Tag Archives: dinner

Mar 31 2013
8 Comments
Blogging

March Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

The Lean Green Bean

If you haven’t already noticed, I LOVE to go crazy with themes.  Whether it is for Lindsay’s Foodie Pen Pal Program, or a birthday party, if there is a need for a theme, I am there 150%.  So after all the fun I had last month with my Valentine’s Day box, I was excited to throw something together for St. Patrick’s Day.  See what I put together for Brie over at A Foodie’s Recipe Box.

This is my fifth month participating in the Foodie Pen Pal Program, and it is fun, fun, fun! If you want to learn more, check out my first Foodie Pen Pal Post.  It will give you all the details you need to know to sign up :)
For the month of March, I received my package from Katie of Baking and Swimming.  She put together a small collection of her favorite things which ended up being a perfect balance between sweet treats and heathy snacks.
FPP March
Most of what Katie packed in the box was new to me (except for the Girl Scout Cookies, of course).  So each and every bite was an adventure.
I was most excited to try the White Chocolate Peanut Butter.  I have seen so many different versions of this stuff around the blogosphere but have never had the pleasure of picking up a jar for myself.  And let me tell you, this stuff is AWESOME!  Pretty much tastes like Nutter Butters, especially when you spread it on graham crackers.  Divine :)  And to wash it down I took a sip of the Sparkling ICE Pomegranate Blueberry flavored water.  So delicious and refreshing!  I am going to have to be on the lookout for this stuff.  All of their flavors sound amazing.
Next, Harper and I dug into the Peanut Butter filled Pretzels and Girl Scout Cookies (though not at the same time).  Both were scrumptious and a big hit with the entire family.
Katie also included a few meals of convenience, which as a mommy of an adorable toddler and a part time music teacher, I extremely appreciate these days.  Since Katie is from Texas and is a self-proclaimed Tex-Mex lover, she sent me a package of her favorite tortilla soup mix.  I am looking forward to jazzing this up with some shredded rotisserie chicken and topping it off with some grated cheese and sour cream….yum!  Katie also sent me her favorite muffin mix for an easy breakfast on the go.  This is going to be a great activity for Harper and I to enjoy together.  All you need to do is add water and bake.  Doesn’t get more simple than that :)
Finally, Katie indulged my S’mores addiction by sending me a delicious and nutritious Pure Protein Bar (which came in very handy the other day when Harper took an unexpected nap in the car on the way to the grocery store.  Hungry mama locked in the car until sleeping baby wakes = potentially cranky mama.  Thank God for snack stashes!).
Thanks Katie for an awesome box! I hope your pen pal was as generous to you as you were to me :)

Interested in becoming a Foodie Pen Pal? CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. Who knows, I might be your next Foodie PenPal :)

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Mar 27 2013
17 Comments
CSA Box

What’s in the Box? #67

What's in the Box? We are busy getting ready for Easter around here, which includes dying batches of hardboiled eggs.  This year, I thought it would be fun to include Harper and her buddy Robin in this process.  However, our egg dying quickly turned into a color mixing experiment.

Dying Easter Eggs

Thank God I had the wisdom to set everything up outside.  I can’t imagine what my kitchen table would look like!  But that’s what hanging with toddlers is all about.  Lots of laughing, lots of learning and lots of messes.

In addition to hardboiled eggs, a proper spread will be in order for Sunday’s brunch as well.  So let’s take a look at last week’s party for some inspiration, shall we?

Last week we had 10 link ups.  And let’s hope none of you are currently on the Paleo diet because last week it was all about the carbs.  There was a nice variety of fresh pizza ideas including Asparagus with Prosciutto, Broccoli and Cheddar, and Mushroom with Caramelized Onions and Gorgonzola.  Yum!  But the fun didn’t stop there.  Lettuce Never Squash Our Love linked up a Pasta with Spinach and Butternut Squash.  Divine!  Yeah, it was a good week :)  Thank you to everyone who participated.  Your delicious and nutritious dishes never cease to amaze me.

