. If I did not want to do it anymore, then I would move toward changing the circumstances that were within my power. Meanwhile, I would make the most of what I decided to do even while planning and executing a new path. Then and there I decided I would quit this job and find a new source of income. But, until then, I said to myself, “let’s have some fun today”.

This decision and insight inspired an entirely new attitude deep within that has lasted me a lifetime. I popped into the club with a smile on my face and lightness in my step. I was going to make this day the best day ever. With that I embraced each person who came my way. This new attitude inspired a reservoir of creativity in how I worked with them. Taking the focus off myself, I asked about their lives, showing genuine interest. I made jokes and found new ways to inspire a fun and satisfying workout for them. Our energies fed off each other as we danced through our time together. Like musicians who are in a grove, we harmonized living our moments with fresh spontaneity. Wow, could it be this simple? Could I just decide to have the best day ever and have it? Well, yes. I discovered a new power that day and it was all because I decided to.

That afternoon I called Judy and we brainstormed how we might court the crew to become team players, players aligned with our vision, players that helped us learn rather than delighting in challenging our ignorance. As we dropped our agenda to act like we knew it all, we schemed, giggled and laughed and came up with a plan.

The next day we showed up on the job at quitting time, dressed as cute as possible without being too sexy. With an ice-cold bottle of Champagne, crystal glasses, a case of beer, and 3 joints rolled with the best of the NW weed, we said, “We want to celebrate with you. We have never built a house and this is our dream. You guys are the experts and we need you. We really don’t know what we are doing, but we want to learn. Will you help us? To celebrate our first week of ground breaking we brought some party favors.”

With that we unveiled our stash. A couple guys grabbed a beer instantly while another said, “Hell, I quit drinking a year ago, but would love a doobie”. We cracked the champagne, poured, puffed and toasted. Sitting around in funky chairs, legs stuck in the mud we got to know each other. Gratefully the rain had subsided and our newfound friends joined in our intentions. This was the beginning of the one of the most fun episodes in my life. And the good news? I bought a cute hat. My bad hair days were over.

************************************************************************

A New Day - Feeling Trapped

Within my constant study of consciousness and personal development I came across some readings that landed in me like truth. It has to do with feeling trapped, which I know many people are feeling today.

When people are feeling trapped, it brings on a very low frequency in the human life force deep within the body. Part of this is due to the fact that our creativity shuts down and we do not breathe deeply. We might feel powerless. When we don't breathe fully, we deplete our energy and reduce our capacities. One of the sure signs of this is fatigue. When we feel tired and loose our dynamism we have usually allowed ourselves to feel trapped. This is not a time in our evolution to diminish our life force. This is a time to be strong.

This struck home to me because I was feeling trapped. But, you see, I did not know I felt trapped. I was just tired all the time, and have been fighting a fatigue problem. I am that person that goes like crazy and then crashes - the pitta body type out of balance. When my Mom used to call me, and I would tell her I was tired, she would respond by saying, "Well, I guess so. I never saw anybody go like you. You never stop." When I do get good energy, I get so excited that I spend it like crazy.

Years ago while standing - staring at an open kitchen cabinet full of supplements, wondering which one to take, I heard this voice. It said, "You will not solve this problem by what you put in your mouth." Dang. A pill would be so much easier.

So, when I learned of the fatigue masquerading as the feeling of being trapped. I perked up and realized that I had been feeling trapped, like I did years ago in Washington. This realization called for nothing short of re-evaluating my situation and revitalizing my creativity within it. Why? Because the problem is not solved by changing the outside around us, even though there are definitely things that might need changing.

The solution could only be resolved by changing my attitude and mustering up more creativity within the world I have already chosen, on some level, to live in. I share this with you now because this is a time for us to be on our game. We must do what we can to keep ourselves strong so that we can keep our families strong, and our communities thriving. With humanity facing its greatest crisis ever - namely the destruction of our own environment, we must dig deep, and use our creativity for collective and practical solutions.

