Friday's picture It is 2 part!!!!!!

I like watching birds, it is very relaxing! This one was just standing tall, like a graceful
Lady! It stood there for awhile then flew away without a sound:)
A perfect exit!
                                                                 Birch Life

Thick Juicy Pear and Sweet Strawberry Smoothie

From reading my blog you all know I love pears:)
So I wanted to use it in my smoothie.I began thinking, what can I add to it to make it a really delicious smoothie?
For me pears have a mild sweetness, I don't want to loss the flavor of pears.
I needed to add a fruit that was going to have a burst of sweetness.
My first thought strawberries, they have a great sweet flavor, so you don't have to add
a sweetener.
The combo is really amazing, you can really taste the separate flavors of pears
and strawberries. That was what I wanted, to taste the juicy pears:)
The smoothie has a thick consistency!
This one is my favorite;)


Thick Pear and Sweet Strawberry Smoothie
makes 3 cups


4 pears
4 Tablespoons of yogurt (vegan)
1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk)

Wash fruit, and cut pears, strawberries into chunks, blend all ingredients until
smooth!!
                                                       Birch Life

Garden fresh Asparagus Carrot Spread topping for canapes

Making spreads are really interesting, there are so many different ingredients you can use.
This one is a great option for a party or even to eat as a meal.
I like asparagus, it has a fresh earthly flavor, so good when you get it locally fresh:)
I added carrots, for their sweetness, to balance the earthly almost rich flavor of the asparagus.
I like to serve it on a canape(toasted bread), it makes it feel special!
Individual servings are always the most popular at a party:)

Garden Fresh Asparagus Carrot Spread topping for canapes
Makes 1 cup

6 stalks of asparagus
1 small carrot
2 Tablespoon's sour cream (vegan)
1 Tablespoon milk (I used almond)
1/2 teaspoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice
sea salt
bread (I used gluten free)
butter(vegan) for spread on top of bread after toasting!

Small stock pot bring 3 cups of water to boil with a good pinch of sea salt.
Wash and chop carrots into 1/2 inch rounds, then add to boiling water.
Wash and chop asparagus into 1/2 inch pieces, when carrots have been in water
for 5 minutes add the asparagus and cook another 5 minutes then drain and let cool.
When vegetables are cool add them to blender and sour cream, milk, fresh lemon
juice and 2 good pinches of sea salt.
Puree until smooth, taste for salt add more if desired:)
Toast bread, then butter, and cut into whatever shape you like!
Tip: When I made these for a small party they were the first to go, so make a lot.
                                                            Birch Life

Friday's pictures Sweet Mother and baby bird in the nest!

This one is so sweet, it is a Mother, and her baby, in the nest on the edge of the lake:)
Take time this weekend to enjoy a leisurely stroll, where ever you are in the world!

                                                                       Birch Life

Sunny Mango Blueberry Smoothie

Mango's are like little sunshine's, the perfect smoothie ingredient! It gives the smoothie a great body:)
When I make smoothie's, I like to have a thicker consistency, so I look for
fruit or vegetables that will give me that. I don't like to add ice or protein
powder to get a thick consistency. When buying mango's, I look for healthy, and
unblemished, with a slight give. The secret is to let them ripen on the counter until very ripe!
What do I mean? I have found that leaving them to ripen, and getting very soft to the
touch, you get more flesh from the middle seed. When I let them "soften" I
don't get as much of the seed:( So watch them, and let them get very soft
without going bad!

Sunny Mango Blueberry Smoothie
makes 1 1/2 cups plus

1 mango
1/2 cup milk ( I used oat milk)
1/4 cup blueberries
2 T blueberry yogurt

Wash and peel the mango, cut into chunks, add everything to blender
and mix until very smooth.
                                                      Birch Life

Velvety Avocado Sauce over Noddles!!

I love mac and cheese, but being vegan it can be hard
to find a good vegan mac and cheese. I think I miss the smoothness of cheese on noodles.
It is not really about the cheese, it is about the texture and feel you get in your mouth.
So I came up with this recipe, to have the same smoothness, but I think I like this
better then mac and cheese:)
This recipe is so good, it is so quick to make,
when you have no time.


