Tuesday, 21 April 2015

Quick Pho

Holla I am back again to post a budget friendly + super yummy pho recipe. Another good thing about this , is the ingredients you buy for it will last a long time to keep in the pantry. So if you have the sniffles and want a light yet hearty meal, this is the good stuff to cure what ails you. Pure comfort food , but also healthy! I found this in the drafts section of my blog from two months ago and thought I should post it for those of you who have a pho craving.



http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=what+the+pho&view=detailv2&&&id=9CE1AF5BBFB9AB53CA9C80CC875B3E0AB399360E&selectedIndex=21&ccid=rhxFvnGG&simid=608023771713965990&thid=JN.YSbGg%2fckaWerhz98eBucBQ&ajaxhist=0



Ingredients:
Shaved frozen meat I.e. steak or pork (can be found in the frozen aisle in Superstore, in a clear plastic container. If you can't find it, just fry up a steak and slice it thinly and add to your pho.)
1-2 Chicken/beef stock/cubes
2 Cinnamon sticks
2 Star anise (can be found in the spices aisle)
1/2 Sweet onion
Bunch fresh basil
2 Limes
Hoisin sauce
Sriracha sauce
1 pkg vermicelli noodles





Method:

In a medium sized pot, drizzle in some olive oil and turn up to medium heat.
Add onions sauté until caramelized, add the cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Then add chicken/beef stock (if you're using cubes, sauté with onion until it is caramelized then add in about 4 cups of water).

Bring the mixture to a boil, and add the vermicelli noodles. Cook for 1-2 minutes more, then pick out the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Add in the frozen shaved steak, and transfer to a bowl.

Top with a bunch of fresh basil leaves, squeeze some lime into it, and drizzle with hoisin and sriracha sauce.
My sister gave me that book for my birthday, I've been reading it for a few days. I love it!



There you have it, the fastest pho recipe out there and just as tasty. Let me know in the comment section below what you think of it!



-Little&Simple







My day 2 experience: 3 day juice cleanse


Paddle boarding in Deep Cove yesterday.





It's day two and I'm going insane.

My alarm went off this morning probably 10 times and I shut it off every single time, thinking "5 more minutes, and I will get ready and go pick up my second days worth of grass water". Yeah I had to book it over there this morning to pick them up. 10 minutes before 8, I quickly threw on some clothes and forgot to put on any makeup to make myself look put together and decent whilst picking up my trendy juices. Sunglasses would suffice. As I was driving there I stumbled upon the Mexican radio station and blared it in my car and to be honest I had no idea what they were saying. But it was awesome and I think I found my favourite new radio station. I would rather listen to a rambling radio DJ in Spanish than in English, because either way I'm not really paying attention and Spanish sounds way better.
I got there and returned my six glass mason jars that they gave me yesterday morning, and when I arrived they had all the juices ready to go for me. It was a quick 30 second pickup, thank god because all I wanted was to crawl back into bed and sleep for the remainder of this cleanse.

So if you're wondering what will happen to your body when you do a juice cleanse, let me fill you in. Don't do it. Ever. Just eat healthy and you won't need to do the cleanse. I thought this would be a wonderful experience where I would feel energized and happy and my pimples would disappear and I would be a totally new person in 3 days. So far all I have to show is a bitchy mood, constant hunger, and I can't even string a sentence together straight. Oh and the dreams, I had such vivid dreams last night. I am going to make a list of pros and cons for any of you who are thinking of doing a cleanse, of course it probably would have helped if I prepared to do it and didn't gorge myself with jalapeno cheese bread the day before. Yeah, I wouldn't recommend doing that either.




I have also been drinking coconut water for extra potassium.


So I'm going to go with the pros first, let me think long and hard about this one...