Fatigue * Weight Loss * Immune Function

I believe this state of feeling trapped and causing fatigue has a has a great deal to do with immune response and weight loss as well. Because when we operate at a low frequency our body does not metabolize our food as well. This means that we don't get the nutrients our food provides, and we don't burn it off as well either. We may feel hungry even when fed, but it is our spirit that is hungry, most likely for more creativity. Creativity awakens our life force. Like in my story, when I got creative within my day, my life force turned on, and I had a great day. The power is within. We know this, but it is not always that easy to recognize. That being said, it is extremely easy to do if we put our mind and actions to it.

I share this in hopes of you freeing yourself from feeling trapped, if you so happen to feel that way. Feeling trapped can be hidden in so many ways, even if we just feel trapped inside a body that does not look and/or feel like we want it to. But, whoever you are, and whatever you are doing, there is enormous creativity in you just waiting to be expressed. This creativity will re-inspire and free up your life force for ????????, perhaps all kinds of magic.

Do you feel trapped? If so, what do you do about it? Let's talk about it. Leave your comments below.

Aloha blessings, Susan Teton

Please contact me for a no-obligation 15-30 minute complimentary health, wellness, and nutrition coaching session by phone, by Skype or in person (on Maui). Susan@ChefTeton.com.

The Best Way To Eat Carrots

February 13, 2017

This may just seem so simple and trivial for a post, but, let me tell you that making carrots this way is a huge benefit, particularly for kids.

When the carrots are grated on the very small (slanted) element of the grater, the carrot pieces fall into nice little pile that kind of sticks together. Put a pile on the side of a bowl of soup, on salads, top on avocado toast, in a wrap, or just on the side of a plate as a garnish.

Grating it in this way makes the carrot juicy. This is the key. It will juice up a sandwich or wrap with sweet flavor. The reason it works so well with kids, is that the carrots are juicy, which means sweeter. It is also easier for them to chew.

In a salad, you might think that the little pieces will spread around, but they don't. They seem to stick together in a clump. If you use a delicious dressing like the The Golden Elixir, or the Maple Lemon Miso, you will delight in the way that you will get a bite of juicy carrot with the dressing infused in. Try it!

If you use them on a sandwich, wrap or toast, add a little salt, perhaps some Tamari, olive oil, or any salad dressing you want to top them with for another flavorful dimension. You can also grate a beet in the same way.

If you want more handy hints of how to eat some foods raw, get my Raw Food Basics course. This course it great for learning how to make sauces and dressing, and use nuts and seeds in the most healthy way. Some have called it the best Raw Food Course available.

Visit my Indigogo Campaign if you would love to support my upcoming book, Eating As A Spiritual Practice. Support offers perks for courses, private coaching, and so much more. Go HERE for more info.

Cauliflower Almond Meal

February 13, 2017

yum yum yum yum. This recipe is so easy and can actually be made with any vegetable (broccoli, squash, yams, green beans, chard). The sauce can be made on its own, then top on your veggie of choice.

Here is how I do it with cauliflower.

Almond Meal Sauce (this is a very basic recipe that could be more diverse with spices)

1/2 cup Barlean's Coconut Oil or butter or ghee

4-5 cloves of garlic (chopped)

1/2 cup Almond meal

water to blend

salt & pepper (a little cayenne if you like)

Warm a sauce pan, and put in the coconut oil/butter until it is warm wan bubbly. Saute the garlic gloves until almost golden. Add in the almond meal. This will make the mixture get very dry. At this time, add in the water to make a paste. Turn down the heat and cook the mixture for a few minutes. You may need to add more water until you get the consistency you want. A thick sauce is what I like.

Prepare the Cauliflower by washing it, and it breaking apart. The smaller the pieces the faster it will cook. Place the cauliflower pieces in a baking dish. Top the almond meal sauce around the top, and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is soft. Don't over cook it and let it get mushy. I like to broil it for a couple seconds just before serving so that the top gets nice and tan and crispy. It also tastes better when it is crispy!

