"Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness.  How do you know this is the experience you need?  Because this is the experience you are having."

~ Eckhart Tolle

We dedicate our menu this Monday to Brian who will be turning 37 years old (yikes).  And, yes, that may be why we are offering two desserts in next week's delivery (both of which are chocolate).  When we met, he enjoyed the typical Army Captain's diet of Ben and Jerry's ice cream (by the pint), cheap beer (probably also by the pint), and Totino's pizza (if you can call it pizza).  A seemingly odd fit to own a health food business, he displayed tendencies from a young age to serve in this capacity.

It probably started back on a fall day in Springfield, MO where Brian and his cousin, both 7 at the time,  were climbing tall trees on the property of their grandparents house.  As Marissa recounts, the thrill of climbing kept them going higher and higher until they reached the top and looked down.  Scared (of both falling and getting in trouble by Grandma), she asked Brian, "How are we going to get down?" He simply said, "Just follow me and only step onto the branches that I step on first."  Eventually they both made it down safely.

Some time later, Brian's grandmother started offering him money for birthdays and holidays in lieu of a gift and would take him shopping to spend that $50 wherever he wanted.  Every occasion and every year, Brian wanted to go to one place only.  The bookstore.  Fifty dollars is a lot for a kid to spend, but particularly when it is only spent on books (which back in the 80's used to be about $5).  Sparked by curiosity about how the world worked and gifted with the kind of focus that not even an earthquake could shake, Brian always finished his books before the holiday break was over.

The instinctive willingness and courage to lead a loved one down a tall shaky tree made it all that much easier to leave a steady corporate paycheck in a time of "economic recession" and uncertainty to start a small business not necessarily knowing where each step would lead but confident in getting to the final destination.  Brian's huge appetite for knowledge combined with the kind of curiosity that kills cats has resulted in the quest for self mastery from some of our most important thought leaders, how to best care for the world, our country, our community, our CN team, and our family, and the detail of our menus and ingredients down to the quality of our olive oil.

Brian's 'highlight reel' includes many great moments:  graduating from one of the most competitive colleges, serving this great nation, working at the Fortune 1 company, marrying WAY up, and having two healthy and beautiful girls.  All of these moments served to prepare Brian to be working on your behalf in your health journey, but there's no replacement for being 50 feet up in a tree or amongst a sea of interesting minds and ideas that lay in books just waiting to be read.

Now the only question is, what book can I get him this year? 

Oprah's Going Organic

Oprah Winfrey is getting into the organic food business. Winfrey filed five trademark applications at the end of October with the US Patent and Trademark Office for names such as “Oprah’s Organics,” “Oprah’s Harvest,” and “Oprah’s Farm.”

Oprah, who owns hundred of acres of land in Maui, Hawaii, will reportedly have products such as salad dressings, sauces, soups, dips, frozen vegetables and beverages. The same brand name will also produces bath and body products such as soap, bubble bath, moisturizer, lip balm, hand cream, hair products and other personal-care items.

"The trademarks were filed for Oprah's farm on Maui to enable the farm to grow and distribute produce on Maui and throughout the Hawaiian Islands," Oprah spokeswoman Nicole Nichols said via email.

Only two percent of food produced in the United States is organic so Oprah’s brand can certainly make a splash in the industry. Large companies like Kraft, Smuckers, and Dean Foods have acquired small organic companies and have yet to fully tap into the industry.

Oprah is not the first high-profile woman to make a statement about organic foods. First Lady Michelle Obama planted an organic garden on the White House lawn back in 2009.

At Conveniently Natural, we hope that Oprah’s business helps organic foods become mainstream to promote healthier eating and living. Organic farming is less stressful on the environment, has a better effect on your body, tastes great and promotes the local community.

We believe that there should be strict standards for the food you consume.

While it may be awhile before you can buy Oprah’s organic foods stateside, you can purchase healthy organic and wholesome food at an affordable price at Conveniently Natural. Our locally sourced, non-processed food is lovingly prepared and available for as low as $8.50 per meal!

We do the dirty work and you can eat clean without the hassle, stress, or mess. Contact us today to learn more and to order by calling Conveniently Natural at (913) 766-2312 or e-mailing us.

Chicks and Peas

The average American consumed 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving, according to the Calorie Control Council.  (Yep, evidently there's a council for this sort of thing. The cameras on your smart phones were probably taken over by the council to watch every bite of stuffing ladled with gravy you ate.)  Who knows, but nonetheless, if you're feeling a bit bloated and even your fat pants are tight this week, check out our delicious menu powered by veggies and whole grains!   

I'm still dreaming of those smoky toasted chickpeas on the Sweeter than Life Salad.  So, I decided to dedicate our blog this week to one cool chick whose alias is the garbanzo bean.  Naturally low in fat, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins and minerals, I think even the Calorie Control Council would give this bean the nod. 

Pumpkin Spice-Roasted Chickpeas

*Taken from Sarah Matheny's "Peas and Thank You"

Ingredients:

14-oz can of chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp canola oil

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Combine all ingredients into large mixing bowl until evenly coated.

3.  Spread chickpeas on cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Lemon Rosemary-Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients:

14-oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried rosemary, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Combine all ingredients into large mixing bowl until evenly coated.

3.  Spread chickpeas on cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Spiced Chickpea Nuts

*Taken from Eating Well magazine

Ingredients:

14-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried marjoram

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp salt 

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Combine all ingredients into large mixing bowl until evenly coated.

3.  Spread chickpeas on cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Veg'N Seven Layer Dip Recipe

We love the versatility of our organic, healthy prepared meals!  Try making a Veg'N Seven Layer Dip with our Mexican Burrito Bowl.