1. It feels good to get in all the veggies + way more than you would need in a day
2. I feel very hydrated
3. I feel lighter already, I think I pooped out 3 lbs
4. I had brief moments of clarity and happiness
5. For about 10 minutes yesterday I had energy
6. While doing this cleanse it has given me extra time to plan my schedule out



Here are the cons.
1. I have to pee every 5 minutes
2. I have to do the other thing every 30 minutes, or I keep thinking I do and then nothing happens, and then EVERYTHING happens
3. I am starving all the time
4. My mind is foggy, and I day dream a lot. & I lose my train of thought when I am talking.
5. I am irritable
6. For some reason it feels like my head is pulsing, with a mild head ache
7. I almost passed out walking up a hill, which is not normal for me
8. I have to drink a juice every two hours, so it gives me little time to go out and do what I want



I am still trying to decide if this is a good thing or bad thing for my body. From doing my research on the internet, half the nutritionists support it and half of them don't. So it's a tough call. The only advice I can give is listen to your body. Some websites say that if you're feeling dizzy and faint and ill then it means your body is detoxing. I however think it is the major levels of blood sugar spikes and drops. I guess the symptoms and results are different for everybody.

I am all for healthy eating and exercising, but I don't think juicing is for me. I love food way too much. But I am not even done the cleanse yet. Who knows, maybe day 3 is the magical day where all my symptoms disappear and my body finally accepts the fact that I am not feeding it solids.

Either way, I will keep you guys posted once I finish.

Stay tuned.






Also, these two books do not go hand in hand, I discovered.

Sunday, 11 January 2015

Health tips for clear skin

Happy lazy Sunday!

This is one lazy day for me, but I thought I should at least do something productive today. So here I am, thinking away on easy ways to try and incorporate healthier things into our everyday lives. That way you wont have to ;

Mhmm, yes I know I just posted a pizza recipe, I was mad craving that and thought I should share the recipe with everyone! Indulging once in a while IS good!

Anyway...

If you have pimple-prone skin like I do, and having even one drink or one unhealthy meal will cause a breakout, keep reading! There is hope for your precious skin. I have some tips for you desperate ladies and men out there who have something important coming up, and you want to have a clear complexion to look at and feel good about.
Or if you just want to look good all the time, because who doesn't want a smooth-as-a-baby's-butt face?
It all starts with your lifestyle. Are you a smoker? Do you drink? Do you eat vegetables and fruits everyday? Do you eat whole grains? Do you drink water? Are you active? There are so many questions you need to ask yourself and start off by picking one thing and eliminating it, or picking one thing and adding it. Below I have listed some easy tips for you to incorporate into your daily routine, and you don't have to do it all at once, but it is preferred so that you can see results quicker.

Remember, even if you fail to follow these things daily, don't be hard on yourself! Just be mindful of what you are eating and drinking, and try to do intense 30-60 minute workouts 3 times per week.

Tip # 1:
Eat yo veggies. For real though, try adding an extra serving of veggies on your plate at dinner instead of reaching for another bun, or another scoop of potatoes. And if you are a regular potato eater, why don't you try sweet potatoes! They are rich in vitamin A and contain healthy fats and carbs. And have you ever paired it with asparagus or broccoli? So delicious!! Some more ideas: kale salad with pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, homemade pasta sauce with zucchini, eggplant , mushrooms and jalapeño. (That's a great way of getting maximum veggies in one serving) You can also add vegetables to your breakfast! Why not add spinach to your omelette? Or how about in a smoothie!! The possibilities are endless, it just requires a little bit more brain power to come up with some recipes. If you don't like to eat vegetables, think about it in this way: Your body is an incredible machine that requires fuel to keep functioning properly.
If you have constant ailments, always get colds, always get headaches or stomach aches, have sore joints all the time, have acne, suffer from fatigue and bloating... It's about time you take a look at your eating habits, because it plays the most important role in your health.


