10/28/2009: Phil from Dearing, Ga writes: "Hello to all. I have been trying to clean up my diet and am finding this very difficult to do. I know all the things I am suppose to do as far as food is concerned, but the problem seems to be my boredum with food from raw or frozen. I do good for a week or so and then I have these incredible cravings for things like pizza,tacos,and sweets.

Now what I would like to see is a healthy cooking from scratch page or ( healthy recipes from scratch ) This would be recipes that would be made from the flour,corn meal,sweetners,flavorings for things such as tacos ( WITHOUT the MSG and other bad chemicals ) That are good for you. I know they have specialty food stores that already have these things I speak of pre packaged. But for those of us on a budget, those prices are often to high to bare.

I already know about hormone free and organic products,but this would be a way for us all to eat some what of the way modern society does. Keep us from becoming bored with our foods. I truely miss GRAVY and would love to enjoy it again, but as healthy of a version as possiable.

Thank you,
Phil"

06/17/2011: Francisca from Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France writes: "For those who want to avoid harmful chemicals here are a few ideas I have tried out which appear in a collection of little book in French each on a subject like Lemon, Clay, Vinegar, Olive Oil, Magnesium Chloride and many more. Very useful.....

Lip Balsem: Melt 15g of bee wax or shea butter in 10 ml jojoba oil or sweet almond oil au bain-marie. Add 1 drop of Lemon Essential Oil (I would add two as with one I didn't smell a thing! ). Mix and once cooled down store it in a little pot (it will last you a long time as you use very little so if you wish a bit less just make half of the recipe). Rub over your lips.

Anti-wrinkle mask: Place 2 slices of lemon in a bowl (1 if your skin is very dry and 4 if it is very greasy) and cover with equal parts of creme fraiche (I suppose nowadays you can buy it everywhere) and milk, both lightly warmed up beforehand. Let rest for at least 3 hours. Try do use the mask a few times a week. To use apply it over your face and let dry for 30 minutes. Rinse using a wet towel!"

02/06/2012: Andrea from Bismarck, Nd, United States writes: "Hello, Just looking for some feedback on a foot soak recipe I just concocted:

10/29/2009: Tricia from Ireland writes: "My Mom made what she called a healthy gravy by letting any fat or residue left in a pot or pan reduce to just prior to burning then add a tablespoon or two of water and stir. This gave you use of the leftover nutrients without any E no's added. I usually do it but add milk instead of water cos I prefer white sauces. If I want to make a fancy sauce I add the herbs as necessary. You can learn which herbs to use by reading the ingredients on the back of the packets at the supermarket. I get annoyed when I see "Herb mix" printed on them because then I can't copy it."

[YEA]  10/29/2009: Sheena from Glasgow, Scotland writes: "Hummus Recipe

1 ordinary sized can of chick peas
3 - 5 tablespoons of water (decide on your own preferred consistency)
Half to 3/4 juice of lemon
Half clove - 2 cloves of garlic (half is not too garlicky, but I've had complaints from 1 - 2 cloves, but I like it!)
Huge heaped teaspoon of peanut butter
3 - 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil (again decide yourself on how oily you want it)
Half - 3/4 teaspoon of cumin powder
Sea salt & ground pepper to season

Pour chick peas into a sieve and rinse well. Put all ingredients into a container - I use a measuring jug - and whiz with a hand blender.

I like to eat this with toasted whole meal pita breads, raw carrot and raw broccoli. You can also spread it on toast or crackers.

Not sure how long this safely keeps for, but I've kept it in the fridge for 2 - 3 days and it has been absolutely fine."

10/29/2009: Haycee from Gauteng, South Africa writes: "Here's an easy basic recipe for one pizza - double or triple ingredients if you want to make more than one at a time:

1 cup of flour of your choice - plain, wholewheat etc. Add about a tsp of instant yeast, a shake of sea salt, a small pinch of sugar and half a cup of lukewarm water. Mix together and knead until smooth. Kneading is basically bashing the dough about a bit - just in case you have no experience in this department. It sounds like more work than it really is. You could finish making the dough within five to ten minutes.