Moving on to my farm fresh goodies for this week…

What's in the Box? #67

As I mentioned yesterday, in my sleepy slurred speech, I got my box on Tuesday this week.  They had to do a bit of rearranging with the routes which bumped my delivery up a day.  Yeah me!  Only time will tell if I will be able to change my blogging routine up a day earlier.  Stay tuned for that.

Upon opening my box, I immediately began to devour each and every item with my eyes.  For starters, the fennel, garlic, onion and orange were thrown into some Braised Pork with Orange and Fennel for dinner yesterday.  I had pretty much everything I needed except for the meat which made my trip to the grocery store quick and easy (and cheap too!).

After the success of the strawberry cake I bragged about last week (recipe coming soon…promise), I might have to go for round two.  We have plans to go to a few Easter gatherings this weekend and it is sure to be a real crowd pleaser.

I never got around to making any of my carrot sweets (these or these) last week because I was too busy stuffing my face with How I Ate My Box’s Chicken, Carrot and Leek Stew.  When I tell you this is the most amazing dish I have had in a long time…I am in no way exaggerating.  My whole family gobbled it up.  And then went back for seconds.  So you can be sure I will be making this again this week.  The hubby (who continued to ask me why I had never made this for him before) will be VERY pleased :)  And it will be even better served with a green salad on the side jazzed up with some of those lovely apples.

For the sage I am thinking about making my dad’s famous chicken.  I am pretty sure I owe you a recipe on this one I just never seem to be able to snap a pic before everyone digs in.  It’s just soooooo good :)  I will do my best to get it done this time around.

And finally for the arugula, I am thinking about some Grilled Steak Soft Tacos.  It has been a while since I have made this and after reminding myself of how good it looks simply from the picture, I can’t wait until dinner tomorrow night :)

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Mar 12 2013
6 Comments
Cooking

Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

Beef and Butternut Squash Stew - In Her Chucks

After what seemed like a pretty cold winter for us Californians, the temps are finally starting to rise.  The days are getting longer and spring is just around the corner.  But I can’t say goodbye to winter without sharing a great stew recipe that is sure to warm you up from the inside out.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

2 pounds stew beef, cut into 2-inch cubes

1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup Marsala wine

1 pound butternut squash, trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

3 to 4 cups beef broth

2 tablespoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

In a large soup pot heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onions, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and sauté until the onions are tender, about 2 minutes.  Toss the beef cubes in salt and pepper and flour.  Turn up the heat to med-high and add the beef to the pot.  Cook until the beef is browned and golden around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the Marsala wine.  Using a wooden spoon, gently stir up all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.  Add the butternut squash and sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine.  Add enough beef broth to just cover the beef and squash.  Bring the stew to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.  Season the stew with additional salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Recipe from Giada De Leurentiis via FoodNetwork.com

The flavors in this stew are incredible.  You have the sweetness of the squash, the rich smokey flavor of the Marsala wine and of course the fresh aromas of the rosemary and thyme.  And like most soups and stews, this dish is even better the next day once the flavors have had the chance to meld together even more.

As excited as I am to start breaking out my shorts and flip-flops in anticipation for beach weather, I am going to miss the hearty and delicious comfort foods of the colder months.  What are some of your favorite recipes to keep you warm during the winter?  Looking forward to reading your responses :)

PS:  Congratulations to Katie of Baking and Swimming for winning the 3 Month Subscription to Conscious Box!  Thank you so everyone who entered.  Stay tuned for more awesome giveaways coming your way soon :)

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Feb 27 2013
11 Comments
Blogging

Guest Post: February Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

The Lean Green Bean

As I mentioned in my original September Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Post, the Foodie Pen Pal Program is open to blog readers as well as bloggers.  This month I was paired with a blog reader named Caitlin House and was more than thrilled to pack up a box of goodies to send for her sixth Foodie Pen Pal experience.  Since Caitlin doesn’t have a blog of her own to share her goodies on (although I LOVE her writing and encourage her to start one), she has offered to write a short guest post about what she received (and she even included a few pics!).

