White Chocolate Ginger Cookies

(chewy cookies with a ginger kick)
makes 2 dozen big/over indulged cookies
makes 4 dozen smaller/less decadent cookies


INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, can substitute vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (we suggest using a microplane)
• 11 ounces white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, salt and baking soda.
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until fully combined. Add in the vanilla paste and ginger, mixing until just combined. Gradually add in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time. Add the white chocolate chips.
3. Drop by the heaping tablespoon full onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly golden (12-15 minutes), cookies will appear still slightly soft in the middle, but will set up firmly as they cool.  (Note: For smaller less decadent cookies use a teaspoon measure and bake for 8-10 minutes). Using a spatula, remove cookies from the parchment to cool. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough.

Recipe from Terra's Kitchen.

Non-Dairy Dessert Ideas from Califia

There is a rising trend of Americans opting for plant-based, non-dairy products for varied reasons – whether they are lactose-intolerant, prefer the taste or want to eat fewer animal-based products. According to a recent Mintel report, sales of non-dairy milk were up 93.8% from 2009 to 2014.  Plant-based dairy now accounts for 20% of dairy case sales and is growing rapidly. And many of these consumers are not just drinking plant-based milk, they are also cooking with it.

Califia Farms, the fastest-growing natural beverage company, is making summer sweeter for lactose-intolerant and dairy-free ice cream lovers with specially-formulated, plant-powered, dairy-free frozen dessert recipes. From cinnamon vanilla milkshakes to coconut vegan ice cream, Califia Farms’ easy-to-make summer cool-down recipes promise to deliver great taste and refreshment to the millions who choose to go dairy free.

The cool and refreshing recipes that can be found on www.califiafarms.com include:

• Mango Chili Lime Sorbet made with Califia Farms Mango Chili Lime Agua Fresca
• Coconut Vegan ‘Ice Cream’ made with Califia Farms Vanilla Coconut Horchata
• Mocha Mexica Paletas made with Califia Farms Mocha Mexica Coffee
• Creamy Cinnamon Vanilla ‘Milkshakes’ made with Califia Farms Classic Cinnamon Horchata

To read more about these delicious recipes and Califia Farms, scroll down or click here: http://www.califiafarms.com/press-releases/dairy-free-desserts

Crispy Green: A Healthy Snack That Travels Well

A Healthy Snack That Travels Well

 A Natural, No-Mess, Lightweight, Low Calorie Treat for Anyone on the Move

Fairfield, N.J. – March 9, 2015 – When a snack attack hits for people and families on the go, Crispy Fruit from Crispy Green® – the 100% pure, healthy, lightweight and no-mess solution to snacking – is ideal for everyone in motion, from kids to business travelers, outdoor enthusiasts to moms and even the daily commuter. A smart and lightweight snack option, Crispy Fruit is simply 100% pure fruit, freeze-dried to perfection, resulting in a light, crispy texture for maximum taste and no mess.

Available in a wide variety of flavors including Tangerine, Apple, Asian Pear, Banana, Cantaloupe, Mango and Pineapple, Crispy Fruit comes packaged in individual, single-serving packets ideal for popping into backpacks, briefcases, travel bags, overnight totes and purses. Crispy Green pouches are even TSA-friendly, making for the perfect in-flight snack.

The entire line of Crispy Fruit is Non-GMO Project Verified and available in a convenient "Grab & Go" 6-pack (MSRP: $7.99) or individual, single-serving bags (MSRP: $1.49 each). Each bag provides approximately one essential serving of fruit at only 55 calories or less per bag.

Crispy Fruit is available online and in fine retailers such as The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, ShopRite, Giant Eagle Market District, Earth Fare, Ahold, Schnucks, Dierbergs Markets, King Kullen, Safeway and selected Whole Foods Markets. Locate a Crispy Fruit retailer nearest you at www.crispygreen.com/where-to-buy.html. To learn more about Crispy Green, please visit www.crispygreen.com.
 

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Olive oil: the key to curing cancer?

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), long-known for its heart health benefits, has now been identified for its rapid destruction of cancer cells. While scientists have proven that the oleocanthal compound found in EVOO causes cell death in cancer cells, they have been unable to provide an explanation for this phenomenon until now. Paul Breslin, David Foster, and Onica LeGendre offer answers in their paper "(-)-Oleocanthal Rapidly and Selectively Induces Cancer Cell Death Via Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization (LMP)," published in Molecular & Cellular Oncology.

In their recent study, the researchers discovered that the key to understanding the toxic effect of oleocantha in cancerous cells lies in its reaction with the lysosomes of the cell, where the cells store waste: the oleocantha ruptures the cancer cell lysosomes causing cell death within 30 minutes to an hour while leaving un-cancerous cells unharmed. This suggests that the lysosomal membranes of cancerous cells are weaker than those of uncancerous cells. Because of oleocantha’s targeted damage to cancer cells, it may prove an ideal option for therapeutic cancer treatment. Paul Breslin, co-author of the study, said, "The mechanism of killing cancer cells and sparing healthy cells, lysosomal membrane permeabilization, has been hypothesized as a possible mechanism of effectively killing cancer cells and sparing healthy tissues but has never been realized before. Our realization of this makes this paper of particular therapeutic interest for cancer treatment."

The study’s focus on the effect of oleocantha on cancerous and un-cancerous cells leads to larger implications about the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in EVOO. Breslin stated, “the Mediterranean diet is known to be associated with a reduced risk of many different kinds of cancer. Whereas the entire diet likely has many benefits, this study points directly to the olive oil phenolic, oleocanthal, as playing an especially important role in these observations. As more people turn to the Mediterranean diet as a healthy life option, oleocanthal is growing in its significance as a key active component of this diet.

"(-)-Oleocanthal Rapidly and Selectively Induces Cancer Cell Death Via Lysosomal Membrane Permeabilization (LMP)," is free to access for a limited time on the journal’s website.

* Read the full article online: http://www.tandfonline.com......
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