4-Ingredients (kinda): Veggie Pasta

I have scoured the WWW for simple recipes.  I decided on a 4-Ingredient series to share here.  I've been in the garden quite a bit lately so I'm preparing for harvest (quite a ways away) recipes.
**Salt, pepper and water do not count**

Why Kinda?  I added 4 types of veggies but only counted them as 1 ingredient.  This is Meatless Monday #26!  Enjoy!

Veggie Pasta (simple style)

Ingredients:
Veggies, chopped
Pasta, cooked
Olive Oil
Sauce 
(depends on your taste)

Directions:
To make this delicious concoction I chopped 1 of each of my veggies: bell pepper, crookneck squash, broccoli and onion.


Next I added them to a large pan with olive oil and cooked for approx 5 minutes.  I chose to use low-sodium Terriyaki sauce.  You could also use Ranch dressing after the veggies are cooked or another kind of sauce.

Excuse the steamy photo.  It's Hot!

Toss cooked veggies and sauce with cooked pasta (or quinoa if you prefer) and serve.  This meal can be served hot or cold!

Check out the Heirloom Seeds giveaway!
I'm partying over HERE and Wildcrafting Wednesday.

Low Carb Slow Cooker Chicken

My husband and I aren't picky eaters.  We could eat similar meals every day and not really get bored.  As long as we eat adequate amounts of protein throughout the day, small snacks in between and drink LOTS of water, we're A-OK!

source

On a side note, I'm thrilled to share that I am still enjoying the results of my last It Works! Wrap.  It was a GREAT way to keep me motivated to eat the right foods and continue drinking adequate amounts of water each day.  It's hard to cheat when you see those kind of results.

Since I am working on eating healthier, reducing inflammation and getting back in shape (check out my results so far), I thought I would share one of the easiest recipe I make.

Low Carb Simple Slow Cooker Chicken
adapted from Sparks
Ingredients:

2 cups chicken broth (low sodium or homemade)

1 large carrot, chopped

1 large potato, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 large onion, chopped

½ cup tomato sauce (low sodium or homemade)
2 cups water

28 ounces chicken breast

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon marjoram

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon chili powder

½ teaspoon basil

3 cloves garlic, chopped or crushed

Directions:

Add everything to your slow cooker.

Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.

Serve Hot!

**You could easily add in cooked Quinoa or low-carb pasta at the end if this is too boring**


In case you missed it:
Calling all Homesteaders, Gardeners and Eco-Coscience...
People/Bloggers/Wannabes!  Or maybe you are none of these but you like to read and are comfortable sharing your (family-friendly) opinion... 

I would like to start a dialogue on a book I'm reading.  
I-LOVE-IT!!  So I want to share.  Would you like to join me?

Send me an email to mari_backtonature@yahoo.com for the details.  I'd like to make this a project we can all get involved in and hopefully spread the word through our blogs.

Reviews will start in 4 weeks!  

 

Baked Zucchini with Kale Ricotta

Sounds delicious right???  This recipe can easily be made vegan by substituting the egg and ricotta with Vegan alternatives.  We ate the entire pan of zucchini!  My food processor bit the dust recently so I used the blender and it worked just fine!
I'm getting more recipes ready for Harvest!  Yes, that's a ways off but you can never be too prepared!

Baked Zucchini with Kale Ricotta
Ingredients:
1 very large zucchini (or 3 regular size)
1-1/2 cups ricotta (I used fat-free)
2 eggs
2-3 large leaves of kale
1-4 cloves of garlic (depending on your taste)
salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 400.

for the Kale Ricotta:
Add ricotta, egg, kale, garlic, salt and pepper to your blender or food processor.  Blend until smooth.

Next, slice your zucchini in medium rounds.  Not too small that they burn and not too large that they don't cook all of the way.

Spray a large pan with non-stick spray.  You can use oil if you prefer but I like to keep this recipe light.  Place zucchini in the pan then add a dollop of Kale ricotta over each round.

Bake for 20 minutes.  ***In the future, I will add basil to the top for a bit more flavor***

Homemade Naan (Vegetarian/Vegan option)

Welcome to Meatless on Monday #25!
This is a brand new recipe for me.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I was game to try.  This is a much simpler recipe as there is no milk or eggs and very easy to make vegan with a simple "tweak."  
Even better...I had all of the ingredients on hand!

**If you have a minute, check out My Results.**  

I'm wrapping myself (and maybe YOU) Skinny!!!

Homemade Naan 
adapted from food.com
Ingredients:

4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt* (I used non-fat)

*Or Vegan alternative*

Directions:
Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.

Stir in the yogurt till the dough is too stiff for a spoon, then knead it in the bowl till it holds together well, adding more flour if necessary.

Turn it out on a floured surface and continue kneading for about 5 minutes till the dough feels smooth and elastic.

Form the dough into a ball and put it in an oiled bowl, covered with a towel, to rest for an hour or longer.

Take the dough out and cut it into 10 equal pieces. 

