Recipe Spotlight 2012 #2

The second and final recipe spotlight for 2012 is here!  With only 2 full days left of 2012 I am leaving you with several of MY favorite recipes this year.

Coconut Balls

Purple Podded Beans

Mary's Breakfast Sammies

No-Bake Freezer Pie (Finger Pie)

Deliciously Buttery Dinner Rolls

(My favorite)  From Mary's Real Food Cookbook

Stay tuned for more Meatless on Monday and Raw Food Fridays in 2013!

Recipe Spotlight 2012 #1

I've missed a few Meatless on Mondays and last week I missed Raw Food Friday!  The good news is that I'm still around but I'm taking it easy for the next week.  While I've slowed down on this blog I'll be back in January to my regular posting.

Today I'm sharing a few of my favorite posts.

DIY Foodie Gifts: Vanilla Extract

Simple Basil Lemonade

Homemade Salsa

Hot Wassail from Our Best Bites

A few months ago I won a giveaway at Let Them Eat Cake.  A week later this fantastic cookbook arrived at my doorstep.  It's been a hectic few moths so I'm finally sitting down to try a few of the recipes.


Savoring the Seasons With Our Best Bites has 4 sections for 
4 seasons.  The recipes look fantastic!  I chose wassail because the hubs tells me his mom used to make it.  Side note: I know I call him "the hubs" that but it'll be OFFICIAL this Friday!!!

Hot Wassail
Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups pineapple juice
3 cups orange juice
3 cups lemonade

Directions
Combine water, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.  Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes and let sit for 1 hour.  This step can be done 3 days ahead of time.

Add pineapple juice, orange juice and lemonade.  
Heat and serve.

After reading the recipe I realized that it's nothing like what the hubs described but I'll make it anyway.  This recipe is much healthier!

Silence

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. 

The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services.

Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

“Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic

and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their

highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support

groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECT4ED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING.”

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

Meatless on Monday #18

My recipe is short and sweet today.  But before we get to the recipe, enjoy a beautiful quote.

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Green Thickies!!  Check it out!

Blackberry Basil Smoothie
from Green Thickies 

Ingredients

2 Cups Water (If you are drinking this straight away substitute one cup of water for ice)

1 Cup Basil, loosely packed (Or any other mild green if you really can’t face basil but it really is delicious with the basil)

¼ Cup Almonds (or any plain seeds if you don’t eat nuts, or leave out for less calories).

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (Pure or ground vanilla has a better flavour)

½ Cup Raisins (or any other dried fruit which can also be pre-soaked for a smoother blend)

1 Cup link Oats Or one cup of Quinoa 

4 Cups Blackberries (I used one punnet of frozen blackberries)

1 Banana

Instructions

• Blend the ingredients in the order listed. Blend the greens and liquid first and then blend the rest of the ingredients. This creates more space in your blender. Add more water if required to thin it out. Substitute any of the ingredients for whatever you already have. If your smoothie is too warm, you can cool it down in the fridge or freeze some of your ingredients before blending. 

Head over to Green Thickies and check out the amazing recipes! 

Raw Food Friday #4 Green Smoothie!

I had this fantastically fancy recipe to share for Raw Food Friday this week but I'm just not up to it.  I'm really focusing on what I eat lately and simple just feels better.

I found so many awesome recipes over at Green Thickies  (also on my sidebar) so I thought I'd share one today.  One of my favorite posts so far is 8 Best Vegan Blogs.  I'm not vegan but these bloggers have some amazing recipes!

Coconut Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
adapted from Green Thickies

source

Ingredients

1 Cup cold Water

3 Cups Pineapple (1 medium pineapple chopped)

½ Cup shredded Coconut (You could use coconut milk, creamed coconut or coconut meat)

1 Cup Spinach, tightly packed or 2 cups loosely packed. (Or other mild greens)

Instructions

Blend the ingredients in the order listed. Add more water if required to thin it out. Substitute any of the ingredients for whatever you already have. If your smoothie is too warm, you can cool it down in the fridge.

What am I up to?

