The Natural Switch

The endless array of products that are supposed to make you "better/prettier/smoother/softer/more energized" is incredibly overwhelming. And I'm convinced many of them (food, drinks, beauty products, etc.) are loaded with chemicals that actually have the opposite affect on your body in the long run. But that's a lengthy conversation for another day. Here are a few natural items that have made their way into my routine in place of their more processed counterparts:

• Coconut oil (preferably unrefined) as moisturizer

• Brown sugar as body scrub (mixed with some coconut oil)

• Apple cider vinegar as energy booster (1 Tbsp mixed with a few ounces each of cranberry and pineapple juices)

What natural products do you use on a daily basis?

Sugar Cookie Milkshake

Now if that post title didn't catch your attention, I don't know what will. That is, if I still have an audience. [Enter poor excuse for lack of blog posts here]. You know what they say -- onward and upward!

This moderately healthy milkshake was the product of a cupcake craving. But with no cake batter in sight, I grabbed a box of sugar cookie mix from the darkest corner of my pantry and got to work. In about five minutes, I had in my hands one of the best things I've ever sipped through a straw.

I laughed. I cried. I scraped every last drop out of the blender.

The sugar cookie flavor of this shake was so spot-on that I excitedly text messaged my husband and two sisters before I even finished slurping my way to the bottom of the glass. My youngest sister rode her bike to my house that night so I could make her one. A few seconds into her shake, and she quickly became a devoted fan. And if she likes it, then chances are you will too.    


Sugar Cookie Milkshake 
(serves one)

• 6 oz. almond milk (I use unsweetened original)
• 2 oz. half and half
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/4 c. sugar cookie mix, dry
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract (I use a non-alcohol version)
• 1 tsp. rainbow sprinkles, plus more for garnish

Blend all ingredients except sprinkles. Gently mix in sprinkles with a spoon (note: if using larger sprinkles, you may want to blend on low for a few seconds). Pour, garnish and drink!

 

 Tell me friends, what have you been up to?

Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joes

In keeping with the tradition of comfort food, I set out to make sloppy joe's from scratch. Even without the can, these are surprisingly simple and just as delicious as I remember.

I followed Pioneer Woman's recipe, with the following modifications:

• Used pretzel rolls instead of Kaiser rolls (trust me, SO good)
• Didn't add Worcestershire
• Replaced the green bell pepper with red 

What comfort food should I attempt to make next?

Pumpkin Rosemary Mac & Cheese

I have to warn you. This mac & cheese is good. Too good. It will ravish you with all of its cheesy, flavorful glory, but you must never surrender to the pressure to eat it everyday for the rest of your life. It's a tough battle, but I'm willing to take my chances.

While the addition of pumpkin puree and fresh rosemary probably make this dish vastly different from the mac & cheese of our childhood, the gooey, cheesy flavor and shell pasta make it just reminiscent enough to still count as comfort food. Plus, the pumpkin offers a nutty, creamy flavor that your dinner guests probably won't be able to pinpoint. Add in some rosemary and cayenne, and you have yourself one complex dish that isn't all that complicated to make.

I followed Jenna's recipe almost exactly, but omitted the breadcrumbs and only used a little over three cups of milk. I also opted to use orecchiette, which is quickly becoming my favorite pasta shape for the way it holds onto the sauce just enough without hogging it. =)
[Update: After a taste test, I prefer Kate's variation on this recipe. The addition of Velveeta makes for a more silky smooth sauce.]

What's your favorite comfort food?

Caramel Apple Sundaes

There's something about gooey caramel apples that just speak to me. They're such a simple treat, yet they pull on the heart strings (and braces) of people everywhere. Because they're just. that. good. But the old caramel apple got a makeover at my place this past weekend. And here's what she looks like now:

Those, my friends, are caramel apple sundaes in all of their glory. The concept is simple -- a hollowed out apple filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with caramel and walnuts. I followed Martha Stewart's recipe with some notable changes to the caramel that didn't work (i.e., I replaced the white sugar with brown, and used almond milk instead of heavy cream). While the caramel tasted great, it never thickened up like a more traditional sauce should -- as indicated by the pool of caramel you see above. I recommend going with a recipe you know works. There's also the option of going the jarred route. Trader Joe's makes a pretty good fleur de sel caramel sauce.

This dessert is not heart-shaped. Nor does it involve chocolate. But I think it's the perfect -- albeit nontraditional -- Valentine's Day treat.

Are you planning on making a homemade dessert on Valentine's Day?

Super Bowl Sunday: Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ahhh...football season. The fragrant scent of fresh cut grass, the stark white glow of stadium lights, the joy of a winning touchdown. It's all so...boring.