So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Caitlin House…

From the moment I received Heather’s email letting me know that she was my Foodie PenPal match for February, I was thrilled.  She started off asking me loads of questions regarding my food and drink preferences.  This level of interest in my favorite things blew me away!  My favorite meal of the day? Brunch.  Do I prefer coffee or tea?  Love them both, will always love coffee more.

When my box arrived on Valentine’s Day, it was amazingly fitting for the love-filled holiday.  Heather put incredible thought and effort into the box she sent me.  It was stock full of delicious goodies and each item had a sweet hand-written note attached.

FebFPP

My favorite part of the box was the accompanying recipes (three in all!). There were recipes for the homemade Dried Cranberry Shortbread Hearts (taste amazing!), Tomato Basil Bisque to match the Hearts Crackers, and Heather’s own Homemade Tomato Sauce to serve with the Valentine Pasta.

Shortbread Hearts 2

Heather’s choices had amazing variety while still having certain items play off one another. The cranberry shortbread was amazing to eat along with a cup of the Red Velvet Coffee. And for a truly relaxing pairing, I loved the Lori’s Ojai Lavender Lemonade and a piece of Strong Dark Chocolate by Chocolove. YUM.  FoodiePenPal Feb Collage

And to cover my brunching addiction, Heather sent me granola that tastes like dessert!  I seriously cannot keep my hands out of the bag of Love Crunch, a sweet granola with dark chocolate, strawberries, and raspberries. In fact, my hand is navigating from keyboard to bag as I type…

Overall, Heather made this month my most memorable FPP, yet!  Her thoughtful box went above and beyond in delivering new-to-me treats, fun recipes I can recreate, and wonderfully sweet and personal touches.  She even sent a “love” cookie cutter, so I can put a little extra love in my next cooking adventure. Thanks so much, Heather!

FebFPP Love

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Feb 26 2013
12 Comments
Cooking

Tomato Basil Bisque

Tomato Basil Bisque - In Her Chucks

I am a meat eater through and through.  No meal is complete without a big lump of protein on my plate.  So when I went through my Fresh Start Challenge meal plan and saw that there was a vegetarian soup on the menu, I was skeptical.  I mean, I love veggies, and I love soup, but can’t we toss some chicken in there to boost up the heartiness factor?  Well let me just say, this soup is perfect just as it is!  Not only was it incredibly delicious, but it was definitely hearty!  The quinoa and goat cheese help to bulk up the texture and give it enough protein to keep you full and satisfied without weighing you down.

Ingredients

4 large carrots, chopped,

1 medium onion, chopped

2 tsp Tamari

2 tbsp coconut oil, divided

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

28 oz can whole tomatoes, drained

1 cup organic marinara sauce

1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 tsp honey

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

1/4 tsp Celtic Sea Salt (more or less to taste)

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Dashes of dried thyme, rosemary and oregano

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 cups chicken broth

Prepared quinoa

Goat cheese

Preparation

1.  In a large soup pot, heat the Tamari and 1 tbsp coconut oil over med-high heat.

2.  Stir in the chopped onions, celery and bell peppers and sauté for about 5 minutes before adding the garlic, carrots and about 1/2 cup chicken.  Sauté another 5 minutes.

3.  Add the tomatoes, coconut milk, basil, broth, salt, marinara sauce and remaining spices (wait to add the remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil and nutritional yeast until the very end before pureeing).

4.  Let soup come to a boil and cook on low-med heat for about 1/2 hour, allowing all of the flavors to meld together.

5.  Pour all of the contents from the soup pan into a blender, along with 1 tbsp coconut oil and the nutritional yeast.  Blend on high for about 30 seconds until smooth and creamy.