Serving suggestions: On a bed of salad greens, rice noodles, or other steamed veggies.

Enjoy. Remember to use Barlean's Organic Coconut oil. It is the best! Ghee is quite scrumptious too.

Sunflower Cocoa Ashwagandha Smoothie with Barlean's Chocolate Silk

February 6, 2017

This morning our sunflower milk, made with fresh sunflower seeds soaking over night, was turned into a rich powerhouse of a smoothie with Barlean's Chocolate Silk Greens. Whoa! Many of you know that I am a huge fan of making your own seed milks. They are so simple and provide you with so many nutrients when made fresh. Here is how we brought this smoothie together. Make your own version if you like!

Ingredients

1/2 cup sunflower seeds soaked and rinsed.

1 quart of filtered water

1 scoop of Barleans's Greens (Chocolate Silk flavor). This is Barlean's antioxidant blend of cocoa, fruits and vegetables, probiotics and enzymes to aid in digestion. Can you belief all this in one scoop of delicious flavor. No wonder they call it slik!

2 tbsp of cacao powder

1/2 tsp of Ashwagandha powder

1 tsp Maca

1 tbsp of coconut cream/butter (you could use coconut oil as well)

The above ingredients made a great foundation. From here we added:

1/3 cup of organic cold pressed coffee concentrate (if you don't have concentrate, which I believe is rather scarce now) and you really want caffeine, just cut down on the water and add some strong coffee.

2 dates

sprinkle of cayenne

Blend all of the ingredients. Add ice if you want it thicker and cold.

Basically, the Barlean's Greens will give you the base of flavor and sweetness. We merely wanted to get more decadent, and wished to add the Ashwagandha powder and Maca. Along with the cacao powder, Ashwagandha powder and coffee concentrate, which added extra bitterness, we were able to get away with adding the dates. If you are sugar sensitive you may want to use more stevia or perhaps it will be sweet enough.

Enjoy!!

Raw BuckWheat Coconut Cereal (Raw, Vegan, Paleo legal)

January 29, 2017

I have been making this cereal concoction for years. As a matter of fact, those of you who have my DVD's or watched my cooking shows may remember this. Basically I use this wonderful coconut cream butter. There are a few companies that make it and you can use it for so many recipes, or just enjoy a spoonful. Decadent is the word to describe it.

For my basic fruit salad or raw buckwheat cereal I use the coconut butter, puree or cream (it has several names, but it is basically dried coconut meat blended into a butter like peanut butter). I also use it for my cocoa truffles, pizza dough crackers, and sometimes, I just have a spoon full for dessert or for a quick snack. (Check out how to work with buckwheat for sweet and savory salads, etc. HERE)

In this particular picture we made it instantly on the road on our trip to Hana during our retreat. I packed the previously made coconut milk from the coconut butter, the dehydrated buckwheat groats (with maple syrup and salt), a banana and chopped walnuts. From the cooler I assembled the ingredients on a cutting board within about 5 minutes. Since the milk was made and all the other ingredients in small containers, all I had to do was assemble them together in our cups. We enjoyed this sweet crunchy mid morning breakfast, with a good cup of coffee. Off we went fueled and fulfilled and ready for an adventure.

Raw Buckwheat Cereal

1 + tablespoon of Raw Coconut Butter (make as much milk as you like experimenting with flavor and consistency)

1/3 cup water (more or less depending on consistency and desired taste)

3 tbsp of soaked or roasted buckwheat or other dried cereal type granola

fruit of choice (banana, berries, etc.)

nuts & dried fruits (walnuts, mac nuts, raisins, dates)

Mix all together and enjoy.

* Storing: Do not refrigerate the coconut butter until after opening. Once you open it, you can still leave it out at room temperature, but you MUST NOT contaminate it with any food particles. If you do decide to refrigerate it, it will become hard and much harder to work with. If you want to store it in the fridge then you will need soften it by heating it in a pan of hot water before using it. I keep mine in the pantry if I know I am going to go through it rather quickly. I am also very careful to always use a clean spoon when removing some and never double dip!