Even though I'm not a fan of football, I understand why it's such a big deal to so many people. So when Sarah of SarahFit posted a recipe last month for "Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip" in honor of the NFL playoffs, I bookmarked it right away. I may not have a desire to watch the Super Bowl, but I'd tune in if this spread was in front of me:

See what I did up there with the beer glass? That's my attempt at making the dip appeal to the men in my family. I think I may have squashed my chances by delicately layering stalks of organic celery in it. ;-) The chips are for the whiners who "don't like vegetables." They shall go unnamed. For now. 

I followed Sarah's recipe almost exactly, with a few notable changes:

• Rather than boil the chicken, I simply put the frozen chicken breast, ~1/2 c. water and a sprinkle of pepper in the Crock Pot on high for a few hours. 

• I topped the dip with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, as that's what I had on hand

This one's a winner, folks.

Which team are you rooting for this Sunday?

Simple Recipes from Around the Blogosphere: Part Two

Blogs are one of my favorite places to find new recipes, especially when they're simple. As a continuation of my previous post, here are some of the best dishes and drinks bloggers have taught me to make:

• Nut Butter Encrusted Fries - Root vegetables with almond butter? If it sounds weird, that's because it is -- but it works. The nut butter and spices give the fries a crunchy coating that's surprisingly addictive. I like this recipe best with carrots and/or parsnips. First spotted on Oh She Glows.

• The Green Monster - Another Oh She Glows discovery, the Green Monster is a quick and easy way to get your greens. Through trial and error, I discovered that simple is best -- though there are tons of different combinations you can try. Often, a cup of dark chocolate almond milk, one banana, a scoop of chocolate protein powder, some ice and two heaping handfuls of spinach are all I need to get it just right. And no, you can't taste the spinach. 

• Protein Muffins - For an individual serving, these things are pretty hefty. After some quick mixing and a few minutes in the microwave, breakfast is served. Fair warning - they have a potential to be a little plain depending which flour and/or starch you use. Just work with it until you find a recipe you like. In the meantime, a blanket of almond butter or maple syrup does a great job of upping the flavor. Created by Smoothie Girl Eats Too.

As always, be sure to experiment and make the recipes your own. Happy eating!

Read part one here.

Do you have any simple recipes to share? 

Simple Recipes from Around the Blogosphere: Part One

One of the things I love most about reading blogs is coming across healthy, delicious recipes I can recreate without a lot of fuss. Here are a few of the gems that have made their way into my kitchen more than once:

• Low and Slow Roasted Sweet Potatoes - This method is certainly worth the extra oven time. The little pillows of sweet potato get slightly crispy and caramelized on the outside, while the inside stays soft and velvety. I first spotted the recipe on Kath Eats Real Food.

• Curry Cauliflower "Popcorn" - Small cauliflower florets, curry powder and olive oil provide an almost buttery crunch eerily reminiscent of popcorn. It's the perfect healthy movie snack. I can't remember where I first found this recipe, but here's a similar version replacing the curry with cinnamon and garam masala. I say try both and see what you like. Note: I typically omit the salt and find I don't miss it since the other spices are so flavorful.

• Peppermint Patty Tea - Created by yours truly, but I had to include it because it's like sipping on a melted peppermint patty. Just steep a bag of mint tea (I use Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane or Trader Joe's Candy Cane Green Tea) in a hot mug of Silk's PureAlmond dark chocolate almond milk. Gina from The Fitnessista wrote about it here.

I often make modifications to these recipes, like substituting coconut oil for olive oil, or experimenting with different spices. Making it your own is half the fun. Happy eating!

Do you try the recipes you find on blogs? 

Two Pieces Left

The sign of a good birthday weekend...

What's your favorite kind of cake?

Simplicity List: Pumpkin Pie Sundae

I'm off work today to celebrate my husband's birthday weekend, so the vibe around here is one of celebration, which I love. Here's a handful of other things that have made me smile lately:

• The sleepy, smiling look on my husband's face when I brought him Starbucks early on his birthday morning

• When my cup of hot chocolate warms up my cold fingertips on chilly mornings

• Discovering other blogs

• Curbing a craving for pumpkin pie with TJ's pumpkin ice cream, some crushed graham crackers and a lightly toasted marshmallow

• Daydreaming about pretty much anything

• The first crisp, sweet bite of a fuji apple

What simple things made you happy this week?