6.  Portion out soup into bowls and add prepared quinoa, mix until combined.  Top with crumbled goat cheese.

Recipe slightly adapted from Amazing Grass:  Fresh Start Challenge

What I love most about this dish is how super duper easy it is to make.  Just throw everything in a pot, let it hang out for a bit and then toss it in the blender.  And with enough soup for 4-5 servings, there is plenty to share or hide away in the freezer for later ;)

PS:  Congratulations to Tiffany T for winning the Amazing Grass Giveaway!  And a big thank you to everyone who participated.  Cheers to a Fresh Start!

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Feb 18 2013
27 Comments
Health

Fresh Start: The Final Days & a Giveaway!

It’s hard to believe just two short weeks ago I began this Fresh Start Challenge.  The time has flown by but I am feeling better than ever.

But now that the challenge is over, where do we go from here?

The most important thing to take away from this challenge is the lifestyle changes that will last beyond the two weeks.  This includes a commitment to choose fresh, raw foods that will help fuel my body, giving me the energy I need to get through my days.  I am fortunate enough to get a weekly delivery of local and organic produce to support this goal.

I am grateful for the variety of delicious recipes I picked up during this challenge.  I am looking forward to sharing them with you and making them a regular staple in our weekly meal plans.  I am also excited about the new ingredients such as coconut oil and Celtic Sea Salt that I am not only aware of but a big fan of thanks to this challenge.

Here’s a look at my last few days of eats during the Fresh Start Challenge…

Day 121.  First Thing:   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  In addition to all the yummy recipes I learned during this challenge, I am most grateful for being introduced to this delicious and energizing drink.  It has become such an important part of my daily routine and I look forward to continuing it beyond the challenge.

2.  Breakfast: Fruit Salad with Walnuts and Dates-  Starting my day out with a fresh bowl of fruit topped with nuts really puts a smile on my face.  It was a great excuse to enjoy some more of  those fresh strawberries that came in my box this week as well as the leftover bananas from all the pudding.  Refreshing and delicious.

3.  Lunch:  Goat Cheese Quesadilla-  The plan for lunch today was supposed to be a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup but since I didn’t have time to make it the night before, I settled for another Goat Cheese Quesadilla…which was amazing!  I layered in some leftover sautéed kale which helped to make this a well-rounded and filling meal.

4.  Snack:  Raw Coconut Fudge-  This snack was actually on the menu for Day 10, but I neglected to read the directions which suggested you soak the nuts for 6-8 hours.  So I soaked the nuts and then made it on Day 11, but again neglected to read the directions that suggest chilling the fudge for 2-3 hours.  So I had to wait until today to enjoy it.  Luckily, it was worth the wait.  And I am excited to share the recipe with you soon.

5.  Dinner:  Baked Salmon with Sautéed Kale-  Believe it or not, I was so busy Friday, I completely forgot to eat dinner.  I happened to be talking to my mom around 10pm and I noticed that I was unusually hungry.  Luckily, I had this salmon marinating in the fridge and my mom walked me through cooking it in the oven while we were on the phone (usually I refer to google for such a thing but since I have Verizon, I can’t talk and surf).

6.  Snack:  Young Coconut-  After such a yummy and flavorful meal, this was the perfect way to cleanse my palate.  I always save the coconut water for the following day (way better than bottled) and then scrape off the meat from the walls using a spoon.  A great way to end the evening.

Day 13

1.  First Thing:   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  The Amazing Meal is delicious enough to drink with coconut water or your milk of choice, but can be easily added to your favorite smoothie.  It is a wonderful way to jump-start your body in the morning or can also serve as a pre or post workout snack.  The possibilities are endless :)

2.  Breakfast:  Naturally Sweetened Goat Yogurt-  I went ahead and tried another new flavor today and to be honest, it’s not nearly as good as the strawberry or the mango.  It’s not terrible, but without the fruit to mask the pungent goat milk flavor, it was a little tart for my liking.  Especially first thing in the morning.  So for now on, I am sticking with the flavors I like best.

3.  Lunch:  Lettuce Wraps Stuffed with Tuna Salad-  Choosing to wrap your sandwiches in lettuce instead of bread is an easy and delicious way to cut back on processed grains.  Since I had gestational diabetes while pregnant with Harper, this was the only way I could enjoy my lunch most days.  And to be honest, I have come to prefer eating my sandwiches wrapped in lettuce now.