* Making Raw Buckwheat: Soak at least a couple of cups of raw buckwheat groats for several hours. Rinse and drain well. Sweeten with a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup and salt to taste. Place on sheet in the dehydrator, or on a cookie sheet in the oven at the very lowest temperature. Cook or dehydrate until dry. When dry and crunchy, store them in a glass jar and keep in the pantry. They are so yummy when soaked with maple syrup and salt, and then used to sprinkle on just about everything!

Use your imagination with buckwheat. Make a buckwheat milk, a savory salad, or raw food pizza dough.

Learning how to work the basics of raw food is vital to a great diet, whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or Paleo dieter. Find out more about my raw food course "Raw Basics & Entrees". What is even better is to discover how to blend raw and cooked food styles together for a delicious, simple, nutritionally rich and fun way of the life. FIND OUT MORE HERE

Finding A Deeper Truth - The Work of Byron Katie

January 8, 2017

An excerpt from my book:

Eating As A Spiritual Practice

My new book, "Eating As A Spiritual Practice" contains a few stories that may not be related to food in the way that you might think. Since beliefs have a great deal to do with all of our actions and thus our health, I decided to post this story from my book to acquaint you with The Work Of Byron Katie. My book, "Eating" is a memoir - cook book because I tell the story of how I became the foodie I am, and how I have witnessed our individual and collective food choices affecting our communities, policies, health crisis, and environmental destruction.

Below is a story my first experience doing The Work. It is about the beliefs I had about my son, who had been using drugs since he was 13. Katie helped me find some peace in his long journey with addiction, which was my long journey as well.

Though my journey with circumstances and beliefs that drove the fear, I see now that there might be wisdom in lightening up while in the face of struggling. We can still stay prudent and act in alignment with our highest values, but we can do it with a light heart if at all possible. So many people have guilt around every decision they make. This cannot be healthy. We cannot afford to go around with suffering thoughts and feelings. We can only do what we can do, focus on ourselves, our families and our communities. I send blessings to everyone that is suffering in the world, either through the communities they live in, have a disease, or feel tremendous doom over our environmental and political situation. The Serenity Prayer comes to mind when I drift off to worry, doubt and fear: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".

Please comment below if you have done The Work or how you see your beliefs are affecting your life and the goals you want to achieve.

Aloha and Happy New Year! Susan Teton

Aspen & The Work of Byron Katie, an excerpt from "Eating As A Spiritual Practice".

One weekend a group of friends and I drove to Aspen to see Byron Katie, the soon to be best selling author of “Loving What Is” and other titles that followed. My friends were familiar with “The Work”, the process Katie calls her method of inquiring into beliefs and judgments that cause us human mortals suffering. On our first morning after arriving in Aspen late the night before everyone got busy writing their worksheets on the areas that found that caused them suffering so they could do “The Work” with Katie.

What on Earth is The Work, you ask? Here is a little of how it goes. People boldly write down on the “Worksheet” what is bothering them about a person or situation in their life. In other words, their story of what is causing them pain and suffering. Then a brave soul will join Katie on the stage, worksheet in hand. Like a guru she sits up there with a lovely table, adorned with flowers, and a glass of water. Next to her is an empty chair fluffed and ready for the next willing participant. On stage, in front of everyone, Katie facilitates one person at a time through her process. They read their thoughts and judgments from their worksheets and she asks her 4 famous questions and then offers the turn around. The 4 questions are: 1. Is it True? 2. Can you absolutely know that it is true? 3. How do you react when you think the thought? 4. Who would you be without the thought? And, then finally she asks you to turn the thought around, giving the thought or concept another way to live inside of you.

