Friday nature picture!!!

This one is really special it is the sunset over Lake Zurich. Remember to go into nature this coming
week. Take a long deep breath and feel the relaxation.

                                                                     Birch Life

Ground Cherries (Physalis) Why they are so good and what are they?

I first saw ground cherries on a torte, at a cafe in Salzburg Austria.
They where presented on top of a chocolate torte, the paper like wrapper they are
en robbed in was pulled back and a bright orange round berry was exposed.
The person I was with, had the torte and the berry, and they said it was sooooo
amazing.
That has been a few years ago, but one day they popped up in my local market.
So I had to buy them. I was so curious about the flavor, that I went home to try them immediately.
Here is a picture, so you can see what they look like as a tell you about them!!

They look like a Chinese lanterns, they have a paper like wrapper over them, so you peel back the wrapper
and there is a small round berry. They are a size of a cherry and are bright orange even in the middle.
I put a blueberry next to them so you can see the size.

When you take off the wrapper they have a oily feel to them. Even when you wash them they maintain that oil. Doing research on them I found out that they are very high in vitamin C and vitamin A. Ground cherries

are in the night shade family. People have also used them for medicinal medicine all over the world. They mostly grow in subtropical areas, a large amount come out of Columbia for export. Now the taste, you are wondering, they have a tomato texture and a cherry flavor with a burst of grapefruit. They have tiny little seeds in them. You just pop into your mouth and enjoy. They also  have a lot of pectin which is good for jam making, but they don't last very long here to make jam;)

You can also buy them dried. I have not tried them dried but they say they have a more intense flavor!

So the next time you see them at the store buy some and enjoy the experience. 

 Birch Life

  

Spaghetti Asparagus with Avocado dressed with a Sweet Date Sauce

Every one has liked the asparagus recipe that I have posted, so I have a very special one
to share with you all.
This one is decadent, and it is a very WOW presentation, but it is our secret it was so easy;)
I can't stop eating this one, the combination is creamy and sweet with the earthy
flavor of the asparagus YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!


Spaghetti Asparagus with Avocado dressed with Sweet Date Sauce

Serves 2

6 asparagus stalks
1 avocado
4 dates
1 Tablespoon butter (vegan)
sea salt
squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Wash asparagus then cut it in half the long way, then cut it in half again the long way,
so you have 4 long strips from 1 stalk of asparagus.
In a small stock pot boil water like you are making spaghetti, add a good pinch of sea salt.
Add asparagus strips to boiling water and blanch for 3 minutes.
Then drain, and put on paper towel to absorb excess water.
Wash avocado, and cut open, scoop out the flesh.
Add pinch of sea salt, and squeeze lemon juice over,
mash with fork until creamy.
In a small saute pan melt butter, cut dates into small pieces, add to pan
stir for a few minutes until caramel color.
Cooks quickly so watch it closely.
Place asparagus spaghetti on a plate and add half the avocado creme to the top,
then spoon half the date sauce on top and around the plate.

                                                       Birch Life

 

Friday's Picture from nature to make us smile!!!!

Every Friday I will post a picture, something interesting from the week I find in nature.

I believe nature has a way of relaxing us.
Just sitting outside, walking in the forest or even on the beach.
Calms us!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
So enjoy a little bit of nature.
Take a long deep breath:) ah ah ah
                                                              Birch Life


                                       The picture is violets growing next to a fence, in a crack of the road
                                        no one planted them they just showed up!!!!!
                                        They are so cheerful when you look at them.

                                       

No 1 product for muscle pain!!!

I love this product, it is the only one I can use for muscle pain.
I put it on and have immediate feel it is working, for me the pain is cooled then it starts to relax:)
Like it is getting deep into it. It last's a long time.
It has a peppermint, eucalyptus, wintergreen smell.
They have several different ingredients, and they work sooooooo well.
You only need a few drops:)
I have used it for several years and I turn to it when I have a muscle pain.
You can also use it in a bath, pour a few drops in running bath water.
For me it is a cooling bath for heated muscles.
Can use it as a inhalation, deep breathe in and relax your shoulders, it works like a charm
in a stressful situation.
I have tried all kinds of muscle products, and they all go on good but stop working
a few minutes later.
I have tried a popular one, arnica gel, but it does not get deep into muscles like
this one does. I use arnica gel for other things, I will write a post about that in
the coming future!
You are wondering WHAT is the product?
Olbas oil it is a wonder product for me!!!
You can tell I love it by the picture, how much I use the bottle:)
Here is a link to read more about the product!
olbas.com
                                                             Birch Life

 
 

Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce

This recipe is so yummmmmmy, when I make it the comments I get are:
" I could eat the whole bowl, the asparagus is so flavorful"
" The crisp lettuce gives it a whole new level of flavor"
This is a must try, and very simple to make.
So try it and let me know how you like it:)


Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad Over Refreshing Crisp Romaine Lettuce
serves 2 large portions or 4 small portions