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I've always attempted to perfect my recipe for sweet potato fries, but am typically left unimpressed. Fed up, I combined various recipes to create what I think has been my best bet so far. While oven-baked fries aren't likely to get as crispy as actual fries due to the cooking method, the addition of egg white helps adhere the spices and gives them a nice crunch. Kicking up the heat at the end also allows the sweet potato to caramelize and cook without getting burnt.

Ingredients:
note: spices are to my taste -- feel free to add/subtract as necessary
2 medium sweet potatoes, washed, unpeeled
2 egg whites
3 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Cut sweet potatoes into "fry-like" strips -- the thinner the better. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg whites and spices. Add sweet potato and toss to coat evenly. Make sure each fry has a nice coating of the seasoning mixture. Place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Increase oven heat to 400 and bake for an additional 20 minutes. Depending on your oven, you may need to reduce time on each temperature by about ten minutes. Just keep an eye on them. Serves two.


Have you ever made oven-baked fries? What are your tips to get them crispy?

Wednesday Wishlist: Kitchen Whimsy

Keeping up the Wednesday tradition, this time with a focus on my kitchen -- which is currently very small. And very messy. But we won't go into that. Here's what's on my wishlist this week:

Etsy (janethillstudio) - "The Magic Spice Cake" print. This would look both inspiring and delicious if framed and hung beside our table.

Amazon - Vegetable Spiralizer. Perfect for raw zucchini pasta, for which I currently use a vegetable peeler. I like to argue that this is a practical purchase, although it probably isn't. Here's to wishful thinking. ;)

Amazon - Rainbow Whisk. Both whisks and wooden spoons are so reminiscent of classic, comforting, "grandmotherly" baking that having such a fun one is almost like an ode of respect. 

Williams-Sonoma: Cast Iron Skillet. The possibilities are endless with such a classic cookware item, and I can certainly see it lasting for years. Maybe we'll make this wish a reality this weekend. =)

Amazon - Ice Cream Scoop. Something tells me this is probably cheaply made. But it's painfully cute and matches a couple of spoons I have, so it remains on the list proudly!

ModCloth - Sugar Baby Cookbook. This is less an addition to my kitchen and more an addition to my bookshelf. =)

Does your kitchen have a theme? I attempted a tastefully done cupcake theme (I've seen it done poorly), but the space seems too small to accommodate this. Perhaps it's a upcoming project for the blog?

What's on your wishlist this week?

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Kale and Apples

Winter squash is a fairly new culinary adventure for me. While I've always heard of butternut squash, it never appealed to me despite its silly name.  This changed last autumn when I discovered the wonder that is roasting cubed squash with olive oil, salt, pepper and cinnamon. This time I wanted a similar taste, but with a little more texture and just the right amount of spice. Oh, and it had to be healthy:

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Kale and Apples
Loosely adapted from Kath Eats 
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp diced yellow onion (I used Trader Joe's pre-diced)
1 quart-sized box of low-sodium butternut squash soup (I used Trader Joe's)
1 c. carrots, chopped (I used baby carrots, but two large carrots will probably work)
2 small stalks celery, chopped
1 c. plain unsweetened almond milk
1 medium Fuji apple, chopped
2 1/2 c. kale, stems removed

Spices
Note that these are to my taste.
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. pepper (I used coarsely ground rainbow peppercorns, but I'm sure regular would be fine)
1/2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (trust me)

Heat up olive oil over medium-low heat.* Add onions and let them sweat and slightly caramelize (about 5-10 minutes). Pour in butternut squash soup, carrots and celery. Turn heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Reduce heat to medium-low. Use a whisk to incorporate almond milk and spices. Let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and add apple and kale. Cover the pot and let the kale steam for about 10 minutes. Uncover, stir and let simmer on low for 20 more minutes. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with a little cinnamon. Serves 3 hearty portions. Maybe 2. ;)

So what did I think of this very autumn-themed soup?

 Take a guess. =)



*My stove gets really hot, so all heat references may be lower than your preferred temps.

Are you going to try recreating this recipe? Let me know in the comments below what you thought of it, or what you'd do differently. =)

Book Sugar

Source

Rosa of ZOMG! Candy managed to spark my nostalgic imagination when I read her recap of The Kitchn's "What are Your Favorite Sweets from Children's Books?" post. As a kid, food — and desserts in particular — were always a driving force behind my love for a book. While certainly not the deciding factor in whether pages were left unturned, my appetite for Candyland-esque prose held a dear place in my bookworm heart. Here are my favorite children’s book treats:

• Snow candy from Little House in the Big Woods

• The Scrumdiddlyumptious bar from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

• Butterscotch Krimpets from Maniac Magee

• Lollipops from Many Luscious Lollipops

• The marshmallow marsh from Jamberry

• Cocoa and doughnuts from Betsy~Tacy

To this day, I’m drawn to books with pictures of food on the cover — a trait that is equal parts embarrassing and wonderful. Then, the true test of whether a book comes home with me is in the first few sentences. If I'm not swept away by the fourth line, I put it back. Probably not a fair assessment, but it's not steered me wrong with books like The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake or The Sugar Queen. But don't worry. That's not all I read. Just picked up The Help and can't wait to sit in a squishy chair and get lost in the pages. =)

What is your favorite children's book?