A little surprised at the serious attention my friends gave to their worksheets, I realized that I was there more for entertainment and a weekend in Aspen with cool people. I had no intention of doing “The Work” with Katie. With no one to play with during our first morning together before going to the workshop, I found myself grabbing a worksheet. I pulled up a chair and began to write out my story of Jason. He was my biggest claim to suffering, so I casually wrote out my gut feelings knowing this piece of paper would only be seen by me and me alone.

I was drawn to Katie’s work because it was riveting to say the least. People had the most incredible stories. I marveled at their courage to get up in front of an audience and expose themselves as they did. It was better than the Jerry Springer show. Katie was a master of helping people to see how ridiculously untrue most of their thoughts were, and how they were actually mirroring behavior with the projections and judgments they put on others. Her magic touch was in how loving and compassionate she was, her quick sense of humor, and how vividly she listened.

I mean, talk about getting naked. People took their entire skin off. They walked on the stage in despair knowing they were right and had valid reasons for their pain and judgments. They walked off the stage free from suffering, smiling, and often even laughing. Watching them and the process was miraculous. I admired their courage particularly because it was something I would never do. Too shy, I would not expose myself like that in front of so many people. But, I did not yet even know this about myself.

After breakfast we took a ride into town and gathered in the auditorium. Poised elegantly in her chair, Katie spoke, “OK, who wants to do The work?” We watched and listened attentively as a couple of people went through the process with her. Witnessing her clever insight and humor while helping each person see how their own story was at the root of their pain, was entertaining to say the least. I was blown away while my rooted perspective on life began to loosen it’s grip.

After a short intermission visiting with friends out on the front lawn of the auditorium we came in for another round. All seated quietly, Katie on stage and ready. She spoke, “So, who wants to do The Work? As she scoped out the audience, no brave souls volunteering yet, her head turned my way. Without awareness or forethought my arm began lifting into the air. In the same moment with swift precision, Katie caught my eye, Her arm reached out with a pointed finger straight at me. She claimed her next victim while saying “You”. Trust me, I had nothing to do with it. Someone or something raised my hand, within a flash, as if orchestrated by a swift angel.

My body began walking to the stage. “Oh my God, how did this happen. Who did this. What is happening?" My emotions overtook me as I muttered to myself. Frightened, with a dry mouth, emerging moist arm pits, and a heart beating rapidly, I took a seat. “Let’s hear it she said”. With worksheet in hand my heart pounded out the first words: “I am saddened, upset and angry at my son because he is ruining his life”. Here came question #1: “Is it true”? She said, like a puppet who always says the same thing. “Yes”, I exclaimed. “He does drugs, gets thrown in jail, puts other people in harms way, steals and hurts himself”. There. Was I convincing? I thought so.

Not buying my story, she posed the second question, “Can you absolutely know that it is true, that your son is ruining his life”. With a beat, I closed my eyes, went deeply inside and looked far and wide. Could I know? As I searched my own consciousness to see if it was true, I heard more of Katie’s words “Perhaps this is his path, his journey to take and he must do it his way”. She repeated the question, “Can you absolutely know that it is true, that your son is ruining his life”?

I searched some more and could not find my thought to be true. “No”, I said, “I can’t”. For the very first time a sliver of illuminating light poked through my archaic belief system. Something loosened.

Satisfied with my answer and ready to move on, Katie asked question number three, “How do you react when you think the thought he is ruining his life”. Again, I looked inside and watched my behavior. It looked like a movie of a stressed out mom with fixed attention on her son, calling and following him, helping him when it wasn’t appropriate, pleading with him to change, and full of worry constantly. Ugh! I quietly, slowly, and humbly told Katie what I saw.

Satisfied once again that her process was working beautifully, Katie posed question number four, “Who would you be without the thought, that your son is ruining his life”? Familiar now with the territory of my own consciousness, I dove deep inside and there was nothing but freedom. Ahhhh, my body melted with the thought. There went the strain, the fixed attention freed. I began to envision myself going through life with joy and carefree laughter birthing a new and creative lifestyle fulfilling “my” dreams. I could feel it more than I could describe it.

