Important Pantry Staple

Hello everyone! I hope each one of you are doing amazing and having a fabulous Tuesday!

We all have our certain staple pantry items. You know, the ones you feel like you simply could not live without. In my household, we have quite a few of these, but the one I am going to spotlight today is organic coconut oil.

Oh coconut oil, how we love you and ALL of the yumminess and health benefits you give us. We love you for being the perfect baking and cooking substitute for butter. You improve our bodies ability to absorb nutrients critical for strong bones. You give us silky locks, while protecting our heart and liver. You make our skin glow, while boosting our metabolism. You are simply amazing!

The other day I was in a local health food store and found coconut oil infused with garlic. Holy moly was I excited. I grabbed that bad boy and tucked him gently into my shopping cart. In my mind, I started to think of all the cooking to be done. I knew it would taste divine to stir-fry beautiful vegetables in, so that is what is for dinner tonight.

I had fresh green beans, zucchini, eggplant and quinoa to be used. While my skillet was slowly heating on my stovetop, I washed all my vegetables, cut them up and threw them in. I topped them off with a spoonful of this amazing smelling garlic coconut oil, turmeric powder (black pepper to increase the health benefits of the turmeric) and garlic powder. Yes, more garlic, I LOVE garlic. :)

For about 12 minutes, I stirred everything together letting all the flavors come together. My kitchen smelled amazing. My dogs were at my feet with their noses in the air wondering what deliciousness their mom was cooking. If you were wondering, yes, I did give them each a fresh green bean. They love their green beans and I can not resist those eyes looking at me to say no.

The end product was this:

If you are looking for a quick healthy dinner, vegetable stir-frys are great! You can pack them full of whatever vegetables you like making the combinations endless. They are very filling and simply delicious. The best part is you can make extras and have leftovers ready to go for the next few days.

What are some of your staple pantry items? I would LOVE to hear them.

Until next time, have a blessed day!
Jessica

Loving 2015

Hello everyone! I hope each one of you are doing amazing!

As some of you know, I own an organic cold pressed juice shop in Fort Smith, Arkansas called Carrot Dirt. Carrot Dirt has had some big changes over the past few weeks. For one, we moved into a NEW location and are so blessed to be there. The move has been absolutely amazing! I believe everything happens for a reason and this move was one of them.

We are now able to offer more salads, veggie sandwiches, fruit cups, hummus cups, raw treats, etc. The response to the move has been overwhelming. We LOVE LOVE LOVE all of our customers (new and  old-timers ;) ) They will never fully understand how much we APPRECIATE them and all of their support they give us.

Fort Smith had their first Marathon this last February and we had the pleasure to have a table at the race.

Carrot Dirt at 2015 FS Marathon

We offered runners fresh wheatgrass shots and juice after their hard runs. It was a hit and we were happy to put much needed nutrients back into their worn out and stressed bodies. 

Lindsey and I at the finish line with fresh wheatgrass shots! 

We now have an OFFICIAL sign on our new location :) You know we are "legit" since we have a sign!

Salads are made fresh daily with different delicious ingredients 

Juice made daily containing 2-4 pounds of produce per bottle

Carrot Dirt is my dream and seeing it unfold and grow makes my heart so happy. Words can not express how I feel each day making juice, nut milks and healthy foods for my community to have the opportunity to enjoy. Every bottle of juice/nut milk, every smoothie, every salad, every sandwich and every other goodie that is available was made with LOVE and passion--passion for health! 

Our health is the most important thing we have and sadly we all take it for granted. Make sure you do something for your health today! Go for walk, meditate, play tennis, read a relaxing book and do not forget-- drink plenty of juice! Organic cold pressed juice :) your body will absorb all the nutrients and will thank you for it. 

On a different note, what is everyone having for dinner? I have some beautiful green beans, zucchini, tomatillos and eggplant to use. I am thinking a veggie stir-fry. Yum!! 

Until next time, have an amazing day!!!

JP