4.  Snack:  Apple Topped with Peanut Butter-  Knowing that we were going to be out and about running errands, I got my snack all ready to go before we left the house.  When the time came for me to enjoy it, I realized I had left it on the kitchen counter…darn!  Enter Trader Joes…they always come through :)  Bought a bag of organic sliced apples and a new jar of unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter and snack was served!

5.  Dinner:  Black Bean Tostada-  I am in LOVE with these beans.  If you thought I was into beans before, these beans take the cake.  This will definitely be a recipe I plan to share…once I make a new batch of them ;)

6.  Snack:  Almond Milk Ice Cream-  Sometimes, ice cream just tastes better out of a carton.  And this almond milk frozen dessert is no different.  Since there was only a few bites left anyways I decided to skip the bowl and just grab a spoon.  PS:  I am totally hooked on this stuff!

Day 14

1.   First Thing:   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  To think this whole journey started with one green drink…For those of you out there who are skeptical about this cup of greens, I encourage you to give it a try.  If you like the taste of fresh juiced greens, they offer an original flavor and for those of your who prefer something sweet, why not try a vanilla chai or chocolate?

2.  Breakfast:  Raw Steel Cut Oats-  I don’t know about you, but whenever I eat cereal with fruit, there has to be an equal fruit to cereal ratio on my spoon.  And when the fruit is all gone but there is still cereal left?  Better slice up some more fruit so I can enjoy the rest of the cereal.  Does that mean that instead of eating Raw Steel Cut Oats with fruit, I am really eating fruit with Raw Steel Cut Oats?

3.  Lunch:  Tomato Basil Bisque-  I finally had time to whip up a fresh batch of this amazing soup.  And then proceeded to eat two bowls of it.  It is just so darn tasty!  I have plans to post the recipe later this week so stay tuned.

4.  Snack:  Naturally Sweetened Goat Yogurt-  After an unsuccessful experience with the Vanilla, I went back to my old faithful, Apricot Mango.  And it really was the perfect snack while I was in the midst of prepping dinner.  Soooo creamy :)

5.  Dinner: Stir-fry Chicken and Vegetables with Soba Noodles-  It’s not often that I eat pasta, but since I haven’t eaten it in nearly 2 weeks, I was very excited about this meal.  And the recipe delivered!  Silky soba noodles, tossed with green onions, red bell pepper and diced chicken drenched in a homemade cilantro peanut sauce, this dish is a definite winner.

6.  Dessert:  Kombucha-  I have never jumped aboard the Kombucha train.  I guess I just don’t know much about it.  But this delicious drink was a great way to end the evening.  It was tasty and refreshing and has loads of health benefits.  Might just have to get hip to the Kombucha craze.

And with that, the 2 week Fresh Start Challenge is complete.  It was a wonderful journey and I truly learned a lot about how to make better choices in the food I eat.  Plus, I have more than enough recipes and ideas to keep me going down the right path.

Now it’s your turn for a Fresh Start.  The generous folks over at Amazing Grass have offered to giveaway 1, 15 serving bottle of Amazing Meal to one of my faithful readers.

To enter: “Like” Amazing Grass  and In Her Chucks on Facebook and leave a comment telling me that you have done so.

For additional entries…

1.  Subscribe to this blog and leave a comment telling me you have done so.  If you already subscribe to my blog, then leave me a comment telling me that you are already subscribed (and thanks for the support!).

2.  Follow @amazinggrass on Twitter and leave a comment on this post letting me know you’ve done so.

3.  Follow Amazing Grass on Pinterest and leave a comment on this post letting me know you’ve done so.

4.   Pin this giveaway and comment here with a link to your post.

The more entries you have, the better your chances are to win.  The giveaway will close at 12:01 am on February 25th.  A winner will be randomly selected and announced on February 26th.  Make sure to include your email address with your comment so that I can contact you if you win.