Without any words from me, Katie could see that I had landed in a new story. She went for the turn around. With an instructive tone, she said, “Turn the thought around”. Answering her questionably I said “My son is not ruining his life?” She looked at me and stated, “Could be just as true”.

My world had just been blasted open. I began to see that my way was not the only way or the “right” way. This does not mean I let go yet, but at least I knew where to look. My son was living his life his way, and although I could convince anyone, including myself, that I was “right”, in my fear, doubt and worry, the only thing I really knew to be true was that he was living as he was living, period, end of story. If I argued with reality it would only cause me to suffer.

Floating in a sea of “ah has”, I heard Katie prod further, “There is another turn around”. Gazing at her in question, she helped me by saying, “I”. Catching her drift I completed her thought, “I am ruining my life”. She added, “By thinking he is ruining his”.

There it was! My thinking, my judgments, my fear, my attachment was ruining my life.

If that were not enough, then came her last question, one that expresses the overall theme of “The Work of Byron Katie”. “Who would you be without your story?” I looked deep into her blazing blue eyes with the depth of mine, meeting her in a new space of total acceptance, I said with absolute resolve, “I don’t know, but I am going to find out”.

I can’t know the real truth in this situation because it was not mine to argue with. I learned from Katie that there are three kinds of business: my business, your business, and God’s business.

I learned that I must let go of the belief that my son was ruining his life because I was ruining my own life by constantly obsessing about his! Katie helped me see the bigger picture, helped me let go and let him live his own life. It was with this work that I began to see the wisdom of working on ourselves, because when we change, everything changes, and all we can change is ourselves. We live in a matrix, and are finding out that our thoughts and energy effect others without us even saying anything, or passive aggressively acting out. It was hard to let go, but it was the beginning of turning my focus toward myself, while letting him be him.

Are you suffering from others actions? Are you suffering from your own inner demons? Can you find joy and satisfaction in your thoughts and actions? If not, is there something you need to change in your thinking or your choices? My New Years resolution is to lighten up and let go of every negative thought I can find. My choices and decisions are going to come from a new place. This is the intention I am promising myself this for the coming year.

You?

PS: I went on to eventually do several of Katie's magnificent schools, and worked with her for over a year. As a matter of fact, it was with her schools that I learned to be a Chef! I am now certified in "The Work" and welcome a call if anyone could benefit from a session. Aloha

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Pumpkin Seeds Roasted in Coconut Oil (A New Years Treat)

December 29, 2016

These roasted pumpkin seeds are the best for every occasion. Put them out on the counter for an appetizer, or sprinkle on top of salads, soups, steamed veggies. Seriously, they are so great on EVERYTHING. Everyone loves them and I like to give them as a gift as well.

Below is the video that shows how to make them. If you are making enough to store them for another occasion, it is best to put them into a jar as soon as they cool. This way they stay fresh. Another hint is to salt them just before taking them out of the pan. This way the salt does not infuse, but sticks to the seeds. If you put the salt on when they are still really hot then the salt sticks to the slight amount of oil on the seeds. I only use Celtic Sea Salt (light grey fine ground), but this would work with any salt. Celtic Sea Salt is by far much tastier than Himalayen Salt. Most everyone knows this by now because I am always saying it! I try other salts, but Celtic Light Grey reigns supreme.

2 Comments

Vegan Gluten Free Banana Bread - Radically Good!

December 14, 2016

Are you ready for the bread of a lifetime? This vegan banana with millet is what makes this moist bread have a nice crunch to it. Make this for your friends for the holiday. Or, just for you. Hide it somewhere you can find it for a late night snack, or first thing in the morning. Such a yummy!