Tip # 2:
Drink more water! This is the best way to flush out toxins and keep your body in balance. It is also essential for clear skin. I suggest cutting out soda and try not to drink too many vanilla lattes guys.. I know they're good (coming from a girl who works at Starbucks) but milk has been linked to hormone imbalances and digestion issues! If you really can't cut out the milk, I suggest drinking nonfat.  This also goes for alcohol, it's good in moderation, but if you do, stout beer is actually very high in minerals and vitamins.


Tip #3:
Exercise!!! Do YOU exercise? Physical activity goes hand in hand with overall health. I know sometimes it isn't fun, but it doesn't have to be a boring workout. There are so many different kinds of exercise you can do that you can enjoy. My favourite thing to do is back country hiking. Its such an adventure! Even getting out for a walk is better than absolutely nothing, and if you're feeling stressed, going to get some fresh air will clear your head.
But if you are more advanced with your fitness, and you're bored of the routine, try taking a crossfit class, or check out a personal trainer session to get some tips. You dont have to go to the gym to be fit, you can also do calesthenics at home, and yoga.

Getting your heart rate up and moving your body helps your skin to keep young and fresh looking, you will have such a healthy glow :)



Tip #4:
Tea Tree Oil. It is my saviour. I use it for everything! It is great for spot treatment, I also mix it with lotion and put it on my back (bacne is an issue sometimes!) You can also use put a few drops into your shampoo to treat dandruff, it helps cool burns, and I put it under my arms, it is a great natural deoderant. This stuff is magical and smells so fresh and.. plant-y.  Costco sells a huge thing of it in the pharmacy section for $13 (in Canada).



Tip #5:

Having fun.
This one sounds funny at first, but it also plays a huge role in the health department. Mental health and physical health are connected. It has been proven that individuals who suffer from depression have lower immune systems and tend to have unhealthy habits. So why not venture out with a few friends after work and forget about it! Fun doesn't have to mean partying, you could play boardgames, go to an amusement park, try something new like a cooking class or a pottery class. It will boost both your mental health and immune system!



Alright guys, I should leave now and take my own advice. Hope you have a wicked evening, and I'll post again soon.




~Little&simple



Thursday, 8 January 2015

Stuffed Crust Pizza, handmade!

Happy new year everyone!
Once again it has been a while since I've posted some recipes AND pictures, so tonight I decided to be creative and make a homemade stuffed crust pizza with simple, wholesome ingredients, just like the Italians make! The all purpose flour can easily be subbed out for whole wheat flour, and no cheese if you want a lower calorie style pizza. I am what my sister and I like to call "lactard" . a.k.a lactose intolerant. For things like pizza, I have to take those lactose enzyme pills to help me digest it. Absolutely NOTHING can compare to real cheese, so sometimes I do give in, like tonight! But if any of you have dairy allergies, I find the mozza style daiya brand "cheese" would work well with this too!
Below I will list the recipe for the crust, and then the sauce. I will also list the toppings that I added which I found to suit it very well, and its also what I had on hand. Feel free to be creative, its your pizza after all! Enjoy!

Crust:
1 cup warm water
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp active dry yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
1 TSP salt
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
12 mozzarella cheese strings, or a block of mozzarella

First things first! Preheat your oven to 450° F.
Take a small or medium sized oven pan and grease it with olive oil, and sprinkle with a fine layer of corn meal.

Crust Directions: Get a measuring cup and measure out 1 cup of warm water. Stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves, then add the yeast and mix, then let sit for 5 minutes or until creamy.

While you are waiting for the yeast , measure out 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour and dump that into a big bowl with the oil and salt, then add yeast when it is ready and frothy. (If you have an electric kitchen aid mixer, that works well too!) You will then want to knead with your hands until it becomes a smooth dough,(or use the bread spindle attachment for the mixer) then let rest for 5 minutes.


Roll out the dough onto a floured surface and roll into a rectangular or oval shape. You will then want to fit it into your greased pan making sure it reaches all of the corners.