Avocado Sauce over Noodles
serves 4

250 grams dried pasta (gluten free)
1 avocado
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons milk (I used almond milk)
1 Tablespoons vegan butter
squeeze of fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon)
sea salt

Make noodles as directed by package. When noodles are done, before draining
save 1/2 cup of noodle water.
Add butter to the drained noodles and a good pinch of sea salt, and let cool.
Open avocado and scoop out flesh, mash with milk and a good pinch of sea salt, until smooth.
Add squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
In large bowl put noodles in and add avocado sauce, slowly add
noodle water only until creamy and every noodle is coated.
You may not need all the noodle water, just eyeball.
Taste for salt!
I don't have a picture, but it is very delicious and has a nice presentation.
                                                                        Birch Life    

Friday's picture Who wants fresh coconut water?

Who wants fresh coconut water?
It is very very important to stay hydrated when it is hot outside!
Water is always good, but think of other ways,
watermelon, cucumbers, and juicy apple;)
So drink up or eat something with a high water context.
                                                                  Birch Life

                                                           

Creamy Cauliflower Soup with a hint of Dill (surprise addition) Served cold or hot

When I make soup, sometimes I like to puree it, but not everyone likes it pureed.
I saw someone grating their cauliflower, so I thought if I grate it I'm giving everyone
what they want;) I added dill to it because I like the distinctive flavor and it adds some color!
Very simple recipe to make, and it is great for a large crowd.
So if you see cauliflower at the farmers market buy it, you have a recipe for it.
A finishing touch is adding roasted salted cashews to the middle of the bowl before serving!
It really works with the crunch and sweetness from the cauliflower!


Creamy Cauliflower Soup and a hint of Dill
makes 3 cups

1 1/2  cups grated cauliflower
3/4 cup milk (I used oat milk)
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup of roasted salted cashew's
1 Tablespoon vegan butter
3 teaspoons potato starch (any starch you like)
a sprig of dill (finely chopped about 2 teaspoons)
sea salt to taste


With a box grater use the medium holes and simply wash the cauliflower and grate it.
In a medium soup pot on medium heat melt butter, add cauliflower and a good pinch of sea salt.
Cook 3-4 minutes don't let the cauliflower brown! Keep stirring until soft.
Mix 3/4 cup of water to the potato starch until smooth.
Then add the water starch mixture and milk to cauliflower and reduce temperate to low.
Mix until thickened, add 2 good pinches of sea salt.
Remove from heat, add finely chopped dill.
Add more sea salt to taste.
Before serving, divide the cashews and place in the middle of the individual bowls.
Tip: You can also serve cold it is delicious.

                                                                     Birch Life

Honeydew Melon Sweet Smoothie

Smoothie series: Honeydew melon is one of those fruits that I can't wait for to be in season:)
For me the honeydew has a completely different flavor then cantaloupe. The honeydew has a very sweet honey flavor, with a light green flesh and is perfect for a smoothie.
The melon has a large amount of water in it, with no need for a added sweetener.                                         It is very important not to store in the refrigerator.
Leaving it on the counter ensures that it ripens to perfection!
When buying a melon smell it! Check for cracks or bruising.
When the melon looks good and smells good, you found the right one!
If you buy one that does not smell sweet, let it sit on the counter for a few days!
Try a honeydew if you have never tried it before.:)



Honeydew Melon Sweet Smoothie
Mine made 2 cups plus depends on the size of melon

1 melon
1 1/4 cups milk ( I used almond milk)
3 Tablespoons yogurt (vegan)
1 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Wash melon well, and cut melon open and scoop out flesh.
Add all the ingredients, and mix in blender or stick blender until
well combined.

                                                               Birch Life

Friday's picture Who loves seaweed!!!!

I love seaweed, the way it is floating in the sea, the colors, even the way it feels!
Most of all I love to eat it:)
So if you have never tried seaweed, visit your local natural food
store.
My favorite is Dulse.
Great snack idea, wrap Dulse leaves around a almond, soooooooo delicious.
                                                                     Birch Life

Tru whip review Fluff Happy whipping cream ( almost vegan)

 I have asked a guest writer to review the TruWhip product. This product is in the frozen section of the grocery store or natural foods store.