I'm veering from my "normal" recipe post today to share with you what I'm up to. 

I'M ON A MISSION!

Roasted Acorn Squash

 At Back to the Basics I shared 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss Part 1 and Part 2.  
A great place to start might also be 6 Ways to Stay Focused.

Basically, I'm working on dropping a few pounds and NOT gaining over the holidays.  If you've read this post you'd know that I've struggled with my weight off and on for my entire life.  Don't get me wrong...I'm at a healthy weight at the moment but I'm happier when I'm a bit lighter.  I also feel better when I'm eating healthier.

So...I'm on a Mission!  
No Chocolate or Alcohol until Christmas.
And I mean it!

Wake-up: 1 large glass of water with lemon or lime juice.
Breakfast: Oatmeal with a spoonful of honey and a cup of black coffee with honey.
Water!
Snack: Carrot Sticks and/or celery sticks. 1 cup of Slim Tea.
Water!
Lunch: Scrambled eggs (no cheese for now)
Water!
Snack: Protein Shake
**Let me be more specific**  
I use Standard Process SP Complete.  It is a natural, whole food product and is available non-dairy.  
No chemicals and non-gmo.

Dinner: Salad with homemade dressing and another protein shake.

Water is key.  I drink about 10- 8 ounce glasses a day.  Sometimes more when I workout.  After dinner I've been drinking a cup of Everyday Detox tea but I might switch that to the morning.   I love the slim tea and it's natural.

Above is my typical day of food.  The snacks vary and the salad is usually loaded with good stuff.  It's not very exciting but it's fuel to keep my body going and most importantly it's healthy.  There will be no starving!

Looking for Healthier recipes?

Roasted Veggies

Basil Lemonade

Butternut Squash Curry

Roasted Beet Salad

Garlic Ginger Coconut Quinoa

Bean Salad and Quinoa

Meatless Mushroom Stroganoff

Enjoy the healthy recipes!

Meatless on Monday #17

I missed last week so here goes another Meatless.  I really don't have a true recipe for this so you'll have to figure out how many people you're feeding and adapt.

I made several small casseroles so this is a big recipe.  I'm still not quite sure what to call this recipe.

My Meatless Casserole

Ingredients
2-4 cups cooked rice
2 cans tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 can black beans
2 fresh jalapenos, sliced
1 onion, chopped and sauteed
1/2 pound spinach, steamed
1 zucchini, sliced
2 cups shredded mozarrella cheese (or more)

Directions
Mix tomato sauce, chili powder, pepper and paprika in a saucepan and heat on low.  

Spread cooked rice over the bottom of your pan.

Add a layer of onion. Add a layer of black beans and top with a sprinkle of cheese.  Add a layer of spinach and jalapenos.  Spoon tomato sauce mixture over the entire casserole.  Top with sliced zucchini and cover with cheese.

Bake covered at 400 for 45 minutes (give or take).  Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

DIY Foodie Gifts: Peppermint Vodka

This just might be one of my favorites!  There are a few variations such as *a stronger liquor or *adding coloring.  We make something called a Peppermint Patty.  It's like a White Russian with peppermint liquor (I'll share the recipe soon).


Peppermint Vodka

source

from Delightfully Tacky 
Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint oil
OR 2 teaspoons peppermint extract (For stronger mint taste, add 3/4 teaspoon of peppermint oil or 3 teaspoons of peppermint extract)
3 cups Vodka
4-6 drops red or green food coloring (optional)
A sterile 1 quart container for the vodka to sit in while it infuses.

Directions:
First make your sugar syrup by combining water and sugar in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, cook until the sugar is dissolved and liquid is clear, about 5 min. Let the sugar syrup cool completely. 

Next, in a sterile quart jar with tight fitting lid, pour the vodka, sugar syrup, and peppermint oil or extract and stir well. 

Store in a cool, dark place, allowing it to steep for 2 weeks. Turn the jar upside down every 2-3 days to mix, or remove lid and stir.

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My homemade Vanilla Extract is changing color fast!  Here's a pic at about 6 days.  

I'm really excited to give it a taste in another 5 weeks!