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cup)

3/4 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp chia seeds soaked in 2 1/2 cups water for about 20 minutes (use flax as well)

3 tbsp melted coconut oil

1/2 cup of brown sugar

3 1/2 tsp double acting baking powder

3/4 tsp Celtic Sea Salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup sesame milk (blend 1 heaping tbsp of hulled sesame seeds with 3/4 cup water)

1 1/4 cup almond meal

1 1/4 cup gluten free flour or gluten free pancake mix (organic, of course)

1 1/4 cup millet (un-cooked)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line pan with a little coconut oil, the a sprinkle of flour of choice.

Mash bananas and combine all ingredients together, and blend thoroughly. Bake for one hour and 12 minutes, depending on your oven. Cool slightly before serving.

When ever I make this, I can hardly stand waiting till it cools. I go for it as long it is not too hot to hold. Notice it may be very moist at first, but it firms up after it cools. Yum, Yum, Yum

Happy Holidays! Chef Teton

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Happy Holidays From Chef Teton - A Gift For You

December 12, 2016

Here is my Holiday Gift Course just for you. First there is a fun video, and then the LINK for the

Holiday Gift Course is HERE

Thank you for being in my life! I send blessings for a wonderful holiday season.

The Holiday Gift Course contains some of my favorite recipes:

Something Sweet: Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes, Spelt Cookies, and Cacao Truffles.

Seed Powders: One of the best ways to create an instant sauce for Swiss Chard and Yams.

Sauces & Dressings: The favorites: Golden Elixir, Carrot Tahini, and Savory Sauce (a tofu based creamy sauce)

Get it HERE - no obligation - my GIFT to you for all of 2017!

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Cleanse, Fortify & Nourish-A Light Breakfast

December 9, 2016

I love to start my day with a lemon, olive oil smoothie. Juice the entire lemon, add that to about 12 oz of water, a tbsp of olive oil and give it a little swirl in your blender or Vita Mix. I like to add a pinch of Celtic Sea Salt as well.

This mixture is a powerful liver cleanser and fortifier. It is actually pretty filling. Best to let mosey on down through your body before you eat. About 30 minutes is good. Then enjoy your morning tea or coffee, and/or your breakfast. Mine is always light because I am one of those people that just cannot eat first thing. Do what is right for you!

Papaya (or local fruit), cultured coconut meat (or any seed cheese), chopped walnuts (or macs, pecans or cashews), and Celtic Sea Salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime-juice is divine. Remember to soak your walnuts, overnight is best is possible. Enjoy!

So Simple Holiday Cacao Truffles

December 9, 2016

These truffles are creamy and more delicious than any other I have tried. Yes, true story. Everyone “LOVES” them. The best part is that they are oh so simple to make. These make a great gift for your friends, and you too! Enjoy.

Main Ingredients:

1/2 cup Coconut Cream (sundried coconut meat ground into a butter-Artisana makes one as does Wilderness Family Naturals - online).

3/4 cup water (warmed)

1 to 2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup maple syrup

3 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp raw sugar or honey (more to taste)

1/2 tsp salt (more or less to taste)

Optional: 1/2 cup cacao nibs - 1/2 cup shredded coconut - or any other nuts or seeds you would like to add. Seen in the picture above, Golden Yukon Berries (sour type raisins) are added. Cashews are great to garnish with as well.

You can also use cinnamon, cayenne, chili powder and other seasoning to make your own truffles.

Directions:

Begin by blending the coconut cream and coconut oil in warm water. Once blended, add maple syrup, sugar and salt or seasonings. When creamy, add cacao powder through a sifter to alleviate lumps. Blend in a little at a time. Mixture will thicken to a point where it is difficult to stir. If too dry, add a bit of water. Remember they will firm up when refrigerated. They will also thicken a bit when the cacao nibs, coconut and/or other nuts are added.

Roll into balls and place nuts or Golden Yukon Berry on top with slight pressure. Chill. Best to serve at room temperature.

These travel well, but remember to package in a container where they can soften and still hold their shape.

Yum!

Because coconut oil melts quickly, it is best to store these yummy truffles the fridge or freezer. Pull out about 15 minutes before eating. They are best at room temperature.