You will then want to place your mozzarella cheese strings along the border of the crust, and fold over the edges, pull back towards the pan, and press firmly around the strings and to the dough to seal it.

It should look like this:

Except we aren't at the sauce part yet. Haha. Thats next though.



Okay that was easy, right? Now let's get saucy.

You will need...

2 heaping tbsp tomato paste
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 fresh garlic clove minced
A bunch of fresh basil leaves chopped
A pinch of dried oregano
A pinch of dried rosemary
A pinch of dried basil


Now this is the fun part, you know exactly every single ingredient that's going into your sauce! Isn't this wonderful? Cooking should be like this always! I just wish I had more time, that's another life goal of mine, but we will talk about that another time.

Now grab a small bowl, add the tomato paste, water and olive oil and mix until well blended, then add all of the other herbs and stir until combined. Then spread onto your crust!



Add your favourite toppings! Mine are tomatoes, basil, chopped kale and mozzarella!


Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. I find every oven is different.

This is what it should look like!


I already had the bigggggest piece, and I'm still drooling just looking at it! Yummmm!! What an awesome way to start the weekend!
Leave a comment below and tell me what toppings you used!


I hope you enjoy the crap out of it, because I sure did. Bye for now!




Monday, 22 December 2014

Asian Breakfast Scramble

I will add some pictures of this recipe when I make it again! This is a great breakfast scramble for when you're hung over, or just craving something savoury when you wake up. I usually like something sweet, but once in a while I feel like having something spicy or salty.

Its such a simple recipe, is super healthy and has a lot of probiotics and gut healthy nutrients! I feel like the sauerkraut adds a nice coolness to the heat. It makes a great brunch too. Well, here you go!!

You will need:
-1 or 2 cups of shredded cabbage (or a small bag of cabbage mix)
-2 eggs , whisked
-3 mushrooms of your choice
-1 grated carrot
-3 tbsp sauerkraut
-2 tbsp of bottled Szechuan sauce, or sweet chili sauce
-fresh cracked pepper


Step by step:
First, add olive oil or coconut oil to pan, then turn on medium heat.
You will then want to whisk your eggs, once the pan is hot , pour them in.

Scramble them until they are halfway done, then add all veggies, the cabbage, mushrooms and carrot.

Once everything has cooked down, you can then add the Szechuan sauce or sweet chili sauce.

Mix well, pour that into a bowl, top with sauerkraut and freshly cracked pepper.

Now enjoy this tasty breakfast! Sometimes I like to toast a piece of sourdough and have that on the side too.

What else would you like to put in this? Let me know your unusual breakfast ideas in the comments below!

Monday, 26 May 2014

Rice Krispies Granola Bars

It's been a while since I've posted, mostly because I kind of gave up on posting recipes.. and I always forget to post the pictures!! I will have to remake some of the food just so that I can post pics for everyone to see, and that my food can actually look pretty good ;).

So today is a lazy day, and I have several of those a week, by the way. After work I didn't feel like doing much at all, so I sat down and read for a bit. Oh and I am re-reading a book (it's that good!) called 'The Storyteller' by Jodi Picoult. It captivated me as soon as I started the first chapter. In case you haven't read it , it's about a Jewish baker who befriends an elderly man who turns out to be a former Nazi. Who is also connected to her grandmother's past. It is a really good read , and has a lot of *true* details about what happened during the war. I highly recommend it!

Just reading the book got me in the mood for baking, so I decided to bake some healthy 'granola' bars! Oat free, flour free and dairy free. I hope you enjoy these on this lovely Monday evening .. mine are still cooling on the rack.






