Powell - Recipes for Magnificent Living: Friends, Food and Philosophy

Copyright 2014 by Carl Powell

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any means without written permissionfrom the author.

This Book Is Dedicated To:My Magnificent family of friends. You all have taught me,empowered me, loved me, and are always there for me.

My clients, who allow me to do what I love every singleday. You have all added so much love and laughter to my days.

My Earth Mothers, Gloria Keeling, Carol Migden, MikkiWilliams, Mary Aldridge, Leora Meyers , and all the strongwomenIhavebeenblessedtohavemetalongmymagnificent journey. You have given me so much guidanceand love.

My family for always supporting me, even though you think I am off my rocker.All of you who took time out of your busy life to send usrecipes, thank you!

My graphic artist, thank you Fiverr.Thank you, Hagi Bastian!
My friends Dona and
Paul Kirkpatrick, this
book would have
never been possible
without you.

And my Mom for always allowing me to soar.Table of Contents

Foreword ........................................................................ 7
Introduction ................................................................... 9
Friendship .................................................................... 12
Mikkis Bio .................................................................. 13
Appetizers .................................................................... 16
Soup & Salad ................................................................ 22
Sides ............................................................................. 38
Entres ......................................................................... 56
Pizza and Pasta ............................................................ 74
Family Favorites ......................................................... 88
Carl and Donas Favorites ......................................... 102
Juice Bar .................................................................... 118
Desserts and Other Fun Stuff ..................................... 122
Tips, Tricks and Hints ............................................... 152
About the Author ....................................................... 161

Foreword

When my dear friend and colleague Carl Powell asked me to writethis I immediately thought of my own emotional connection to goodfood eaten in good company. Carl and I share a delicious chemistry of spirituality, creativity, innovation, humor and the love of helping others through conscious awareness, fitness and nutrition. As you browse the scrumptious recipes that grace the pages of this book, Iencourage you to try them when you are in a pleasant state of mind.

Concerned about the fat, sodium, or sugar? Trust that when you cravea certain food and you consume it, your body must need somethingfrom it depending on your relationship to that particular food. There isnothing wrong with a little entertainment for the mouth every nowand then.

Be mindful, here are a few tips to make the most of your eatingexperience:

Relax: Consider the fact that when you are relaxed and eating a meal,this actually aids the digestive process. When tense and stressed, itcomplicates the process.

Eat slow, chew your food well: Masticating the food slowly allowsthe saliva which contains enzymes to break down the food better.Put your fork down after a few bites:
Drink before or after but not during a meal: Drinking liquids whileeating solid food interferes with the digestive process.Be Present: Allow your taste buds to take in the full flavor.Do not prepare food when you are upset: (the energy goes into thefood)When you feel full...STOP eating: No need to over eat.

Since eating is such an important emotional experience, why notgather a few friends or family and embrace our connection to food by sharing this book?

In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and the sharingof pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed

- Khalil GibranEnjoy!Alexis Scott, CHHCReal Food For The SoulRecipes for Magnificent Living

I have to say that writing a cookbook is one of the last things that Ithought I would ever do. The majority of eating I do is for the fuel mybody needs to operate and function properly throughout my day. Forthis reason my daily diet consist of mostly single ingredient foodssuch as an apple, an egg, a banana or nuts.

My life has been comprised of many steps that have taken me on amagnificent journey down a road of constant evolution. I am in no way shape or form saying I am a nutritionist, I am a self-proclaimed foodie!

At 16 years old I weighed a little over 200 pounds and simply got tired of being the fat kid. I had no idea of how to lose weight intelligently, so I did the only thing I knew would work. I starvedmyself and started running wrapped in plastic garbage bags. Notsmart but luckily my young body could handle that and I lost 80 pounds.

At age 18, I was still starving myself and kept those pounds off withdiet pills until I met Molly Fox in San Francisco. After one of heraerobics classes, I was hooked!

Within a year I started my fitness career working as an aerobicsinstructor.

I tend to plan my grazing through the day and plan one solid "happy"meal each day. Remember how a Happy Meal made you feel fromyour childhood? My happy meal is when I get the opportunity to sitdown and enjoy my meal and my moment. You should be presentwhen you open your mouth to eat.

This book is for of all my clients and friends who constantly ask me what they should eat. My answer always is to eat what makes youhappy, and watch your portions. I would much rather eat a smalleramount of something I love than eat a ton of grass.

Food, Friendship and Philosophy

This book is a celebration of Good food, Great friends, andMagnificent Living. I have prepared these pages to honor andcelebrate the magnificent people I have the honor to call my friends.

It all started with a squash casserole. Dona, one of my clients, wastelling me about her garden. Her goal for working out was so she could be better in her garden. Each workout our conversation wouldwander into garden talk.

The next time she came in she brought me a dish that she hadprepared from her harvest. It was a delightful, full of fat squashcasserole. I must say it was awesome. I took some to my Mom andshe loved it. Mom ask me if I would get the recipe, not so she couldmake it....but so I could make it for her. So I asked Dona if she wouldshare with me.

What I got in return was the catalyst for creating this cookbook. Onher next visit Dona brought me a cookbook that she had made withher friend Barbara, who had passed away from a terminal illness. Thepremise of the book was to capture family favorites so they wouldhave her recipes when she was gone.

I took the book home and started reading through the pages. I justloved how much love had been poured into the pages before me. It made me think of all of the friends I have, and all of the wonderfulmeals that I had shared with them. I reflected on all of the fantasticconversations that I have had at the dinner table with the people Ilove. That was my foodie Ah-Ha moment.