Good luck!

*Full Disclosure:  Amazing Grass provided me with one bottle of Amazing Meal free of charge.  I was not paid to write this post. With exception of some of the factual information given about the various products, all opinions regarding the products are my own and 100% honest.

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Feb 15 2013
4 Comments
Health

Fresh Start: Day 10 & 11

Happy Valentine’s Day!  Hope your love holiday was filled with lots of hugs, kisses and chocolate ;)

As for me, Valentine’s Day was spent with my two loves.  Breakfast with little Harper Do while Freddie was at the dentist.  Family cuddles during a midday nap.  A post nap music session in the living room (Freddie played the drums while Harper and I danced, sang and shook the maracas).  A daddy/daughter swim class while mommy prepared a healthy dinner at home.  And we ended the night with a fresh batch of Valentine’s day cookies for my big cookie monster (ps: that would be Freddie…)

Oh, and did I mention that today, Freddie and I are celebrating our 4 year anniversary?  4 years of love, laughter and the Lakers…Where has the time gone?

One of the many things I have to give Freddie credit for is my ability to cook.  You see, before we got married, I had little to no experience in the kitchen.  But once we were man and wife, I realized I had better find a way to get food on the table.  Because we all know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.  And four year’s later, he still hurries to the table when dinner is called.  Which means, I must be doing something right :)

And tonight was no different.  Instead of a fancy dinner at a crowded restaurant, Freddie, Harper and I enjoyed a healthy meal in the comfort of our own home.  Check out what we munched on…

Day 10a

1.  First Thing:   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  Who needs a red bull or coffee when you have organic, raw greens?  I kicked my caffeine habit when I got pregnant with Harper (in fact, you really don’t want to see me on caffeine anymore, talk about jumping off the walls…) so this is a great alternative to a morning, or afternoon pick me up.

2.  Breakfast:  Apple and Cheese Tortilla-  I have made brie and apple quesadillas before but I never thought about eating them for breakfast.  Well, Harper and I are huge fans of this new idea of apple and goat cheese quesadillas for breakfast. They were a huge hit!  I can see this one going on repeat once the challenge is completed.

3.  Lunch:  Brown Rice Sushi-  Another quick trip to Whole Foods for some tuna and avocado sushi.  I was hoping I could make it to the sushi restaurant in time but Harper was ready for her nap so I wasn’t going to push it.  In fact, she fell asleep minutes after we got in the car.  So I enjoyed my sushi in the front seat while Harper snoozed.

4.  Snack: Amazing Grass Bar-  Ok, I know every time I eat one of these I tell you it’s my favorite.  But seriously, this one IS my favorite.  I love almonds and like the label reads, this bar is all about the almonds.  I have to pick up a case of these next time I am at the store.

5.  Dinner:  Baked Salmon with Sautéed Kale-  Throwing a filet of fish in the oven is so easy and so yummy, I wish I did it more often.  This meal plan has a lot of fish recipes and I love each and every one of them.  We are so lucky to live close to the water where fish is being caught and sold in less than an hour.  There is nothing quite like a fresh filet of fish with a side of delicious veggies.

6.  Snack:  Avo-Banana Pudding with Fruit-  If there is anything better than pudding, it’s pudding topped with fresh berries.  And after being spoiled for the last few weeks with fresh strawberries, I hope they are here to stay.

Day 11a

1.  First Thing:   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  Nothing says love like starting your day out with a green drink.  And as much as I adore my reusable straw, today I had to show my Valentine’s spirit with a bright red straw.

2.  Breakfast:  Peanut Butter on Eziekel Bread Topped with Apples-  When Freddie and I first got married, one of my go to breakfast options was a whole wheat english muffin topped with peanut butter and apples.  I love apples and nut butter together anyways, and the toast just makes it that much easier to marry the two flavors together.

