Cyd Notter

Author and Nutrition Educator, Founder of The "Plan A" Diet™

Four Favorite Pumpkin Recipes

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Cool October weather means it's time to bake something with pumpkin!  Before sharing four of our favorite pumpkin recipes, you might be interested to know that cans of organic pumpkin can be purchased at Walmart for $1.88.  That's a deal in my book!  If you know of other great pumpkin bargains, feel free to share in the comments.

Impossible Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Impossible Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a wonderful pie which you prepare in the blender!  It's gluten-free and forms its own crust as it bakes.  The only variations from the recipe that I use are this:  Instead of a pie plate, I use a 7 x 11 glass pyrex baking dish and let the pie bake an extra 15-20 minutes than what's prescribed.  When the top and sides are crusty, it's done - even though the inside will seem mushy.  Let it cool, the refrigerate for several hours.  The pie 'sets' as it cools in the fridge.  Top with Dr. McDougall's Vanilla Cream Sauce if desired (the cream sauce recipe is found at the bottom of the newsletter page).

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delicious cake-like cookies are easy to make (only 7 ingredients)!  Be sure to use non-dairy chocolate chips (such as "Enjoy Life" brand).

Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf

This recipe by Isa Chandra Moskowitz results in a loaf that is both dense and moist - and oh-so chocolatey!  It makes a great  Christmas gift (or stocking stuffer, too, since you can make 4 small loaves if you have the right pans).  Add nuts to the recipe if desired.

Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

This recipe has been a favorite for many years!  I first made these muffins in 2009 and have continued making them ever since.  The link is no longer on-line, but I've posted to the recipe to my website because I feel it's such a keeper.  Be sure to read my NOTES under the recipe.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather.  And if you have a favorite whole-food, plant based pumpkin recipe, let us know!

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Wanted: Good Temple Managers

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(An excerpt from the upcoming book The 'Plan A' Diet: Enjoy the Starches You Were Designed to Eat)

There has been long-term debate over the question: Are you a body with a soul, or a soul with a body? Some people would answer that question as “YES”.  In other words, they believe we are both.  However, scripture is quite clear and there is little room for debate when it comes to the biblical teaching that our bodies are the temple (dwelling place) of God’s Holy Spirit.  Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior are indeed such a temple, and that great privilege came at an exceedingly high price  - the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Don’t you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, whom you received from God, lives in you. You don’t belong to yourselves.

You were bought for a price. So bring glory to God in the way you use your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (GW)


If you are a Christian, taking this teaching to heart may lead to a new perspective about your responsibility to keep your body fit and healthy; it is, after all, the temple of God’s spirit!  God actually resides in you. Are your lifestyle and dietary choices making him comfortable?  Are you bringing glory to Him in the way that you treat and use your body?

These are important questions to consider since the majority of Christians in the U.S. are overweight and unhealthy; it’s apparent that we’re not paying much attention to how food is affecting our health.  When we realize that our bodies are temples of God, the way we view our lives and our food choices will move into clearer focus.  We may no longer be so willing to blindly live according to our culture.  We may no longer be willing to let ‘The 10 Barriers to Change’ continue to defeat us.  We may no longer be willing to bury our heads in the sand or pretend we don’t know there’s a problem with our food choices and other lifestyle habits.  We may finally be ready to bring glory and honor to God by doing whatever it takes to be responsible in this matter.

Please prayerfully consider your responsibility as you ponder these matters in your heart.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

The 'Plan A' Diet Food Pyramid

The 'Plan A' Diet Mission and Philosophy

Easy Tostadas are Muy Bien!

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Are you craving a crunchy taco?  I sure was, but I had given up searching for crispy taco shells years ago since most store-bought shells contain lots of oils.  And I although I could bake my own shells using the small corn tortillas, I decided to once again peruse the grocery shelves to see what's out there.

Then I stumbled upon these Charras oil-free, baked corn tostadas in the ethnic section of the grocery store.  Oh. My. Goodness.

These baked corn tostadas are incredibly yummy and so versatile!  You can top with your own mixture of rice/beans; or sautéed burrito spiced veggies; or make incredible nachos with Mexican Cheese Sauce; or break into chips for use with your favorite guacamole or salsa recipes.

One of our new personal favorites is to top a crispy tostada with: 

  • Fat free refried beans (any variety, just be sure they're oil-free).  Spread as thick as you wish.
  • Add 1-2 TBSP of Taco Meat  (see note)
  • Drizzle a bit of Fat-free Mexican Cheese Sauce
  • Add chopped tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce.  Oh, and jalapeno if you like the heat.
  • Your favorite taco sauce (optional)

(Note:  For the taco meat, I used 3 cups of "riced cauliflower" that I purchased in the frozen section of Walmart, 4 oz. mushrooms, and 1 cup of walnuts, along with the spices as shown in the link).

So far I've seen the Charras Baked Tostadas at Fresh Thyme and at certain Walmart stores; they're reasonably priced between $2.20 - $2.70 a package.

I'd love to hear some of your ideas or see a photo of what you create!

 

 

Quiz: Which Food is a Top-Rated Cancer Causer?

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Take the Food Quiz:

  1. What may you be eating that's classified in the same cancer-causing category as asbestos, arsenic and cigarettes?
  2. What foods being served in all of mainstream America are ranked in the highest of five possible categories of cancer-causing substances?
  3. What popular foods has the American Institute of Cancer Research warned us that we should totally avoid?
  4.  What one serving of food can raise your risk of colon cancer by 18% (and who stops at just ONE)?
  5.  What foods being served at many cancer fundraisers are ironically the same foods that cause cancer?

The answers are found here, my friends, and I pray that you'll take this message to heart.  No food is worth the risk of hearing "I'm sorry, you have cancer."

“Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.  Instead, fix your attention on God.  You’ll be changed from the inside out.”  (Romans 12:2a, MSG)

 

Stumbling Blocks to Dietary Transition

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Are you struggling to eat a healthier diet?  Often our pre-conceived beliefs or worry about the changes occurring in our bodies can be a major stumbling block.

Dr. McDougall released a newsletter yesterday which contained some great answers to these concerns.  He discusses FAQ's about food preferences, weight gain, stopping medications, anemia, and changes in blood sugar, blood pressure, HDL levels and triglycerides.

You can check it out here.

Enjoy the remaining days of summer, and take to heart the assurance of His promise:

When I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord.  When my anxieties multiply, your comforting calms me down.  (Psalm 94:18-19, CEB)

Find me elsewhere