ATV's Smokey Marinade

My garden is growing (more on that later plus a killer recipe!!), my herbs are growing and even our ladybug larvae and butterflies are growing. Yes we are raising ladybugs and butterflies, again. Years ago we had quite the butterfly habitat set up in our front and back yards. We also had ordered ladybugs and released them in the yard, hoping they would stay around--but they didn't. We were raising Monarchs. I really enjoyed that and miss it greatly. It is time to replant and get back to raising butterflies in a serious way. What a wonderful science lesson for the kids and so symbolic of what is to come on Easter Sunday; when we celebrate the Risen Christ. New life symbolized in a simple act of raising insects, respecting life in all forms, growing your own living foods, all become learning experiences and make me appreciate just how fragile and special living things and creatures truly are. (Right as I'm typing this our oldest child says, "Mom, look we have two adult ladybugs!!)  
Here are some of the kids helping me get the habitat set up.

The Day the Larvae Arrived

Ladybug Larvae Tube

Baby Caterpillars

Look how happy EJ junior is!! Too cute. He was so excited to get everything all set up. Just think how much they are going to freak out when they see the butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and see the ladybug larvae turn into identifiable, spotted ladybugs! I can hardly wait.
Well on to some food talk. A few weeks ago I made the most amazing marinade recipe from Addicted to Veggies blog. You can see ATV's complete post and recipe here.

This is one of those recipes that tempt me to lick my plate!! Seriously good, raw food!

Here is my version:

Vegetables

Organic broccoli, peeled stems and all

Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced

Marinade:

Scallions, sliced into rounds

1/4 C Coconut Aminos

1/4 C Grapeseed oil

1/3 C water

squirt of raw agave

fresh lemon juice

2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

pinch of Himalayan salt

pinch of Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning

5 drops of liquid smoke

Put all of the marinade ingredients into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Pour over the broccoli and mushrooms. Allow to marinate overnight.

Warm the marinated vegetables in the dehydrator for 4-6 hours.

Top with fresh sunflower greens and raw sesame seeds. Enjoy!

I actually started eating this right off the Teflex dehydrator sheet but decided to plate it and sit down at the table and eat it properly--tempted to lick my plate clean, but I refrained.

+JMJ+ Today I am grateful for my simple meals this week and my growing garden!!