Adventures in Raw Food

Here's the thing. I like bacon.

I recently went a few months without eating meat. Not intentionally at first; it just kind of happened. Then one day, I smelled bacon sizzling away in my mom's kitchen. That ended things REAL quick.

But here's the other thing. I like being healthy.

Although I don't think I could ever fully embrace vegetarianism, I do value many of the reasons behind the lifestyle. Especially since "a National Cancer Institute study of 500,000 people found that those who ate 4 ounces (114 grams) of red meat or more daily were 30 percent more likely to die of any cause over 10 years than were those who consumed less" Um, yah. Pass the lentils.

In a quest to rev up my health and do a detox of sorts, I've devoted about 40% of my daily meals to raw foods. And the "raw until dinner" approach is really striking my fancy these days. I discovered Megan Elizabeth's "easytoberaw" YouTube channel and can't get enough. Here's a sampling of what I've been up to in the kitchen:

Veggie "Sub" - sweet bell peppers, carrots, celery, tomatoes and 1 tbsp. tahini nestled inside a romaine heart

Strawberry "Bread Pudding" - Black figs, strawberries, strawberry/date sauce (OMG this is good)

Apple Cinnamon "Oatmeal" - Apples, dates, almonds and cinnamon all chopped up and topped with banana "soft serve"

I'm really amazed at how good these meals came out. The flavors were crisp and the portions filling.

Have any of you tried raw foods?

An Ode to the Goddess

A short post while I pack. This is an ode to the salads I've been enjoying for lunch everyday and the dressing that makes it all possible. ;) Let it be known that these are not of the "wilted iceberg lettuce" variety, but rather the "hearty rainbow veggie" variety. The common denominator? Trader Joe's Goddess Dressing (I've been told this is a dupe for Annie's Natural's Goddess dressing). Whatever the case -- it is liquid gold to me. Should note that I typically use one tablespoon rather than two -- and I thin it out with a little water. Here are my favorite salads from the past two weeks:

Baked salmon, lentils, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, TJ's healthy chopped veggies mix, pecan pralines

Cherry tomatoes, strawberries, TJ's healthy chopped veggies mix

Spinach, cherry tomatoes, string cheese, fresh basil (poor woman's caprese salad!)

What's your favorite salad combo?

Haul: Forever 21, Lush, Whole Foods

This past weekend led me to a glorious city about two hours away. Glorious because the mall has a Lush and there's a Whole Foods down the street from said mall. Two places I unfortunately do without in my small town. It's probably for the better though...my wallet happens to appreciate the distance, you see. ;) But this weekend, my friend and I set out on a small spree anyway. Here are the goods:

Forever 21

Woven tunic in a rich cream (not available on website yet). I love billowy, romantic blouses like this -- especially since I've been on the hunt for an off-white one for quite a while. The polka dots are silky and in the same color as the rest of the top, which is nice. Sometimes dots on clothing are all too reminiscent of Minnie Mouse. And while I love me some Disney, I'd rather not look like a child. The tassels are a nice touch, but I wish they were a bit shorter. The crochet at the top is actually what discouraged me from getting this blouse at first. I had visions of my grandma's tablecloth. But I'm so glad I tried it on!


Lush

I first heard of Lush after watching a few YouTube videos on the "Mermaid Cocktail," a stunning concoction for your bathtub -- think softening, bubbly turquoise water with golden shimmer swirling throughout. More on that in another post. =) I was in the market to feel a little luxurious so I picked up a new bath bomb. Enter Dragon's Egg:

From the website: "As you bathe in the whirlpool of vibrant, fiery colour and inhale the refreshing sherbet scent of lemon and bergamot, you'll feel like you're up and away on the back of your own dragon...Turn off your cell phone, shut the bathroom door and make sure you`re firmly in the tub before dropping a Dragon`s Egg into your bath-because the spectacular explosion of sights, sounds and scents demand your undivided attention! This mystical bomb fizzes into long sparkly tangerine coloured curls and crackles with more fiery exuberance than a real dragon. Well, if they were real that is."