3.  Lunch:  Veggie Sandwich Wrap- I have a confession.  This is the first sandwich wrap I have ever made.  And I had a blast experimenting with all the different ingredients.  For starters, I used a sprouted tortilla for the base.  Then I spread a layer of avocado topped with grated goat cheddar and carrots.  On top of that I added a layer of thinly sliced chicken breast followed by broccoli sprouts and spinach leaves.  Talk about filling!  Not only was it oozing with delicious goodness, it gave me the energy I needed to get through the day.

4.  Snack: Edamame-  Edamame is one of my favorite snacks.  They are easy, healthy and can be found at Trader Joes (I love all things TJS!).  I like to sprinkle them with salt, dip them in tamari or simply eat them as is.

5.  Dinner: Asian Salad with Chicken-  A good salad dressing will change your life.  And for me, nothing is better than a homemade dressing.  With ingredients like fresh squeezed orange juice, sesame seeds and minced ginger, this Chinese inspired salad dressing is the bees-nees.

6.  Snack:  Almond Milk Ice Cream-  Another day of ice cream?  Don’t mind if I do :)  Might have finished off the carton, but hey…it’s Valentine’s Day!

Can’t believe that I only have a few more days left of this challenge.  This is by far my favorite meal plan yet.  Not only has it provided me with tons of new ideas for healthy meals, but it has taught me so much about the value of food and the importance of making the choice to eat whole, raw and organic foods.

Wanna join me in turning over a new leaf?  Check out Amazing Grass’s Two Week Challenge and commit this new year to creating a new you :)

*Full Disclosure:  Amazing Grass provided me with one bottle of Amazing Meal free of charge.  I was not paid to write this post. With exception of some of the factual information given about the various products, all opinions regarding the products are my own and 100% honest.

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Feb 13 2013
5 Comments
Health

Fresh Start: Day 7, 8 & 9 & WIAW #16

I might as well apologize from the start.  I am about to dump 3 full days of meals on your lap.  It’s a bit much for one post, but my busy behind has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off the last few days and therefore there has been minimal computer time.  The good news is, this post is jam-packed with delicious and nutritious food that is sure to inspire you to eat clean.

So instead of wasting time on small talk today, let’s move straight to the grub, shall we?

Day 7

1.  First Thing:  Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  After a whole week of beginning my mornings with a green drink, I am LOVING this new addition to my daily routine.  It really does get the day started on the right foot and its delicious to boot :)

2.  Breakfast: Naturally Sweetened Goat Yogurt-  I promised myself I would try a new flavor and this strawberry is delicious!  I think we have a tie between this flavor and the mango.  I am liking this idea of branching out…I wonder what I will try next?

3.  Lunch: Sprouted Tortilla with Goat Cheese and Mixed Veggies-  Definitely my favorite lunch so far.  It has been on the menu a lot the last week but I don’t mind a bit.  This time I topped it with some leftover veggies from the stir fry.  It was divine!

4.  Snack:  Amazing Grass Bar-  Even though I quickly fell in love with the Chocolate Amazing Grass bar, this Chocolate Peanut Butter has taken its place.  I scarfed it down in a matter of seconds.  I can’t wait to run to the store to stock up on some more.

5.  Dinner: Salmon and Veggie Kabobs-  I had never made kabobs in the oven before but since Freddie was gone on a business trip, and he is the ultimate grill man, I had to get creative.  Luckily they turned out great.  Although I owe all the credit to the amazing marinade.  You can’t go wrong when you are dousing fish and veggies in tamari, coconut oil, honey, rice wine vinegar, cilantro and sesame seeds :)  The combo is pure heaven.

6.  Snack:  Almond Milk Ice Cream-  When I read that I could enjoy a bowl of non dairy ice cream, I nearly flipped.  I have such a weakness for ice cream it’s not even funny.  Maybe we need to just straight up label it an addiction.  So I do my best to stay away from the parts of town where the 31 Flavors and Cold Stone’s are located.  I was also slightly doubtful that this non dairy ice cream could tickle my fancy…but it totally did.

