My favorite healthy meal

About a year ago when I first started eating healthy I was ALWAYS hungry. And when that happens, it makes it easier to eat something not so healthy. I would prepare this whole meal, eat and feel satisfied for like ten minutes, then hungry. Every single time. On top of that a lot of what I was eating was taking a really long time to prepare and to still feel that hungry after eating it? The whole process started to feel worthless.

But, I am happy to report now I have figured it out. I have the perfect meal I eat almost every single day (sometimes twice a day, seriously) and I can’t get enough of it. And when I’m finished it feels like I just ate a MEAL. I feel full! It’s honestly the best thing, and did I mention it’s one of the easiest and quickest meals to prepare? Sold!

I start with this Power to the greens mix.

 

Then I add these chopped veggies. I LOVE them.

Then I top both with hot quinoa.

And about half a cup of this salsa. I LOVE this stuff. I think it pairs perfectly with the quinoa and the veggies.

I also add a little but of this dressing to the rim of the plate, probably about two tablespoons.

 

Sometimes I add chicken, goat cheese, avocado, roasted sweet potatoes, etc.

I normally eyeball all the ingredients but here’s about what I use:

2 cups greens.

3 cups veggie mix

1 cup quinoa

1/2 cup “cowboy caviar” or black bean salsa

2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette.

Layer all ingredients on a plate, then I mix it together as I go along.

 

 

And that’s it! Anyone have any favorite healthy recipes to share? Let me know!

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don’t remember where I came across the recipe, I’ve had a print screen of it on my phone for the last year or so and I decided it was finally time to try it out. They definitely did not disappoint. The outside is crispy while the inside stays gooey and soft. The only tip I have for these is to pull them out and leave them on the pan when the outside is a bit golden brown. It’s pretty easy to cook them too long.

Here is the recipe!

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup shortening (I used Crisco)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups of chocolate chips(I used dark chocolate)
sea salt

preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the shortening, butter, vanilla, sugars, and egg until fluffy. Add dry ingredients except the sea salt and mix until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and drop onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with sea salt before baking. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the outer edge is brown. Let sit on pan for a few minutes, then enjoy!!

Chili Recipe

Lately, it’s been feeling like fall around here. The leaves are turning, the mornings are crisp. This doesn’t happen often in Texas so as of now I am taking full advantage of it.
Last night I made chili. I knew the ingredients I wanted in it but couldn’t find a recipe with exactly what I wanted so I decided to wing it. And it was gooooood.

Alex and I like it spicy and thick so you may want to add more tomato sauce/ cut back on the pepper.

“Chili” Recipe

1 pound of ground beef or turkey, browned.
half an onion
3 big garlic cloves
bell pepper (I used orange)
1 16 oz. can of tomato sauce
1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 can of black beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of corn
Cumin
Cayenne pepper
Chili pepper
salt and pepper to taste.

After browning the beef, drain, then add the onion, garlic and bell pepper. Let the veggies get fragrant, and add the sauce, tomatoes, beans and corn. You can definitely substitute the beans for a different kind, we just picked the ones we liked and went with it. Then add your spices, like I said we like our spicy so I added a about a half of teaspoon of cumin, teaspoon of cayenne, and two teaspoons of chili. Can be served after thirty minutes or so but I let it simmer for two hours. Also made mini corn muffins to go with it and it was perfect. Enjoy!

Two New Favorite Recipes

Lately, I have been way too lazy when it comes to making meals. I’m big about just throwing things together, sometimes it works; other times it is a disaster. I’m working now on a specific plan for each day of the week and going shopping on Sundays so I KNOW I have everything I need for recipes and then I can’t make any excuses. It’s been going really great actually, I feel like I’m spending less money by only buying the things I need to get through the week plus, I’m ACTUALLY using my Pinterest and not just mindlessly pinning away things that never end up getting made. 

The first recipe I would like to share is seriously my most favorite thing in the whole world. It’s an avocado tuna open-faced sandwich. I randomly came up with this one night when I was trying to think of a way to eliminate the mayonnaise from tuna, and I also wanted to bring avocado to the table. I use cottage cheese but you could always substitute more mashed avocado with the tuna if that’s not your thing. Plus the kick that the cayenne pepper adds to the top just makes the sandwich for me. 

Avocado Tuna Open- Faced Sandwich

You will need:
-2 slices Ezekiel sprouted bread (or any kind you have on hand)
-One small can of Tuna
-2 Tablespoon Cottage cheese
-Slice of Ultra thin 40 calorie provolone cheese
-Half an avocado (1/4 will be mashed with the tuna)
-ground cayenne pepper
I also add some chopped up onions and garlic powder, can omit if you would like. 

Add the tuna, cottage cheese(it’s really really good, trust me) and a fourth of the avocado together in a small bowl. 
Toast two slices of bread, then add tuna. I normally have enough to make three open faced sandwiches, but how much tuna you use is up to you. Then add your cheese and toast it some more to melt. Top with the rest of your avocado and sprinkle cayenne pepper across the top. That’s it!

And seriously, I love this. It’s filling and nutritious! Definitely my favorite lunch. (okay, okay, and dinner…)

The second recipe is a Thai Quinoa Salad. I found it on Pinterest and decided to try it out for dinner last night. Honestly, Alex wasn’t a fan but I thought it was extremely delicious. 

Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad With Ginger Peanut Dressing

Adapted from  Ambitious Kitchen 

-One cup uncooked Qunioa

-1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

-1-2 cups shredded red or green cabbage
-1 red bell pepper, diced (I used orange)
-1/2 red onion, diced
-1 cup shredded carrots
-1/2 cup chopped cilantro
-1/4 cup diced green onions
-1/2 cup raw cashews
-1 cup chickpeas
-Fresh lime, to squeeze over the top

For the dressing:
-1/4 cup natural peanut butter ( I used PB2)
-2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
-3 tablespoon soy sauce
-1 tablespoon Honey
-1 tablespoon vinegar
-1 teaspoon sesame oil (I just used 2 teaspoons olive oil)
-1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

To cook quinoa: Rinse quinoa with cold water in mesh strainer. In a medium saucepan, heat your coconut oil then add quinoa until toasted and nutty smelling. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa has absorbed all of the water. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa with fork; place in large bowl and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. 

To make dressing: Add peanut butter and honey to a medium microwave safe bowl; heat in microwave for 20 seconds. Add in ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and both sesame and olive oil and stir or whisk until mixture is smooth and creamy. If you want a thinner dressing, simply stir in a teaspoon or two of water or olive oil. 

Add the dressing to the quinoa. Next, fold in red pepper, onion, cabbage, and carrots into the quinoa. Garnish with cashews and green onions, plus a squeeze of lime. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

To me, this was a really filling and awesome recipe. I loved the bite of the red cabbage and all the flavors blended together, plus none of the vegetables were cooked so you’re getting all the nutrients from them. Amazing! 

Oh, and if you’re interested here is a link to my Healthy board on Pinterest, I have some great recipes on there(which I WILL eventually get around to making..).

 Anyone have any recipes that I should try? Let me know!