Cover the dough and leave to rise in a warm place (about 30 minutes). Meanwhile make the sauce. Saute (lightly fry) about 1 tbs of finely chopped onion in a bit of olive/coconut oil. Add a large chopped tomato or two, salt and a small pinch of sugar, and simmer. When the sauce has thickened, take it off the heat and add some finely chopped garlic and any herbs you like. I like thyme.

While the sauce is cooking, prepare the base. Take the dough, which should by now spring back when you lightly press it with a finger, roll it into a ball and flatten into a lightly oiled round pizza tin or shape it on a baking tray. Spread sauce over base, add toppings of your choice, sprinkle with about a third to half a cup of grated cheese (does not have to be mozzarella - I often use cheddar or gouda), sprinkle some extra herbs on top if you prefer, and pop it into a hot oven of about 400deg C. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the base is firm - about 15 minutes."

11/20/2009: Nobody from Somewhere, Usa writes: "I am a 40yr woman that "hates" vegetables. I know this sounds awful, but true. I eat lots of meats and can stand very few vegetables so my diet is limited as far as healthy eating goes. I would like to change this though as I am starting to have health issues-acne, leaky gut, thyroidism, candida. If anyone has any recipe ideas to help I sure would appreciate it. Thanks and God Bless."

[YEA]  01/02/2011: Deirdre from Earth Clinic writes: "For those craving more garlic in their diets, a friend of mine recently sent me a recipe from England for Roasted Tomato and Garlic soup that I have used over and over in various dishes, like lentils and pasta, with slight ingredient variations. This is such a delicious recipe, let me tell you! The soup is yummy, but I did found it quite acidic, so be forewarned if you suffer from acid reflux. Better if you only use half a head of garlic rather than the entire head as the recipe states. Please let me know if you make it and come up with any additional creative variations!

ROASTED TOMATO AND GARLIC SOUP

Ingredients:

2kg/4½ lbs large ripe plum tomatoes, halved
1 garlic bulb, cut in half horizontally
2 large red onions, peeled, quartered
Few sprigs fresh thyme
1 tbsp golden caster sugar (superfine sugar)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Optional Ingredients:

250ml/9fl oz vegetable stock (optional)
100ml/3½ fl oz single cream (optional)
Few drops balsamic vinegar (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat the oven 375 degrees. Place the tomatoes, garlic, onions and thyme into a large roasting tin and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with the oil, and roast in the oven for 40-50 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Mash the garlic with the back of a fork, and discard the skin. Tip the roasted tomatoes and onions into a food processor along with the mashed garlic, and pulse until smooth. If the soup is too thick, pour into a large saucepan and loosen the mixture with either vegetable stock, or single cream. Add balsamic vinegar, to season, if you like.

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Deirdre's Variations

LENTILS
Using the above but blending just half a head of the peeled and roasted garlic, I pulsed the ingredients in the blender and then stirred half the recipe into two cups of cooked red lentils. Add more of the sauce if you want lentil soup.

PASTA SAUCE
I substituted dried oregano for fresh thyme during the roasting process. I did NOT use any of the optional ingredients. I then pulsed the ingredients in a food processor and added about 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne and some fresh basil. I also used a teaspoon of honey instead of caster sugar. Most delicious pasta sauce ever!! I served it over rice pasta.

NOTES:

The above 3 recipes taste better the second day, but who can wait!

Get ready for a most delicious, lingering aroma while the tomatoes and garlic are roasting in the oven!

A hint of butter added the soup/sauce right before serving brings out the flavor."

[YEA]  04/05/2010: Annonymous from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Usa writes: "Make a batch of scrambled eggs and add a heaping teaspoon of basil and a teaspoon or so of turmeric. Add some (real) cheese."

11/05/2010: Rob from Manhattan, Ny writes: "I find this to be quite effective when I feel a cold or virus taking hold. I prefer to use the dense European bread with the 1/8 inch slices. It has a lower glycemic index. (likeMestemacher)

-onto a toasted slice, spread a generous amount of coconut or Olive oil. -then press 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, mash evenly. -next sprinkle a tsp of Matcha powder. (whole leaf green tea powder) you should be able to purchase at a local health store or online. -cover with a spread of honey and cinnamon. Mash out evenly with a fork, it will become a dark paste. & enjoy.. The garlic, honey, and green tea powder act as powerful anti-virals... Plus I find it quite tasty."