Ingredients:

  • 4 cups rice krispies cereal
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried mangos
  • 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup shredded dried sweetened coconut
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 egg



Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. In a separate smaller bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, veg. oil, and vanilla then melt in the microwave for 1- 1/2 minutes.
  3. Add egg to the peanut butter mixture and whisk.
  4. Pour the wet mix into the dry mix and fold in the brown sugar.
  5. Pack the granola bar mixture tightly into a baking dish, I used a 9x12 since the mixture makes so much.
  6. Bake for 15-25 minutes or until mixture is golden brown and crispy on top.
  7. Let cool for 1-2 hours then cut into squares!

Saturday, 15 March 2014

Strawberry Pistachio Chicken Salad

When I crave salads, I crave BIG salads. With all sorts of vegetables and fruits and nuts and dirt and worms. Haha. Anyways here is a great recipe I like to use if I am short of ideas and I need something quick to make and pack away for work. It is tasty and satisfying, with all of the complex carbs and proteins to keep us fuller longer.

Long live YOU!!


Ingredients:

1-2 cups fresh spinach or kale
4-5 sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/3 cup shelled pistachios
1/4 cup sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup sliced cucumber
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1 cooked chicken breast


Vinigerette dressing to drizzle on top, or any dressing you please.

Combine all ingredients and toss well. Place in plastic containers or ziploc bags for later to keep fresh.




Veggie Mac n' Cheese

Today I went for a small hike in the rain with both Mom and Dad. It was sure nice to get outside and have some fresh air, even if the weather isn't at its best. But hey... This is Vancouver and the rain never bugged me that much!

A few hours after the hike I felt a pang of hunger and my stomach said " you could really use some kraft dinner." Then I said no.. that's not very healthy... But then I thought, hey what if I could put a healthy twist on it, so that I can get in some servings of veggies too?! Within minutes I began to improvise what I was going to do with plain old KD.

I looked in my fridge, and saw some rotting vegetables I had good intentions for a few days ago. Then I remembered that I had just recently bought some kale, an onion and carrots.

This is what I used:

1 carrot grated
1/3 sweet onion grated
2 cups baby kale
1 tbsp pesto or basil in a tube
1 pkg Kraft Dinner
Sriracha sauce to top.




While I was boiling the water, I sauteed the vegetables in a pan, then added to the Kraft Dinner mixture with the pesto when it was finished cooking. It was freaking delicious, I must say. So if you find yourself on a budget or craving macaroni like I did, this is a healthier twist that will surely ease your cravings.


Enjoy :)

Monday, 27 January 2014

Sort of Jambalaya

Last night I made a "sort of" Jambalaya. I looked up a recipe on the food network, except I was missing some ingredients. It turned out really well, a mixture between Jambalaya and Spanish rice.


I didn't have onions, celery or prawns on hand. I didn't have much money either.. So I had to make do!

Well, here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

1 bulb garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
1 bell pepper any color, chopped
1 tbsp cajun seasoning mix
1 chorizo or any kind of hot sausage, chopped
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked separately , chopped and placed aside
3 cups chicken or beef stock
1 can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno, minced
2 cups wild rice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp worcester sauce
1 tsp hot sauce

Optional: The flavours would probably be a lot better if you added 1 chopped sweet onion, 2 stalks celery, and prawns. But if you don't have them like I did, this still is a great recipe!


Directions:

In a medium to large sized bowl, toss the cooked chicken and chopped chorizo with the cajun seasoning, set aside.

In a large pot or saucepan, heat olive oil, then add in garlic, bell pepper and carrots. Add hot sauce and worcestershire sauce. Cook until soft, then add jalapeno, diced tomatoes, wild rice and chicken stock. bring the mixture to a bowl, then reduce heat to simmer and place a lid on top. Let simmer for 45 minutes, so that the rice can cook.

Once the 45 minutes is up, remove lid, add in the chicken and chorizo, and cook for 10-15 minutes more.

Now it is ready to eat!

Protein Muffins- No flour!