This is a whipping cream that is(almost) vegan. This is so airy and tremendously light.
This is so gentle when you put it on a spoon and it goes into your mouth.
All you need to do is open the container have a spoon, a tablespoon or
teaspoon get ready and dip it in. I had two pieces of chocolate to add to the
enjoyment of my fluff whipping cream.
The chocolate was Lindt from Switzerland, with dried sour cherries, chopped
almonds and dark chocolate. This was really something to delight in.
Hope you try this...
link to website www.truwhip.com
                                                                 Birch Life

Vegan Strawberry Ice cream in 10 minutes or less

I love ice cream, but becoming vegan, it can be very difficult to make good ice cream.
I happen to be making something else when I came up with this recipe.
It was so delicious:) The ice cream is so simple and it is a big wow from guests.
You will need a blender or a good mixer to make this, because the strawberries
are frozen. You can serve immediately or you can put back in the freezer,
but you will need at least 30 minutes for it to be able to scoop.
Everyone is different, how big the container, how much you made,
so watch it when you take it out of the freezer. Make a large potion
because everyone will want seconds even thirds:)
The ice cream is a very satisfying in texture and taste!
It comes out very thick and creamy!!!


Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cups plus (depends on the strawberries)

1lb frozen strawberries
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk (I used almond)
1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon yogurt (vegan)
2 Tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice


Take out frozen berries, and rinse them in warm water,
for one second.
Then place all the ingredients in the mixer and mix until well blended,
you may have to open it to move mixture around.
It will come out smooth and very lovely!   Enjoy.
                                               Birch Life

Friday's picture my new Friend!!!

Greetings from Southern Florida, a very curious little lizard.
The lizard was so cute to watch, they are so fast and wiggly:)
I love watching wildlife it is so relaxing.
                                                                      Birch Life

Savory Creamy Avocado Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie

Second smoothie in the series. Everybody thinks smoothie's have to be sweet. Some people don't like sweet things, even if they are fruit. So I came up with a savory smoothie. The high note is avocado with
back round hint of strawberry and blueberry. I like this one if you are adding it to a meal,
because it really fills you up. Avocados have that creamy texture almost like you added a heavy cream.
This one is a go to for a savory treat!!!


Savory Creamy Avocado Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
Makes about 2 cups

1 avocado
15 strawberries
1/2 cup of blueberries
1 1/2 cup of milk (I used oats milk)
1 Tablespoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice

Wash all fruit and cut the avocado in half, take the seed out, and scoop
out the flesh. Blend all ingredients very well until thick and creamy:)
                                                                     Birch Life

Naturbageriet Sattva Stockholm Sweden, Vegan Bakery, Raw, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Best Cinnamon Rolls in Stockholm Sweden

This bakery is the very best. They have gluten free, vegan, raw, sugar free, and organic.
These pictures have a 1000 vegan smiles from me:)
When you step into the bakery it is a tiny, but full of many delicious treats.
It is pretty much all vegan, there are some sandwiches with cheese.
In the window you see kanal bullar (cinnamon rolls), I have had many vegan cinnamon rolls
they were dry and hard, and very little flavor or super tiny and costs a fortune.
Not this one, they where so soft and  full of cinnamon with a not so sweet icing.
They cost 20kr, which is really good, they are giant size. I even bought one and had it
the next day, I heated it up and spread vegan butter on top AMAZING!!!!!

 The poppy seed pastry is filled with vanilla custard. Very delicious it is flaky crust and covered with poppy seeds on top, very large piece:) cost is 20kr. They also make there own bread. The next picture is of the outside, of course these 3 guys had to sit down as I took the picture, so I will tell you what they are eating.

 It is like a calzone, a calzone is pastry that is filled with different ingredients.That day it was olive tofu,
spinach tofu, or curry tofu they cost 25kr. They also make most lushes pie, pear pecan, it is layered with pears and topped with tons of pecans, If you like pecan pie, you will love this one, even good cold the next day:) cost 30kr. The piece was large;) They also make a blomma (flower in Swedish) it is coconut oil, raisin, nuts, dates, they mix it and make it into a solid flower mold, cost 10kr
My favorite thing is the choklad  drom (chocolate dream) which is all of that.
They mix chocolate and dates, raisins, coconut oil, nuts, seeds and make it into a bar. It is very rich and chocolaty, kind of like a chocolate bar filled with a hole lot of yummy! I can eat half of a bar at a time:)
Here is a picture of it, sorry it is so grainy!

