Serving up a Healthy St. Patrick's Day

A few years after starting the Healthy Voyager blog, I decided to share more then just my travel tips and began to share holiday ideas and recipes.  I've made it a point to cover most of the biggies and fun ones and St. Patrick's Day always makes the cut ; )  This year is no different! I'm collected a few recipes to help you feel luck, as well as a bit healthier, this coming day of clover, green & liquor overload. In addition, you can find some more eco tips & fun recipes from past posts here: click here for 2008 and click here for 2009 ; ) This year, the recipes will not only be Irish themed, but will help prevent or help hangovers while keeping you healthy, slim & trim!

• Start your morning with these:

IRISH SCONES

1 cup white flour
1/4 pound vegan butter -- softened
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg replacer
2 ounces sugar
2 ounces white raisins
Walnut halves (optional)

Mix flour and baking powder. Add butter, and blend until the mixture is butter-colored. Add sugar and continue to mix well. Add half the egg replacer and all the milk. Add raisins or some nuts, if desired, mixing well to make a sticky dough. Turn dough onto floured board and knead for at least 5 minutes or longer. Cut dough into rounds and place on greased baking sheet or hot frying pan. Brush tops of scones with remainder of the egg replacer. Place walnut halves on top, if desired. Bake at 350 to 375 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until brown. If preparing over an open fire, heat frying pan till very hot . Place scones in pan and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Turn and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes.  

• To chow on before your big night out so that you fill up on some tasty starches. Starches slow down alcohol absorption ; ) This is also good to fight off your bludgeoning headache the morning after!

IRISH POTATO SOUP

9 potatoes, peeled and diced
6 stalks of celery, sliced
4 large carrots, sliced
2 small onions, chopped
3 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
3 better then chicken bullion cubes (or any vegan chicken bullion brand you like), dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water
6 cups unsweetened soymilk
1/2 cup flour
1 stick of vegan butter

Combine the potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, water, and seasonings in a large pan. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Combine a small amount of milk and flour until smooth. Add this mixture and the rest of milk to the potato mixture. Stir in the butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until the soup thickens.

• For a sweet treat at your festivities or to bring to a party. Again, the potatoes help with alcohol absorption.

ST. PATRICK'S POTATO AND APPLE PUDDING

2 T vegan butter
8 oz self-raising flour
6 oz freshly mashed potatoes
4 T soymilk
5 medium cooking apples
Brown sugar
Whole cloves
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 T Cider

Mix the butter into the hot mashed potatoes, add a good pinch of salt, and the flour, and mix well, then add enough milk to make a soft, slack dough. Roll out and line a 1-qt bowl with some of it, reserving enough for the lid. Fill with the apples, peeled and cored and finely sliced, and sweeten to taste with sugar. Add 2 whole cloves, the lemon juice and the cider (or water), taking care not to make it too wet. Dampen the pastry edges, lay the lid on and press down. Cover with foil and secure well. Steam, or cook set in boiling water up to the rim, for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Serve cut in wedges with vegan whipped cream and/or vegan ice cream.  

• Have a nice cup of Milk Thistle Tea with your meal as it will aid in your liver's ability to process alcohol better ; )

• For the morning after, to replace electrolytes & rehydrate ; )

HOMEMADE GATORADE

2 QTs filtered water

1/2 cup Orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Mix all the ingredients together and serve chilled.

• Have some Ginger Root Tea, bananas & saltines handy for upset tummies.

Be sure to check out last year's posts for more health & greening your holiday tips as well as heaps more St. Patrick's Day recipes.  Have a very happy and healthy celebration!!

A "Super" St. Patrick's Day!

I'm wearing green, don't pinch me! I thought I'd don a "Super St. Patrick's Day" outfit for the occasion ; ) Haha, but for real - this is a day for green beer and funky food so why not start wearing costumes, no? Anyhoo, here are some tips and recipes to make this the "Superist" St. Paddy's day yet!

Keep from turning green the day after all the festivities by:

• Drinking plenty of water before going out to drink as well as drinking an occasional glass of plain water during the time that you are consuming alcohol. Be sure drink a full glass of water just before going to sleep that night.
• Have a dinner of starchy foods such as pasta or potatoes. Starchy foods slow down the alcohol absorption.
• Drink slowly (nurse your drinks). Less alcohol consumption equals less chance for a hangover.

Things that can help you if you do overdo it are:

• Taking vitamin c as it will help to breakdown the alcohol faster in your body.
  
• As soon as you wake in the morning drink another full glass of water.
  
• Also, taking vitamin B complex capsules you will lessen the time that your hangover will last.
• You can make a hangover tea by crushing 5 to 6 thyme leaves and place them in a cup. Fill the cup with water and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove the leaves and drink the remaining liquid.
• Placing a cold pack to the forehead will give immediate relief from a headache.
• Consuming alcohol puts toxins into your body. You can help to drain these toxins from your body by taking a hot bath in the morning. When you drain the toxins you will experience less symptoms.
• Eat a banana for breakfast the morning after you have been drinking.