Do you ever get a harsh craving for muffins or pancakes in the morning? I do!!! Unfortunately it's not always best for our waistlines to eat like that every morning.. This is a much healthier alternative to regular, sugary carby muffins. This is something you can feel good about!! So I adapted this recipe from "kneadtocook", she has her very own blog and I enjoy reviewing her original recipes!
 So here are the ingredients that I used to make these delicious protein muffins (you can make them into pancakes as well!)

Mine turned out really well and rose in the oven just like a normal muffin would, and the texture is great, they are nice and moist !

Also I don't have a camera so you will just have to trust me on this one . :P




You will need:

2 eggs, whisked
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder (whey is best, as it is the most easily absorbed into your body. But if you cannot have whey protein, hemp, rice or soy will do as well.)
1 pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract (artificial is fine.)
1 mashed banana
2 tbsp maple syrup or raw honey




Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine eggs, mashed banana, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl.

Pour in the protein powder and salt, and mix well.

Spray or grease a muffin tin, pour in the mixture into each section until halfway- three quarters full. It probably will not make a dozen muffins unless you make them mini sized. My batter only made 7 muffins, so it might be better to make them in a mini muffin tin.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, remove from oven when golden brown.


Once cooled, place in an airtight container and store them in the fridge or freezer.



Now you can enjoy a lower calorie, low carbohydrate breakfast or snack on the go!


Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chunk Muffins

Two days ago I made these muffins as a request from my boyfriend. They were supposed to last the whole week for him to take to work.. and guess what? They are ALL gone! Over the course of 48 hours he devoured these muffins..( Okay I MAY have helped him a bit..)Which isn't so bad since they are pretty healthy!

You will need:

1/3 cup honey
2/3 cup apple sauce
2 tbsp plain cream cheese
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1 bag of semi sweet chocolate chunks/chips
1/2 cup chopped walnut or pecans



Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease muffin pan or line with muffin cups.

In a bowl, combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, then add in honey, apple sauce, cream cheese, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Blend well.


Stir the wet ingredients into the dry, a little bit at a time. Once it is combined, then add in the chocolate chunks and the chopped nuts.


Spoon the mixture into each muffin tin until 3/4 full.


Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.


Once finished, place on a cooling rack, then store in an air tight container.






Sunday, 12 January 2014

Jalapeno Steak

I love spicy food, and jalapeno peppers are my number one favourite flavour for spice. Must be the bit of mexican in me ;) .

Here is another simple recipe for a lazy Sunday.


You will need:

2 large tenderloin steaks
1 sweet onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
pinch of salt
1 large jalapeno, minced
1/2 bottle of Clubhouse Montreal Steak Spice Marinade



First off! You will need to let your steak marinade in the steak spice for at least 30 minutes. As with all meats, the longer the better. So if you are going to work,  I suggest placing the steaks in a zip lock bag with the marinade in the fridge before you head off !


Step 1:

Prepare all vegetables, then  pour some olive oil into a sauce pan over medium heat. Place vegetables in the pan.


Step 2:

Slice the marinated steaks thinly as if you are going to make a stir fry. Add to pan with the vegetables.



Once the steaks are cooked the tenderness that you like, remove from heat.  Serve with rice and steamed vegetables, or any side dish you please. This spicy steak really hit the spot for me, I hope it does for you too!






Sunday, 15 December 2013

Green Pesto Chicken Pasta

I am back! Here I have a simple yummy recipe for those nights when you just feel like giving up. On dinner. I totally winged it and didn't even copy this one from anywhere. So here you go, it is healthy and leaves some leftovers for lunch as well!


Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 bag of fresh spinach
  • 1/2 bag of frozen green bean & carrot mix
  • 2 tbsp pesto
  • 1 tbsp margarine
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp herb and garlic cream cheese 
  • 5 fresh kale leaves, torn into pieces




Directions:

  1. Place a saucepan on the stove and put in the olive oil, turn heat on medium.
  2. Mince the garlic, dice the chicken then add to saucepan.
  3. While the chicken begins to cook, place a medium sized pot of water on the stove on high, for the pasta.
  4. Add in spinach, green beans, and torn pieces of kale into the chicken garlic mixture.
  5. Once the water has boiled in the pot, add in your favorite kind of pasta.
  6. When the chicken is done cooking turn the burner off and place a lid on top until the pasta is finished.
  7. Drain pasta, place back into the pot, then add margarine, garlic cream cheese and pesto.
  8. Dump the chicken mixture into the pot of pasta, and mix well.
  9. Serve hot with fresh grated parmesan!




These ingredients I had on hand, but you really can substitute any vegetables. Same with the pasta, you can use gluten free noodles or whole grain ones, it still tastes delicious! Today I felt like I didn't eat enough veggies so I made sure to add lots of greens to my dinner.


Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Thursday, 10 October 2013

Sourdough Starter (from Allrecipes)

Have you ever wondered where the heck do you buy sourdough starter? Or any "unusual" baking ingredients? A lot of these items you cannot buy in your regular grocery store. Many things you can make from scratch, right in your own kitchen. If you want to make your own sourdough at home, here is the most simple, handy recipe for you to use for sourdough starter. I will keep posting cheaper and healthier alternatives for baking ingredients for everyone, as much as I can. All credit for this recipe goes to Esther Nelson, here is the link : http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sourdough-starter/


And here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

  1. 1 pkg dry active yeast (.25 ounce)
  2. 2 cups warm water
  3. 2 cups all purpose flour

  1. In large non-metallic bowl, mix together dry yeast, 2 cups warm water, and 2 cups all purpose flour and cover loosely.
  2. Leave in a warm place to ferment, 4 to 8 days. Depending on temperature and humidity of kitchen, times may vary. Place on cookie sheet in case of overflow. Check on occasionally.
  3. When mixture is bubbly and has a pleasant sour smell, it is ready to use. If mixture has a pink, orange, or any other strange color tinge to it, THROW IT OUT! and start over. Keep it in the refrigerator, covered until ready to bake.
  4. When you use starter to bake, always replace with equal amounts of a flour and water mixture with a pinch of sugar. So, if you remove 1 cup starter, replace with 1 cup water and 1 cup flour. Mix well and leave out on the counter until bubbly again, then refrigerate. If a clear to light brown liquid has accumulated on top, don't worry, this is an alcohol base liquid that occurs with fermentation. Just stir this back into the starter, the alcohol bakes off and that wonderful sourdough flavor remains! Sourdough starters improve with age, they used to be passed down generation to generation!

Sunday, 6 October 2013

Overnight Apple Oatmeal

If you know you have a crazy busy morning ahead of you, this is great and super easy to prepare the night before. It saved me so many days that I almost ran late for work. I hope you enjoy this recipe, I didn't copy it off of anywhere,  I just guessed out the measurements at the time and it happened to turn out perfectly , which like, never happens. Anyways here you go!

Ingredients:


  • 1/4 cup dry oats
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 cup almond/soy milk
  • 1 chopped apple
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp hemp hearts
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans



Stir all of the above ingredients in a to go container, or in a decent sized breakfast bowl, and set in the fridge.
When you are ready to eat in the morning, pop it in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes , then stir until well mixed. Top with brown sugar or honey. Shovel into mouth. Yum.  Oh , don't forget your keys. Or phone. Have a good day!

Creamy Mango Protein Smoothie...With a kick!

When I work in the mornings, I usually get up at around 5:00 a.m. At that time, I never really feel like eating a big meal , and I find that protein smoothies will do the trick and curb my hunger until around 10:00-11:00 a.m. (Or I drink one at 5, and bring an extra, and drink another at work when it isn't busy!)

