Garlic Gold Addiction

What an amazing weekend. We really didn't do much but for some reason I couldn't find time to blog.

When I uploaded these pictures I realized how much time we spent together as a family this weekend. No wonder I was so happy. We did have anything planned or scheduled. Just hanging out and doing whatever we felt like.

We did need dog food and on a whim got squirrelly a goldfish.

She named her Louise.  Where she comes up with stuff I'll never know!

Grilling bison burgers just might be an every weekend thing.  I deprive my poor carnivore husband of meat all week so he seems to want to go all out on the weekend. 

Round two was just as good... We did sharp white cheddar, onion, and dill mayo (just mayo, fresh dill, lemon juice). 

Our sides this time were sauteed kale and grilled asparagus.

Last week Julie over at Garlic Gold sent me some samples to try.


We used the parmesan nuggets on the asparagus.


Holy moly.

I cannot wait to try the rest of the Garlic Gold samples.  It was incredible.  I've been sprinkling it on EVERYTHING.

I really don't think I'm going to get tired of bison burgers...


For dessert we had raw strawberry oat bars from Whole Living.


• 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
• 1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts
• 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
• Pinch sea salt
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced

Pulse dates, nuts, oats, and salt in a food processor until combined.

Press the date mixture into the bottom of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.

Mash half the strawberries and spread on top of date mixture. Top with remaining strawberries. Slice into rectangles.

Those are SO good and I'll definitely make them again.

FOOD

Today's food was really boring compared to this weekend.

Breakfast was strawberry banana overnight oats and iced coffee.


1/3c rolled oats, 1/3c almond milk, 1T chias, 1/3c strawberries, and leftover banilla (prob 1/2c)


And lunch was veggie chicken nuggets (that have been in the freezer forever) on a wrap with 2% cheddar, lettuce, and lite ranch.  Plus broccoli with garlic gold and a salad to try out a new salad dressing recipe.


And a date for dessert. 


EXERCISE

Ran 2 miles on the treadmill at the gym.  It felt good to get my body moving after being sick.

Can you believe this week it will be July?!  Where is time going???

I hope you guys enjoyed your family this weekend!

Kale Kick

FOOD

I have been craving pancakes for breakfast for awhile now. We are always pretty busy in the morning so making pancakes is the last thing I want to do. The husband also doesn't like pancakes so we normally make eggs on the weekend. Plus I like pancakes when it's cold outside. And lately it's been HOT.

This morning though I broke down and made some. I used Kodiak Cakes mix and syrup.


I added almond milk and blueberries to the pancake mix.  Then topped them with earth balance spread and the marrionberry syrup.

Hit the spot.

After breakfast I started dinner.  Tonight we had mexican flatbreads.  I started the chicken in the crockpot.

Just 2 chicken breasts, a can of diced green chilis, taco seasoning, and about 1/2c water.  I normally do chicken broth but I didn't have any.  And sometimes I add salsa and taco sauce.  This recipe is a no fail one.  Put whatever mexican ingredients you want in it and cook it on low.  Easy. 

I make my own taco seasoning. Why not? I have all the spices and those packets you get at the store are full of junk. Of course I found the recipe on allrecipes.


1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Tastes just like the taco bell taco seasoning packet.

Lunch was leftoverrice and sauteed kale.

Awhile ago I made this recipe but now I just wing it.  I do that a lot.  Learn the concept and make it my own.

So for this kale I started some chopped onion in the pan with olive oil.  Then added a splash of water (again no broth) and a splash of red wine vinegar.  I added the kale and dried cranberries.  I let it simmer for a little bit.  Maybe 10 minutes.  Enough for the kale to be wilted.  Then I heated up some leftover rice, added the kale mix, and topped everything with sliced almonds.

This will be done again... and again... and probably again.  It was incredible.  I am loving kale right now.

So dinner...


Mexican flatbread.  Chicken from the crockpot, cheddar, red onion, blackbeans, and avocado.  The husband did them on the grill but you can easily do it in the oven.  


Check out this crust.

I did a Naan bread recipe for the flatbread crust.  Just used half whole wheat pastry flour and half all purpose flour.