8 stalks of asparagus
1/4 lb (250 gram)  of uncooked pasta ( I used a casarecce)
1/2 cup reserves cooking water from pasta
2 good Tablespoons of mayonnaise ( I used vegan)
2 Tablespoons of butter (vegan)
1 head of Romaine lettuce
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Cook pasta as directed on the package, but remember to reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water
before you strain. Then add 1 tablespoon of butter to strained pasta.
Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium heat skillet, add asparagus and pinch of sea salt
cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender.
Mix reserved cooking water and mayonnaise with 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt until well combined.
Then add pasta and asparagus and mix until coated.
Taste for seasoning add more if desired!!!!
Wash and shred with hands the romaine lettuce, put on individual plates season with a pinch
of sea salt before adding the asparagus mixture on top:)
               
                                                                    Birch Life

 

Dr Organic Rose Otto skin lotion, most divine sweet smelling velvety lotion review:)

I love the smell of rose, but there is a lot of fake smelling rose products out there.

So the dilemma is do I even buy rose products at all.

My first thought is the ingredients, they have to be natural, and the scent has to be

100% natural. 

I have tried many 100% natural rose scented lotions, they are either so light 

or the scent disappears within minutes of putting it on.

I don't want to smell of a rose bush, but I would like it to stay a while,

maybe linger on my clothes, would be nice. So I saw this product at a natural health store.

Dr. Organic Rose Otto skin lotion.

I opened the tester, and to my delight, the sweet warm smell of rose came out of the tube.

I was hooked I am going to buy it, my first thought was YES, then NO.

Then reading the ingredients I thought ok I will try it.

I usually am a coconut oil user after my shower, for moisturizer.

I was kind of excited for my first use, I had it waiting by the shower for immediate

use after.

WOW, I love this product, it glided on my skin like butter, it was not to thick or to thin 

it has a perfect absorption into the skin. The smell was soooo divine.

The smell is truly perfect for us rose scent lovers. The scent is a true rose smell.

When you are smelling a rose in the garden,  it is so sweet and velvety you can't 

stop smelling it:) Even lingered on my clothes:)

I used it everyday and the tube lasted a little over a month, which is perfect.

Sorry, I even cut the tube when I was done, I had to get every last drop!!!

                                                             Birch Life

   

 

Cooling Cucumber Pear Salsa

For me cucumbers are cooling, even when they are at room temperature.
When it is hooottt outside I feel they hydrate me with all their liquid:)
 Pears are a very different ingredient for salsa, but they sure
work well. They have a sweet and soft texture that is very welcoming
to the crisp crunch of cucumbers. I show you the salsa with rice cakes
and corn crackers, but it is sooooooo good with tortilla chips.
The salty and sweet combo is delicious:)


Cooling Cucumber Pear Salsa
serves 4 people

1 English  cucumber ( I took the seeds out of mine)
1 medium ripe pear
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon of lime juice
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Finally chop the cucumber( I removed my seeds), pear, and parsley and add to a bowl.
Pour fresh juices over the cucumber pear mixture and stir in salt.
Let stand in the refrigerator for 20 minutes covered.
I would double or triple the recipe because it is soooo good,
this won't last long at a party!!!!
                             
                                                              Birch Life

 

Semper gluten free cookies, vanilla biscuits and chocolate chip cookies, vegan? review

When I found these cookies I was not sure about another gluten free cookie.
I have had so many, they are either crumbly, no taste, or hard!:(
So I bought them reluctantly. My first purchase was the vanilla biscuits!
 

I thought vanilla is safe to try:)
I was very surprised at the smell when I opened them, a wonderful vanilla aroma.
The biscuit was firm, no crumble and had a satisfying vanilla taste.
I am so delighted with these biscuits, because they are not so sweet and they have a great texture.
I could have eaten the whole box!!!!!
I could see using them as a pie crust for a yogurt pie of a fruit and cream filling,
wonderful also as a layer in a trifle:)

You get about 12, so don't eat them all at once;)
Yes, about the vegan part the box states, "May contain traces of milk."
So it all depends how strict you are as a vegan?
The end of the post I will put a link to their website.


The next one I tried was the chocolate chip cookies!

They had the same great texture as a the vanilla biscuit, but these had little chocolate chips in the cookie.
The flavor was light chocolate without the chips inside they would be to light for me.
I like a chocolate cookie that is chocolaty, the chips saved it for me:)
I would definitely recommend them!
They also travel well outside the original packaging, I put a few in plastic wrap in my pocket when I
went on a walk No crumbling :) that can be hard to find in a gluten free cookie!