This is basically just a mish-mash of whatever I had on hand, and it blended quite well together, I really enjoyed it- it tastes sinful but is actually healthy! Enjoy, here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1/2 cup frozen or fresh cranberries (can use raspberries or blackberries too!)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • dash of cayenne pepper


Optional: 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp matcha



FuN fAcTs! :

The cinnamon in this smoothie will help stabilize your blood sugar throughout the morning, the protein will curb your hunger, the cayenne pepper is a great metabolism booster, along with the lemon which is very high in vitamin C, which helps you burn fat . Cranberries add a slight tartness to even out the sweet, and are also great for cleansing the urinary tract. The matcha is a great antioxidant, and pick-me-up! It is much more concentrated than steeped green tea, since it is actual green tea leaves ground up, no waste there! I subbed out real milk for the almond, because I am a "lactard". Haha. Also, it is a much lower calorie alternative to milk and is good for your skin and hair! The chia seeds (if you chose to add them) are very high in omega 3's, and dietary fiber.


Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Mediterranean Quinoa & Kale Salad




Ingredients:
  • 2 cups fresh kale leaves, torn apart into small pieces
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 handful of jarred roasted red peppers
  • 5 pitted kalamata olives, sliced 
  • goat cheese or feta , crumbled (any amount! I like to put in about 1/3 cup)
  • 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
  • 1 handful sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, chopped
  • 10 fresh grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 pinch garlic salt
  • 1 tbsp balsamic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp greek seasoning
Directions:
 
In a bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Make sure the quinoa is still hot when you do this, so that all of the flavours can combine together. Set in the fridge for about an hour or two, then serve!

That was simple !

Spicy Peanut Tofu Stirfry

I was craving a mixture between a stir fry and Thai food one day and came up with this, and I think it is the most delicious thing I have created yet, without a plan. I am sharing you this secret recipe for the BEST peanut sauce in the world. It's gold I tell you.. GOLD!! Anyways, here are some dim pics I took with my phone, hopefully you find them helpful. Have a good one guys!

Ingredients:


  • 1/2 zucchini diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1-2 cups broccoli florets
  • 3 cups spinach
  • 1/2 sweet onion diced
  • 3 cloves russian garlic, minced
  • 1 package of firm tofu


Sauce:
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of hoisin sauce
  • 1 heaping tablespoon of  Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce




Directions:



  1. In a large skillet, heat up a tablespoon or two of olive oil and add onions, garlic and tofu.
  2. Once the tofu looks crispy, then add in the soy sauce, peanut butter, hoisin and chili sauce.
  3. Stir so that everything is coated evenly, you may need to add 1/4 cup of water to water down the sauce if it is too thick.
  4. then add in the peppers, zucchini, broccoli and spinach and place a lid on top so that the veggies can steam.
  5. Once the vegetables are steamed , mix everything thoroughly so that everything is coated with the peanut sauce.
  6. Serve immediately with a drizzle of chili sauce on top!

Jo-Ann's Power Bars

All credit goes to: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jo-Anns-Power-Bars/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=low%20gi&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe



OKAY! So these power bars are one of the best ones I have tried yet. I always make my own protein bars and shakes at home, I try not to buy the pre-made ones. These are good and solid and are great to pack in your bag for hiking. I love dried cranberries with a passion so I made sure to put loads of those in.

Here is the recipe, enjoy!

Ingredients: 
  •  1 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup Grape Nuts Cereal
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seed kernels
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup to 1 cup of chopped dried mixed fruit
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a 9 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, cereal, and cinnamon. Add the egg, applesauce, honey, brown sugar, and oil. Mix well. Stir in the sunflower seeds, walnuts, and dried fruit. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
  3. Bake 30 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned around the edges. Let cool. Use the foil to lift from the pan. Cut into bars or squares, and store in the refrigerator.

Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread - Allrecipes

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cracked-Wheat-Sourdough-Bread/Detail.aspx?prop24=hn_slide1_Cracked-Wheat-Sourdough-Bread&evt19=1

This one looks wicked, it has great reviews so I will give this one a shot. Let me know if you end up making this one.