Day 8

1.  First Thing:  Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  I have officially started week 2 and I am feeling great about this fresh start.  I am also proud of myself that I finally remembered to use my reusable straw from Simply Straws.  Working on new habits in all areas of my life :)

2.  Breakfast: Avo-Banana Pudding with Berries-  Pudding for breakfast?  Yes, please!  Making up for all those times I wanted chocolate pudding for breakfast when I was a kid.  Although if I had asked my mom for this rendition, she would have gladly served it to me.

3.  Lunch:  Asian Salad with Fresh Tuna and Avocado-  Another fresh batch of tuna made, another fresh batch of tuna devoured. The nuts, the avocado, the salad dressing, all adds to the incredibly delicious experience that is my lunch.

4.  Snack:  Apple Slices with Almond Butter-  I really do love the fresh almond butter that you can make at the store.  It’s so much more nuttier and lot less pasty than what you buy in the jars.  I should rename this “Almond Butter with Apple Slices” as the fruit is merely a vehicle to shovel more almond butter in my mouth.

5.  Dinner: Kidney Bean Tostada-  It’s official, I am a refried kidney bean lover.  From dried bulk beans to pure bliss, I am so happy with the way these beans turned out.  It was definitely time intensive (12-15 hours of soaking, another 30 minutes of simmering before they were even ready to hit the skillet), but it was totally worth it.  I sautéed mine with garlic, green onions and bell pepper and also added in some fresh corn and cilantro.  Spread it on a sprouted tortilla and topped it with fresh veggies and avocado.  Yum, yum, yum!

6.  Snack:  Almond Milk Ice Cream-   Loving that I get to eat ice cream two days in a row.  Feels so naughty, but then again, it feels so nice.  I can’t say that it tastes like “real” ice cream, because it doesn’t, it tastes like Almond Milk Ice Cream, but I am an almond milk lover so it works out well.

day 91.   Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal mixed with Coconut Water-  What makes Amazing Grass’s Amazing Meal so Amazing is that their greens are raw, organic and infused with delicious flavors.  Did I mention that they are vegan, Non GMO, Gluten, Soy and Dairy free too?

2.  Breakfast: Egg White Scramble-  Another delicious morning of veggie packed eggs.  I used an orange bell pepper this time and was loving the minor change.  Also, no tomatoes this time as I forgot to pick one up at the store last night :(  Although it was still a killer way to start the day.

3.  Lunch:  Spinach and Hummus Pita with Goat Cheese- This sandwich was super!  I tried it with some shredded goat cheese cheddar and was loving both the taste and texture.  Next time, I am going to add a handful of sprouts and maybe some grated carrot to the mix.

4.  Snack: Fruit Salad with Shredded Coconut-  Mangos, raspberries, blueberries, bananas and strawberries with a handful of coconut flakes…might as well take me to the Caribbean.  This fruit salad was everything I needed this afternoon and more.  Forget about anything else, I could easily live on fruit alone.

5.  Dinner: Halibut Burger-  I have never tried fresh fish in a sandwich or burger before.  But I love fish in tacos and figured a burger might be a similar experience.  These were out of this world delicious!  I started by cutting up the fish in small pieces and mashed it with a potato masher.  I added in some lime juice, egg, cilantro, green onion and seasonings and pan fried it with coconut oil.  I only wish Freddie was here to taste it.  This might even rival my turkey burger recipe.  Looking forward to sharing the recipe with you soon.

6.  Snack:  Piece of Dark Chocolate-  Need I say more?  Except that I didn’t eat the entire bar.  Just a few pieces.  It was just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy my after dinner dessert craving.

Now can you see why I haven’t had much computer time?  I have been too busy preparing and eating these amazing meals :)

Wanna join me in turning over a new leaf?  Check out Amazing Grass’s Two Week Challenge and commit this new year to creating a new you :)

*Full Disclosure:  Amazing Grass provided me with one bottle of Amazing Meal free of charge.  I was not paid to write this post. With exception of some of the factual information given about the various products, all opinions regarding the products are my own and 100% honest.

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