You also get about 12 cookies!
They state the same thing as the vanilla biscuit for trace amount of milk!
So get your delicious cookies!!!!!!!
semper.com
Please like me on facebook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

                                                   Birch life


  

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup vegan

This soup is one of my favorites:) I have always like cream of mushroom soup, but eating vegan

getting a true creamy flavor is hard,but not now! This soup ticks all the boxes. The soup has texture,

 thick flavor, slight crunch,and is creamy almost velvety. Asparagus gives it that slight crunch, you cook it only

until there is a slight crunch. Enjoy the recipe which is simple put so tasty  :)

Chunky creamy asparagus mushroom soup

serves 2 or 1 hungry person:)

16 stalks asparagus

6 brown button mushrooms

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup milk (I used oatly)

2 Tablespoons potato starch

2 Tablespoons butter + 2 teaspoons butter

1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

 1/4 teaspoons sea salt

Wash and cut asparagus into 11/2 inch pieces, wash and cut mushrooms length wise into chunky pieces set

mushrooms aside.

 Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a deep sided skillet

when melted add asparagus, fresh lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoons sea salt saute 5 minutes or until a slight crunch.

When done remove from pan leaving any juices in the pan. 

Then add the mushrooms, 1 teaspoon of butter 

Saute for 2 minutes if it becomes dry add a few drops of water.

Mix water and milk with potato starch until well combined.

Slowly add wet mixture to mushrooms and stir until thickened, then add the 

asparagus back in and stir until well combined.

If soup is to thick slowly add water or milk until desire thickness (I like it thick)

Then add last 1 teaspoon of butter.

Sea salt to taste!

   

                                                             Birch Life

 

Wonderfully delicious Potato Pancakes vegan

This is a great recipe for potato pancakes, simple and very tasty. Sometimes potato pancakes 

can be greasy and heavy feeling, but not these, they have a wonderful texture and slight crunch,

without the greasy feeling in your mouth. I don't like the white starch potatoes, because the starch can take over the dish. I used yellow flesh potatoes, but also good ispurple flesh potatoes. My twist on the recipe is adding an apple along with a leek.This gives a sweet flavor from both the leek and apple, then the potato

balances it and brings it together. I also have given an option of adding an egg, but it's not necessary, you can leave it out whether you eat vegan or not! I want everyone to eat healthy so if you are not vegan you can still make the recipe and savor the delicious flavors:)

You can serve them savory or sweet. 

Topping is up to you!

I like strawberry jam, agave syrup, maple syrup,and even salsa.

Creme fraiche or a yogurt can give a cooling taste!

Wonderfully delicious Potato Pancakes

4 medium potatoes

1 apple

1/4 piece of leek  

8 leaves parsley

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

3 Tablespoon of butter

1 egg(optional)

sea salt to taste on top

Grate potatoes, apple, leek add sea salt and fresh lemon juice let sit for 5 minutes in a mixing bowl. Then with your hands strain mixture, squeeze out at much liquid out as you can. the mixture will be visibly drier. Then add the parsley roughly chopped . ( if adding a egg whip with fork and add to mixture).

In skillet on medium heat add the butter when melted, make golf size balls and flatten them between hands,  you can make whatever size you want, but make sure they are flat. Cook 3-4 minutes each side until golden brown. Makes 12

I served my with strawberry jam Yummy!!!

                                                           

                                                               Birch Life

  

 

 

Creamy Ice Cream with a new topping!

Most of us like ice cream, whether your favorite flavor is vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, bubble gum
you know who you are:) I have a great idea!
We all like hot fudge, how it melts the ice cream and makes a chocolate sauce that is warm and creamy on the bottom of the dish.
Oh I do love hot fudge, but the other idea is to scoop your favorite flavor into a dish, then pour a fresh or store bought smoothie over the top!
It is completely different flavor then adding fruit to the top of your Sundae, sometimes it does not mix chewing the cold fruit with creamy texture ice cream:(
 Oh my gosh it is sooooooooooooooo good, you get the same as you would with hot fudge a creamy mixture of both ice cream and smoothie.
I used a store bought smoothie (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries).
You can make a fresh one and do the same.
Super refreshing on a hot day.
Here is a picture of what I am talking about ENJOY!
See my new facebook button please like me on facebook.
             
                                                                            Birch Life

Cooling Cucumber and Pear Salad (vegan)

This salad is so so so good, because you have the crunch of cucumber and the sweetness of the pear.
Traditionally it is not a combo, but works so well together.
I add butter for a extra sweetness to the rice.

Just a refreshing salad for hot days.
I like making salads, because you can eat them as a light meal or add them to a main meal!
I have just rediscovered pears in the past months, and WOW what I was missing!
I used to purchase pears to hard and they never ripened :(
So I would end up with a hard tasteless pear, no more!!
When buying pears, pick ones with a slight give, they will finish ripening in a few days:)


Cooling Cucumber and Pear Salad


2 1/2 cups rice (still warm)
1 large pear (diced)
1 medium cucumber(diced, I remove my seeds)
1/2  parsley (chopped)
2 Tablespoons butter (vegan)
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
sea salt to taste
curls of cheese(vegan)

Mix together cucumber, pear add the parsley, pour in the lemon juice,and a pinch of sea salt. let stand 10 minutes.
When rice is still warm mix in the butter and let cool to room temperature.
Then add the cucumber mixture with more sea salt to taste
Finish with curls of cheese!

                                                                 Birch Life