 Form each into a ball and press the balls flat into round discs.

Heat a large frying pan or griddle, either seasoned cast iron or a good non-stick finish.

Heat your oven to about 500 and have the broiler on (this is how the original recipe states it - I know with my oven it's either 500 degree oven OR the broiler, but you get the idea. )

Take 1 piece of dough at a time and roll it out on a floured surface till it is about 8-10 inches across and less than 1/4 inch thick.

Lay it on the hot griddle and cook it over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes (I don't think mine took that long).

It will puff up in places or all over, and there will be some blackish-brown spots on the bottom.

Slide a spatula under the naan and transfer it to the oven, directly onto the rack, for a minute or two, just till it finishes puffing up into a balloon and begins to color lightly on top.

Remove naan from the oven and brush it lightly with melted butter if you like. Continue this way with all the dough, stacking the breads into a napkin-lined basket.

Serve the breads hot, fresh from the oven, or let them cool and wrap them up.

To reheat, wrap them in aluminum foil, in packets of 4 or 5 breads and put them in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.

Depending on the day, I'm partying OVER HERE and Wildcrafting Wednesday.

Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Basil

We are really working hard at eating right and drinking plenty of water.  This is not a low-fat meal but the fat is from olive oil which is a healthier fat.  I do not eat this at night but rather for lunch so that my body has a chance to process the oil properly.

Honestly, It won't do me much good to Wrap Myself Skinny if I go off and eat junk all the time!!!

I LOVE eggplant!!!  Seriously!  I planted 8 eggplants this year so that I never have to buy them from the store or farmer's market.  This recipe is so simple that anyone can try it!

Delicious Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Basil
Ingredients
1 large eggplant, sliced in rounds
olive oil
ricotta cheese (reduced fat)*Or vegan alternative*
fresh basil
salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Pour desired amount of olive oil in a pan (I used a cake pan because it was handy). Place eggplant rounds in the olive oil and coat both side.  The eggplant will soak up the olive oil.

Top eggplant with salt and pepper then top with ricotta cheese and fresh basil.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until slightly browned.

Helpful Links:
My Results! 
Foods to Fight Inflammation 
Detoxing Smoothie
Cleansing Cruciferous Salad

Depending on the day I'm partying over HERE and Wildcrafting Wednesday.

MY Results with It Works! (Woohoo)

When I posted the short video about the It Works Ultimate Body Applicator I promised to share my results.

Did you forget all about it?  No, well I didn't either.  Here is the Final Tally with pictures!!!

BEFORE

AFTER!!! Second wrap @72 hours

BEFORE

Second wrap@72 hours AFTER

Check out:  
https://slimdownwithmary.myitworks.com/Shop/Category/314  
for more info or to purchase wraps.

Inch loss around my waist (belly button): 2 3/4 inches!  *That's not total inches lost added up.  That is JUST around my belly button!
Inch loss above my belly button: 1 inch
Below my belly button 1 1/2

These are just MY results.  Some have tried the Ultimate Body Applicator and have lost more, some have lost less.

I was a bit nervous posting the before pics since they're a bit embarrassing but they speak for themselves

If you have ANY questions or you're interested in purchasing wraps and/or getting involved with It Works! Global just send me a private email to mari_backtonature@yahoo.com

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Detoxing Smoothie to Fight Inflammation

Not everyone is a fan of green juice or smoothies.  I am!  My husband...not so much.  He prefers his greens in a salad (unless I can disguise them in a berry or banana smoothie)

I am really enjoying trying new recipes lately on my quest to fight inflammation.  If you do a bit of research, inflammation can cause disease and damages your body.  If you're looking for an anti-aging, healthier way to live...Fight inflammation!!!

Detox Energy Elixer

I love celery!!!

adapted from Healing Gourmet

Ingredients

2 medium organic cucumbers, peeled

4 slice(s) organic ginger (about 1/4" thick each)

1 whole organic lemon, juiced

1/2 cup(s) organic parsley

1 whole (2" diam) organic beet

8 stalk(s) organic celery 

Preparation
Add all ingredients to a juicer to express. 
Chill juice if desired, and serve. 

*I modified this recipe to make a smoothie*

I used 1/4 of the ingredients, added everything to the blender with 1-2 cups of cold water.  You can make it creamier with 1/2 cup organic yogurt.

Check out how I'm getting in Bikini Shape!

It Works! I Love It!

Check out this super short video!

"Slim down with Mary" check out my link:

https://slimdownwithmary.myitworks.com/Home

Does it get any better than that?  It's simple and easy to use!

The It Works! Wrap will help you tighten tone and firm in as little as 45 minutes! Trust me THIS is as close to magic as it gets.

I finished my second wrap 2 days ago and I'll share my results after my 3 days are up.  I'll just say that I'm excited so far!

Want to build a business with It Works! Global?  
I can help!  Send me an email to mari_backtonature@yahoo.com or use the contact page in the link above. 

Helpful links:
Earning Income from Home: It Works! 
My It Works!