JANUARY 2025 42 T he start of a new year often brings a surge of motivation to make healthier choices. This January, why not focus on going back to basics with food? By simplifying your approach to meals and reducing processed foods, you can set a strong foundation for lasting wellness. Processed foods are convenient, but are loaded with added sugars, toxic food additives, and excessive sodium. Try to select foods that are grown in the earth or minimally processed. Look at food labels and go for foods with five ingredients or less, without added sugar or chemicals you can’t pronounce. Preparing meals from scratch allows you to control what goes into your food. Start small by mastering a few easy recipes, like a hearty soup, a grain bowl with roasted vegetables, or a quick sheet pan meal. By focusing on whole foods and home cooking, you can make the transition to a simpler, healthier lifestyle. Let this be the year you nourish your body with intention, create habits that support your well-being and make you feel your best! Join my monthly membership for printable recipes, health videos and live Zoom cooking classes. Only $10 a month! Recipes to help kick start those resolutions Tortilla soup SERVES 6-8 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. Put one tbsp. of oil into a large stock pot and bring heat to medium-high. Add the onion, red pepper, jalapeno and garlic. Cook for five minutes, stirring frequently. 3. Add broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. 4. Bring to a boil then lower to simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. 5. Slice four of the tortillas into two-inch by two-inch pieces (to go in the soup). Slice the remaining four tortillas into ¼-inch by two-inch thin strips (for topping). 6. Toss the strips with the remaining two tsp. of oil and ¼ tsp. salt. Lay these out on a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes, flipping halfway. 7. After the soup has simmered for 30 minutes, add the cilantro, corn, lime juice, and the two-inch tortilla squares. Stir to combine. 8. Top with the toasted strips, sliced avocado and any other toppings. • 1 diced onion • 1 diced red pepper • 1 diced jalapeno (seeds discarded) • 4 cloves minced garlic • ½ bunch chopped cilantro • 1 tbsp. + 2 tsp. olive or avocado oil, divided • 4 cups vegetable broth • 1 (28 oz.) can fire-roasted tomatoes (undrained) • 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained • 2 tsp. each: chili powder, cumin • 1 ¼ tsp. salt, divided • ½ tsp. pepper • 1 cup frozen organic corn • Juice of one lime • 8 six-inch corn tortillas • 1 avocado for topping • Optional: red onion, dairy-free cheese, dairy-free sour cream Directions Ingredients Cranberry mocktail SERVES 5-6 • 3 cups cranberry juice • ½-1 cup orange juice • 1 can LaCroix or soda water • ½ cup frozen cranberries • ½ diced apple • 3 orange slices, cut into small triangles • Basil leaves for garnish 1. Add the cranberry juice, orange juice and seltzer to a pitcher. 2. Now add the frozen cranberries, apples and orange slices. 3. Pour over ice, add a basil leaf and serve. Mushroom pizza SERVES 10 Directions Ingredients 1. Preheat oven to 450F. 2. Add flour to a cutting board and roll out dough to a 12” circle. 3. Spray a pizza pan with cooking spray and transfer dough to the pan. 4. Spread out some sauce and the pourable cheese. Top with mushrooms. 5. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges are brown and the cheese sets. 6. Top with fresh basil and cut into eight slices. • 1 ball refrigerated pizza dough (left out for one hour so it’s room temperature) • 1 box mushrooms, sliced • Pizza sauce • ½ cup Miyoko’s pourable mozzarella (available in the non-dairy cheese section) • Fresh basil for topping Directions Ingredients Owner of YouCare- SelfCare, a private wellness practice specializing in plant- based lifestyle and disease prevention. youcare-selfcare.com BY MIRIAM HAHN
Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF ST Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYL Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE Mon-Thurs 8:30-5p.m. | Fri 8:30-4p.m. | Sat 9-2p.m. | ROC#179513 4454 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.508.0800 liwindow.com INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIVING A TREND THAT’S NEVER OUT OF STYLE