Ingredients:
-Mexican Burrito Bowl
-1 cup Daiya Cheddar or Pepperjack Cheese
-2 avocados, pitted and sliced thin
-1 cup Toffuti Sour Cream
-1 tsp Organic Taco Seasoning
-1 cup diced tomatoes
-1/4 cup sliced black olives
-1/4 cup sliced green onions

Steps:
1.  Saute' a 24 oz serving of our Mexican Burrito Bowl in your skillet for 6 to 8 minutes.
2.  Mix sour cream and taco seasoning together in a bowl.
3.  Spread in the bottom of an 8 x 8 dish.
4.  Then, follow with these layers:  1 cup Daiya Cheese, avocado slices, sour cream mixture, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions (and any remaining cheese you wish)

Do You Want to Know a Secret?

This past week, we have been in the presence of greatness.  We had the tremendous honor of participating in Dr. Michelle Robin’s 20 Year Celebration of Wellness, beginning Wednesday night as she launched her second book, The E Factor:  Engage, Energize, Enrich.  I have admired Dr. Robin ever since I first listened to her speak nearly a year ago.  She has literally touched and healed thousands and thousands of people in her chiropractic clinic , but it is her commitment to compassion and human connection that makes her impact stretch far beyond those who walk through her doors.  

We had the opportunity to spend time with the funny and charming Frank Ferrante and listen to his inspiring story about transformation from a life of drugs, alcohol, depression, and obesity to one of health, clean living, compassion and most importantly love and human connection.  Kansas City has the privilege of two showings this weekend of his movie, May I Be Frank.  (Click here for more details.) 

We were also fortunate enough to spend time with a wise and brilliant soul, Tess Masters (Healthy Blender Girl).  As the face (and faux-American voice) of Vitamix and Healthy Blender Girl and uber-successful blog, Healthy Blender Recipes, we were entertained and humbled by her personal journey of finding “the perfect diet” (which, by the way, is a farce).

We have been awe-struck by these amazing personalities listening to not only what they have accomplished but where they are going next!  (To the top…)  Admittedly, we’ve spent this week on a complete high – totally energized, ready to ‘do’ and ready to ‘be.’

But do you want to know a secret?

I remember every single one of you hundreds of people who came out to these events and stopped by our booth to receive a sample of our delicious Faux Chicken Salad and Sour Cream and Onion Kale Chips.  Yes, YOU, the couple who won the Excalibur dehydrator looking for the first clue on how to use it…and YOU, who ate tofu for the first time in your life last night and loved it…and YOU, who has been free of ocular migraines since going gluten-free a year ago…and YOU, who doesn’t even miss cheese after becoming a vegan…and even YOU, who turned your nose up at our organic, vegan fare.  (We love you.)  I have this bizarre ability to recall names (Brian once likened me to an elephant, who evidently have good memories…the analogy still didn’t go over very well).  I loved meeting YOU, our customers of past and present who stopped by to say hello.

We were in the presence of greatness, not because of the people and accomplishments of those up on stage.  It was because of YOU, your courage, your passion, your gratitude, your failures, your forgiveness, your energy, your stories, your LOVE.  I believe in the power of “Being Present” and I often put it on my daily list of things to do, right between doing laundry and picking up the kids from school.  (Forgive me for my left brain knows not what else to do…)  These past two days, I have been more present in each encounter, soaked in this experience, and witnessed what is available in each moment that was shared with all of you.  Nothing short of a miracle.

There are times when Brian and I get hung up on believing that we are in the food business.  Don't get me wrong ~ our chefs make exceptional food!  But we are in the people business.  Thank you for allowing us to serve you and come into your homes and onto your dinner tables each week.

Who Moved My Cow?

Are You Wondering Who Moved Your Cheese?  Or rather, who moved your cow and replaced it with this? 

In his 1998 book, Who Moved My Cheese, Dr. Spencer Johnson features four creatures in search of "cheese," a metaphor for happiness and success.  Moo-ving with the cheese is about anticipating and adapting to (yikes) change. You know those habits, behaviors, labels, beliefs, and accusations you make about "those people" who vote 'this' way, work 'there,' belong to 'it,' and eat 'that' kind of food?  You never know when this cow will look so darn good that you'll be ordering the leanest cut of his veggie rump.  You (or friends you know - wink) may be popping $0.87 Totino's pizzas in the oven tonight, having date night at Chick-Fil-A, or baking your loved one a 2-dozen-egg-5-package-sour-cream cheesecake for her birthday.  We know.  We've been there before too.  We've moved physical addresses 6 times in 9 years of marriage.  But we've moved a hundred times to find our cheese, and in this case, our 'tapioca flour, pea protein, coconut oil' cheese.  

"If you don't like how things are, change it!  You're not a tree."~ Jim Rohn

5 Ways to Use Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is one of the only non-animal sources of Vitamin B-12 (and it only takes 1/2 - 1 tbsp to get in your recommended daily dose)!  Nutritional yeast is also an excellent source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, chromium, and other minerals as well as 18 amino acids, protein, folic acid, biotin, and other vitamins. OH, and it tastes DELICIOUS!  For you non-dairy eaters who are missing that cheesy flavor, give this a whirl.

Check out these 5 ways to use nutritional yeast to upgrade your meals!

1.  Sprinkle onto some plain popcorn for a cheesy touch.

2.  Use in place of cheese on a home-made pizza (or on top of our Socca Pizza Bake from this week).

3.  Saute' veggies and give a few shakes of nutritional yeast (especially on some of those less palatable greens!).

4.  Use in place of bread crumbs on any recipe to cut out the gluten/carbs.

5.  Mix in with your mashed potatoes (or our Buttery Mashed Cauliflower).