I have given you some of my favorites, but they sell many more things as well, you can have coffee, tea, and chai. The cost is between 15-25kr. (soy milk for cappuccinos!)
A bonus is they have a pre-made smoothie in the cooler for 20kr:)
When you are in Stockholm, you must try this Bakery, you surely will not be disappointed.
The location is great, they are on the island of Galma Stan (which is where the old city is)
The address is Stora Nygatan 6, Stockholm, Sweden,
5 minute walk from the metro!!(Galma Stan stop).
The best selection is usually before lunch time!!!!
.                                                                     Birch Life

The best all natural deodorant, with 1 ingredient, that really works, and costs penny's!!

I love this deodorant, it totally works. I have been using it for over a year now.
Works in very hot weather, even when I am sweating. I have had great success
when traveling, on an overseas flight:)  It cost soooo little money!
Scroll down thru my blog to the original article.
You are probably saying what is it?
Lime, yes lime! Simply cut into 4 wedges and apply to a clean underarm where
your hair grows. For me I squeeze a little juice on my finger tips
then spread it under my arm where the hair grows. People just squeeze it to get the juice
going then rub under their arm. Whatever works for you.
I apply only once between showers, because I can get irritation,
if I apply it with out thoroughly cleaning my underarms.
Please give a try!!!!! Tell everyone about this it works and it's natural.
Spread the word and get the whole world to use this deodorant!
It is totally vegan.
                                                 Birch Life

10 minute Tomato Sauce for pizza and vegan ideas for topping yummy!!!!!!!

I don't buy anything in a can, so I had to come up with a way to make homemade tomato sauce.
I like the flavor better of fresh sauce then the can! This easy recipe is great made for 1 person to
100 people. It takes no more then 10 minutes to make.
You can use whatever fresh tomatoes you like. People say only use roma tomatoes,
but I like all different flavors from a variety of tomatoes. I have even used yellow tomatoes for sauce.
It had a sweeter flavor then the red ones and less acidic as well. So try a variety of tomatoes for
your sauces:)


10 minute Tomato sauce
makes enough for 1 10 inch pizza crust

2 tomato's
pinch of sea salt
any fresh herbs you like chopped (1 teaspoons)

In a small pot on medium heat add 2 washed tomatoes, pinch of salt over each one,
cover. Let cook 3 minutes, not taking off cover.
When 3 minutes are over, lift cover and the tomatoes should be
sweaty, and collapsing. Mush down with a fork any remaining
pieces.
Cook on low the remaining 7 minutes covered.
If your tomatoes are on the drier side add a very small amount
of liquid.
You may not need the whole 7 minutes more, watch and stir until
slight thick texture.
Strain out the seeds and skins.

 I don't mind a few seeds

I made pizza for a birthday party. I used real cheese on request from the birthday guest, and no cheese for another.
I also used Tunn brod which is a Swedish flatbread. So use any flat bread you can find or even a wrap.
You can also find gluten free variety's

Toast the bread for 3-5 minutes until slight crisp edges. Then add the tomato sauce.
I sauteed 1 cup of  broccoli with long stalks in 1 tablespoon of butter with stalks for 4 minutes until fork tender.
Add broccoli and grated cheese, put in oven until cheese melted.
Another person wanted no sauce, so I put cheese on the bottom, melted it, and add the broccoli
and grated carrots.

 For the people who wanted no cheese I add tomato sauce then sauteed broccoli, and grated carrots.

I made a white sauce, vegan  for one pizza. I used a vegan creme fraiche (2 tablespoons) with a pinch of sea salt and a good tablespoon of chopped  parsley. Then add the broccoli and grated carrots. Yummy

When making pizza use whatever toppings you like, but all these were huge hits:) Everyone couldn't stop eating them.The grated carrots give a sweet taste and a cheese texture.

So try and enjoy.

Birch Life

Friday's picture View from the North Sea!!!!!!

Evening sunset, at the North Sea! The sweet smell of saltiness in the air, ummm a long inhale:)
 Happy Summer Solstice.

                                                              Birch Life