The best part is that there's a little bit of Sunnyside bubble bar nestled inside the Dragon's Egg -- making the water swirl with that signature golden luster. Here's a video from Lush so you can see it in action. Can't wait to use this! Next thing I got from Lush (thanks Ash!) was an MMM Melting Marshmallow Moment Bath Melt:

If that name doesn't envelop you in fantasies of cotton candy and frosting, I don't know what will. The actual bath melt smells absolutely gorgeous. From the website: "MMM melts into a pink, fluffy waterbed of marshmallow and moisturizing cocoa butter. Each Melting Marshmallow Moment is made with marshmallow herb, which produces a sweet, skin-soothing mucilage and marigold, which is equally calming for your skin. Mixing it with the Bath Bomb mixture means that Melting Marshmallow Moment goes the distance. It fizzes and melts slowly, releasing the softening, soothing cocoa butter and marshmallow into the water..."

Would make the perfect birthday bath, methinks. =)

Whole Foods
My obsession with WF began from afar. I kept seeing the name pop up on various blogs, but didn't have one near me to visit. When I finally set foot in the store last Saturday, I was embarrassingly giddy. Didn't let myself go too crazy, but I did pick up a few things I haven't seen at my local grocery store. Though I didn't photograph everything, here's my checkout list:

• Vega Sport vanilla protein packet
• Nature's Path peanut butter granola
• Siggi's vanilla yogurt (was excited to try this, and then promptly disappointed)
• Larabar: carrot cake
• Emmy's macaroons. Exhibit A:

 ...was going to show you one, but I dun et 'em. They are kind of what I imagine Fitnessista's macaroons to be. The chai spice flavor was spot on, and I wish there were more than three in the package. The trip to WF also subjected me to the best pistachio gelato I've ever had (from the bakery/coffee area) -- super creamy and reassuringly gritty from the pistachios.

Question: Are you a window shopper, or a "gotta have it now" shopper? I was the latter, but am slowly becoming the former (as evidenced by my self-control during this last trip). I think I will always dislike window shopping, but am smart enough not to put myself in tempting situations very often. 

Wow...long post. Be back tomorrow with another (shorter) update on my health/fitness journey! =)

Coconut Cream Pie Oats

I was introduced to Ben & Jerry's ice cream on a trip to the grocery store with my aunt. I think I was 11. She let me pick out whatever flavor I wanted. I scoffed at Chunky Monkey; rolled my eyes at Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and threw Cherry Garcia across the floor. Popular flavors begone!* My eyes were fixed on the Coconut Cream Pie flavor and it did not disappoint. So when I learned of its new home in the Flavor Graveyard, I was a little upset. This morning, however, I managed to create a breakfast version of my late Ben & Jerry's treat. Without further ado:

Coconut Cream Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/4 c. steel cut oats
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. light coconut milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract (I use a non-alcohol version)
1/2 ripe banana, sliced thinly

Toppings:
1 tsp. real maple syrup (if you need it)
1/2 white chocolate macadamia nut Clif bar, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tbsp. French Vanilla MimiCreme (avail. at health food stores)
1 tbsp. unsweetened toasted coconut flakes  (I didn't have any on hand, but it makes sense to add them)

Add oats, coconut milk, water, banana and vanilla to pot on medium heat. Stir like crazy. You want the banana to melt into the oats for a whipped effect. Cook for 30 minutes total. I typically set the timer in ten minute increments and stir the pot about half the time. I lower the heat to medium-low for the last 15 minutes or so, but this might depend on your stove. Dish it up and add your toppings. Serves 1 (how sad).

The Clif bar acts as the pie crust, and the MimiCreme gives it a really rich "whipped cream" flavor. The coconut isn't too overpowering, but it's definitely there. If you like coconut, definitely give this a try. Let me know how it turns out and if you make any modifications. I've also tried this with a chocolate brownie Clif Zbar, and it was a match for German Chocolate Cake! Don't get too excited though -- if you're expecting ice cream or dessert from a bowl of oats, you're not going to get it from this recipe. It's sweet, but perfect for breakfast and keeps me full for hours. =)

*No ice cream was harmed during this made-up tantrum. Obviously. ;)

Whipped Banana Oatmeal a la Kath

It's Tuesday and I haven't had dinner yet. But I'm already dreaming about Wednesday's breakfast:

Use the word "whipped" to describe food, and I immediately think fluffycloudmarshmallowawesomeness. Luckily, this meal lives up to the expectations -- albeit in a healthy, wholesome way. All the credit goes to Kath Eats Real Food for this one, although I don't follow the recipe exactly (no chia seeds, etc.). Try it and thank me for pointing you in the right direction. ;)