ME = Meat Free Monday

Well Monday's roll around so fast.  Here are more delectable Meat free Monday and Meat free in May recipes for you and your family to try.  The first one I created one day out of desperation and hunger.  Two very fitting motivations.

#1 Deviled avocados for Breakfast or for a snack

(No actual recipe photo available yet, this one is courtesy of www.veer.com)

I created this recipe due to only having avocados one morning when I woke up remembering that I had still not gone food shopping. One large avocado per person.  Peel and pit a large ripe avocado, with a fork slightly mush the 'meat' in a bowl, sprinkle Sea Salt and Cayenne pepper to taste.  I like a pinch of each.  And add a tea spoon of Agave nectar [for a little sweetness but not necessary]. Mince one garlic bulb and mush some more.  Do not mush or blend into a creamy consistency, leave lumpy [avocado chucks] dollop onto whole wheat crackers, into the skin half or eat right out of the bowl.  I prefer organic products [avocados, pepper and garlic] and crackers without many chemicals or additives.

Health benefits.  Avocados add a tasty twist to your meals, and a 1-ounce serving of fresh avocados contains 0mg of cholesterol, 0mg of sodium and 0.5g saturated fat. See the chart for how avocados compare as a substitute on sandwiches, toast and in place of other popular foods.  Sea Salt - here is research that I attained from health benefit of water (dot) com.  There are benefits and warnings so read with caution and always consult your health care provider regarding your intake.

Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD, the author of "You are not sick, you're thirsty!" explains that salt has many other important functions than just regulating the water content of the body. Here are only a few of it's invaluable benefits:

• First, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD explains that salt is not bad for you. It does not raise the blood pressure. It is the insufficiency of other minerals that normally hold on to and keep water inside the cells that causes a rise in blood pressure. Given in conjunction with other minerals, salt will actually lower blood pressure to normal levels.
• Salt can be very effective in stabilizing irregular heartbeats and, contrary to the misconception that it causes high blood pressure (in conjunction with water and the other essential minerals).
  - One or two glasses of water with a little salt will quickly and efficiently quiet the racing and "thumping" heart and, in the long run, will reduce the blood pressure.- Talk with your doctor about the right balance of water and salt for your diet.
• Salt is a strong antihistamine.- It can be used to release asthma. Put it on the tongue after drinking a glass or two of water. It is as effective as an inhaler, without the toxicity.
  - it can also stop persistent dry cough and clear the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, particularly in asthma, emphysema and cystic fibrosis sufferers.
  - Salt is a strong antiseptic
• Salt is vital for extracting excess acidity from inside the cells, particularly the brain cells.- if you don't want Alzheimer's disease, don't go salt-free and don't let them put you on diuretic medications for long!
• Salt is vital for the kidneys to clear excess acidity and pass the acidity to the urine. Without it the body will become more and more acidic.
• Salt is a strong anti stress element for the body. It is essential in the treatment of emotional and effective disorders.
  - Lithium is a salt substitute that is used in the treatment of depression.
  - It also essential for preserving the serotonin, melatonin and tryptamine levels in the brain - essential antidepressant neurotransmitters.
• Dr. F. Batmanghelidj MD also believes that salt is vital for the prevention and treatment of the cancer. Cancer cells - he explains- cannot leave in an oxygenated environment. When the body is well hydrated and salt expends the volume of blood circulation to reach all parts of the body, the oxygen and active immune cells in the blood reach the cancerous tissue and destroy it.
• Salt is also important for sleep regulation - it is a natural hypnotic
  - If you drink a full glass of water, then put a few grains of salt on your tongue and let it stay there, you will fall into a natural, deep sleep.
• Salt is a vitally needed element for diabetics.
  - It helps balance the sugar levels in the blood and reduces the need of insulin.

*Warning! At the same time you must not overdo on salt. Always make sure you drink enough water to wash out the excess of salt.
As a rule of thumb, per day you need about 3-4 grams for every 10 glasses of water. An easier calculation is a quarter teaspoon of salt per quart of water.
Consult your doctor to determine the correct balance of salt and water for your diet!


#2 Napa Cabbage Salad - courtesy of all recipes (dot) com
Serves 6
Review - "This is a yummy, crunchy cabbage salad with toasted ramen noodles and almond slivers. The bowl is always licked clean at potlucks!"

Ingredients

• 1 head napa cabbage
• 1 bunch minced green onions
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, broken
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions

1. Finely shred the head of cabbage; do not chop. Combine the green onions and cabbage in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Make the crunchies: Melt the butter in a pot. Mix the ramen noodles, sesame seeds and almonds into the pot with the melted butter. Spoon the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake the crunchies in the preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven, turning often to make sure they do not burn. When they are browned remove them from the oven.
4. Make the dressing: In a small saucepan, heat vinegar, oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, let boil for 1 minute. Remove the pan from heat and let cool.
5. Combine dressing, crunchies, and cabbage immediately before serving. Serve right away or the crunchies will get soggy.