And try these "Super" St. Paddy's drinks:

Shamrock Smoothie

• 2 oz Melon Vodka
  
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• Splash of orange curaçao
• juice of 2 limes

Blend ingredients with 3/4 cup ice in a blender and serve in frosty mug!

Vegan Irish Cream (add it to coffee or any creamy cocktail!!)

• 1 can of coconut milk
• 2 tbls brown sugar
• 2 tbls choc syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 3/4 cup of whiskey
  

Mix thoroughly do not froth. Keep refrigerated in a dark bottle.

Have a "Super" fun and "Super" safe St. Paddy's day!!
xoxo

Have a Greener St. Paddy's Day!

St. Paddy's is a wonderful day to celebrate drunkenness by way of green beer and food comas by way of corned beef. But there are ways to partake in the debauchery without falling off the proverbial health wagon. Here are a few tips to have a greener and healthier St. Patty's day this year!

• St. Paddy's Day morning, start off with a healthy glass of green juice by Odwalla, Naked, Trader Joe's or Bolthouse Farms. You will get a few of your daily servings of hearty veggies in one glass as well as boost your immune system for later, not so healthy action ; )
• Walk or ride your bike to your local Irish pub to save up some calories, gas and the environment as well as to help save lives after to much green fun ; )
• If you have to work that day, bring in some delicious and healthy Zucchini Muffins to keep with the green theme:

Zucchini Muffins with Cinnamon-Crumb Topping
Dry ingredients:
2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Wet ingredients:
1 1/2 teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer
2 tablespoons water
1 1/4 cup shredded zucchini, packed
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener)
1 1/4 cups fat-free soymilk or other non-dairy milk

Optional Cinnamon Crumb Topping:
1 teaspoon margarine
1/2 tablespoon demerara sugar
1/2 tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
(Use a fork to combine until crumbly.)

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a muffin pan with paper or silicone liners or spray well with non-stick spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk the Ener-G egg replacer powder with the water until foamy. Add the remaining wet ingredients and stir to combine.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until combined. Do not over-stir. Batter will be very heavy. Spoon into muffin cups, dividing batter equally among the cups. Sprinkle the center of each muffin with a little Cinnamon Crumb Topping, if desired, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

As a special tribute to St. Patrick's Day, sprinkle them with green sugar.
(recipe by SusanV)

• Host a delicious dinner before the liquor starts to flow like this Vegan Irish meal of Corned Beef & Cabbage, Red Dill Potatoes and Irish Soda Bread:
  

Vegan Corned Beef and Cabbage
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1/2 head cabbage, finely chopped or shredded (I used red cabbage this time)
4 carrots, cut into 2-inch lengths and quartered
2 ribs celery, thickly sliced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon mild horseradish
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
6-8 ounces vegetarian "beef" or seitan or reconstituted TVP chunks (I used Lightlife Strips)
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon red wine or cooking sherry (really adds great flavor)

Sauté the onion in a large, non-stick pot until it starts to brown. Add the remaining vegetables, the broth, and the seasonings. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. Add the "beef," cover, and cook for 15 more minutes, until vegetables are soft.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables and "beef" to a serving plate and keep warm. Return the broth to the heat. In a small cup, combine the flour, water, and wine. Gradually stir the flour mixture into the simmering broth. Cook and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan, until the broth has thickened, about 10 minutes. Pour the gravy over the "beef" and vegetables to serve.

Roasted Red Potatoes with Dill
Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut small red potatoes in half, larger red potatoes into quarters (all should be about the same size). Allow about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of potatoes for 4 servings. Place in a non-metal baking dish and spray lightly with canola oil (optional). Bake until potatoes are lightly browned and tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with salt and dill weed, to taste.

Vegan Irish Soda Bread
2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain soy yogurt

Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the yogurt and use your hands to mix it in well. (Add more flour if the dough is sticky, more yogurt if it's too dry.) Shape into a ball and put on cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
(recipes by SusanV)

• Keep the calories low with these festively colorful libations:

Hard Limeade
(yields 1 glass)
3 limes, juiced
Lemon/lime seltzer
Square One Organic Vodka
Superfine sugar, to taste (I like Stevia)

Combine all ingredients in a glass with ice cubes.

Green Tea-Ni
1.5 oz. Square One Organic Vodka infused with green tea
1 oz. fresh lime juice
3/4 oz. organic Agave nectar or to taste
1/2 oz. orange liqueur

Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a little zest of lime.

Or throw some organic green food coloring into some organic, low cal beer!!

And have a safe and happy St. Paddy's Day!!!