Tag Archives: healthy

01Aug/16

Fresh Veggies, Yes Please….

Who doesn’t love nice, crisp, fresh veggies?  How about a quick and easy meal?  Well, if these describe you, then I am going to suggest you make a nice stir fry for dinner. Not only is it quick and easy, but it is very fresh and delicious.  This is one of those meals where you can use whatever veggies you love.  I make this meal all the time because I truly love how easy it is, but I also really love all the fresh veggies I get to eat.  In this version, I used: broccoli, red pepper, onion, carrot, green beans, brussels sprouts and sugar snap peas.Saute all of the veggies in a wok with a little coconut oil and sesame oil.  Cook until just heated through but still very crisp, remove from pan. Add in sliced meat/protein of choice and start to cook.  Stir often, and after just a few minutes, add in the stir fry sauce.  In my stir fry sauce, I typically mix up the following in my NutriBullet, all to taste:  coconut aminos, chicken broth, corn starch, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic.  Let the meat gently simmer in the sauce for a few minutes, as this will help it to thicken, then add all of the veggies back to the pan.  Adjust the sauce and cook until meat and veggies are cooked to your desire doneness.  I prefer my veggies to be very crisp, so I do not cook much longer.Plate, and top off with some sliced green onions.  Enjoy!!

 

27Jul/16

Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles…

Mmmmm.  I love anything pumpkin, and if you are the same, this is a recipe that will not disappoint.  I have made this for gluten lovers, and they enjoy it just as much, if not more than their normal waffles.  I have even made them before by adding some leftover mashed sweet potatoes, and they are equally as yummy.   When I make them, I typically add a generous amount of pumpkin pie spice and also put less maple syrup in the batter, but for you sweet tooths, you will probably enjoy the recipe as is.  Top it off with your favorite ingredients, but I love fresh fruit and a little drizzle of maple syrup. Check out the recipe below or where I found on Fit Foodie Finds and let me know if you too agree that they are the ‘Best Ever Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles.’

Ingredients
Wet:
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1 Tbsp coconut oil, room temperature
2 Tbsp maple syrup
splash of vanilla
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Dry:
1.5 cups gluten free all-purpose flour
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:
1.  Preheat waffle iron to medium
2.  In a large bowl mix together the wet ingredients (I do this in the tall NutriBullet cup).
3.  Then add in the dry ingredients and stir until combined (I also add this to the NutriBullet cup).
4.  Pour the desired amount of batter into non-stick waffle maker and cook until done (Makes about 4 large waffles).

 

23Jul/16

Everyone Should Spiralize…

Several weeks ago, while visiting with my sister, I noticed she had a spiralizer in her drawer.  I’ve been hearing all the craze about this new gadget, and have always been wanting to try it out.  I mean why not?  Using different veggies instead of pasta, it fits right into my eating style.  And on top of that the options and ways to prep seemed endless in my mind.   Thus, I was inspired to go on one of my favorite sites, Amazon, where I did a bunch of research before finally deciding on one to buy.  After sorting through many different options, I narrowed it down and purchased this one from DEMKO.  I have already used it many times, and have not been disappointed one bit.  For instance, I threw together a delicious lunch in under 5 minutes:  I spiralized a small sweet potato, heated up some leftover Greek Marinated Chicken and diced it up, tossed on some leftover homemade slaw and topped it with some peanut sauce and cilantro (pictured).  It was the simplest of meals, but very tasty. Even if you do not consider yourself a good cook, I think this may be the way to prepare meals for you.  I don’t even normally cook my veggies, because I prefer them nice and crisp, but you could get a little more fancy and saute them up in a pan with a little garlic and oil and spices.  Honestly, I think this is a great idea for someone looking to be a little creative with meals, because you can almost throw anything together and make a meal of it. Another delicious spiralized meal I’ve made with the Cultivating Cooking Queens is Mediterranean Zucchini Noodles.  The spiralizer is so quick and easy to use and clean, you may want to consider getting one.  I cannot wait to experiment with other veggies. Go out and see what you think, and as always, eat well and be merry!

27Jun/16
Energy Balls

Have You Ever Read A Label…

Have you ever picked up an item in the grocery store and carefully read the ingredients and nutrition label?  If not, I strongly suggest you do, as you will be absolutely amazed at what is in some of the products.  I’m not just talking about what the items listed are (many of which you cannot say or recognize), but I’m talking about the sheer amount of unnecessary items listed.  Why do there need to be 15 items listed on a carton of almond milk, when I can make the same thing with 4-5 ingredients, and enjoy the flavor much more.  And the best part of it all, you have the leftover meal to dry out and grind up as almond flour, which can then be used to bake up all kinds of healthy, gluten free treats.   So, not only does it taste better, but I am saving money as well.  Unfortunately, there are occasions where I do not have the time or energy to make my own, and when that is the case, I look for the brand with the fewest ingredients on the label.  They say that you should do most of your shopping in the outskirts of the grocery store, as that is where the least processed foods can be found.  If you think about it, isn’t that where all of your fruits and vegetables are located?  Have you also ever noticed that once you delve into the depths of the aisles, some of the worst items are those located right at your eye level.  It’s like they are targeting you to buy the bad stuff. Oftentimes you have to really search hard to find something that is somewhat okay to eat. A few months ago, I needed to buy some pasta sauce.  Not all grocery stores have the same options, but most tend to have a wide variety of some sort.  I probably looked like I had been shopping for the first time (luckily, not many people were around).  If someone would have been there watching me, as I stood in the same spot for 15 minutes (or at least it felt like that), repeatedly picking up and putting down jars of sauce as I carefully studied the ingredients, they probably would felt the need to offer me some help.  I was trying hard to find one with minimal ingredients that shouldn’t be there, but mostly no added sugar.  Every one I picked up had some added sugar, so then the task became to see which one was the lesser of two evils.  Once again, I picked up all the ones that were still in the hunt, to then compare and finally decide on one that wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but was the closest to what I was willing to deal with for that night.  If I would have just made my own, I would not have been faced with such a dilemma.  So, I am going to encourage you to think a little harder about what you are buying at the store.  Take the time to read the labels; I read the labels on every item I pick up to buy. See what ingredients are actually in the product, many of which do not really need to be there.  Check how much unnecessary sugar and sodium is in the food; you will be shocked by how much of these two items you consume daily without even knowing.  Ask yourself,  is this something that I can make on my own with a little time and effort? Or, another really great option is to frequent a local farmer’s market, where you will be able to find all kinds of great, fresh products, and support your local farmers and community at the same time.  Check out some great items below that I have made from scratch with fresh ingredients.  Meals from fresh ingredients not only taste great, but are better for you.  You will feel so accomplished after you make a fresh, healthy meal or snack, and the best part is, you then get to enjoy the great flavor of all your hard work!