EXERCISE

Getting ready to head out on a walk now with the hubs. I've won this cold battle. Almost feel 100% already!

Do you have a good kale recipe?

New Pasta

FOOD

Breakfast this morning required CIAB. I made up my own blog acronym appropriate for myself. Coffee in a bowl.  Plus pumpkin overnight oats.  (1/3c rolled oats, 1/3c banilla yogurt, 1/3c cottage cheese, 1/3c pumpkin, 1T chias).  Not sure if I like the cottage cheese in the mix.  It gave it a weird texture. 


I really don't like salads.  Except for this one.  I eat this combo a lot.  (Romaine, roasted sweet potato, crumbled veggie burger, feta + drizzles of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and honey).


This afternoon squirrelly-o played in the much needed rain...


While I made dinner.


Since it was just her and I tonight I tried something new... and vegan.  Can't try those with the hubs around.  I say the word vegan and he bolts.

I saw Angela's recipe for 15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta over at Eat Live Run.


It was really good!  Just evoo, avocado, garlic, basil, salt, lemon, and pasta.  It was similiar to pesto but creamy. 

Squirrel loved it.


EXERCISE

Working out has been put on the back burner.  I'm sick... I'm tired... Blah.  Hopefully tomorrow!

Do you try new healthy recipes on family members? 

Get Well Food

Sorry guys. I had to add that post yesterday. Especially after the downer post before that. Those cupcakes are one of the best things I've ever made...  Plus if you are gonna splurge make it good.  Really good.

Anyways,

Yesterday I started feeling awful. Like the body aches, stuffy nose, sore throat kinda thing. I'm not a meatloaf, mac-n-cheese, icecream kind of sick eater. I don't wallow in self sick pity and I don't seek comfort foods. I just want to get better and I know what my cure is.

When I'm sick I eat a crazy amount of fruits and veggies.  It may not make me feel better right away but it shortens the amount of time I'm sick.

Breakfast this morning was my sick breakfast. I've done this forever.

Tea, Amazing Grass with almond milk, and toast with honey and chias.

As soon as I start feeling sick I usually start the Amazing Grass.  Sometimes the sick feeling goes away.  Sometimes it doesn't.  This sickness hit me so suddenly that I didn't get to start.  I normally do 3 Amazing Grass shooters throughout the day when I'm sick.  I don't use it everyday because it's so expensive.  I just keep a tub in the freezer and use it for occasions like this. 

We went to the pool hoping fresh air would help.

It didn't.  The muggy, humid air made things worse.

When we got back I put the husband to work. 


He sauteed zucchini, onion, and kale in a pan.  Then added fresh tomato, sprouts, hummus, and laughing cow cheese.  All on a toasted sandwich thin. 

YUM. 

Plus veggie soup.


I don't eat canned soup often because I always think I can make it better.  This was REALLY good!


Are you a comfort food or good food eater when you are sick? 

I think I'm both because I see a cupcake in my future!

Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Mix


Pour


Bake


Fill


Drink


Frost


Stare


Love


Indulge


Stuff


Enjoy


Triple Salted Caramel Cupcakes from Sprinkle Bakes
Makes 15 Cupcakes

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line muffin tins with papers. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Add vanilla. Mix and scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and beating until combined after each.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each about halfway full. Bake for about 25 minutes. When done, transfer tins to wire racks to cool 10 minutes; turn out cupcakes onto racks and let cool completely.

Salted Caramel Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons salted butter cubed
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature

Melt the sugar over medium high heat in a large pot. Whisk the sugar as it melts and cook until it becomes a deep amber color. Add the butter and stir it in until melted. Pour in the heavy cream (mixture will foam) and whisk until you get a smooth sauce. You may have some lumps but keep stirring until they have melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Cut a small round piece out of the tops of each cooled cupcake and pour in 1 teaspoon of caramel. Replace the cake piece and set cupcakes aside.

Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 stick salted butter
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a saucepan, stir together granulated sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook without stirring until mixture turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring until very smooth. Let caramel cool for about 20 minutes, until it is just barely warm and still pourable.

In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and salt together until lightened and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Scrape down the side of the bowl and add the caramel. Beat on medium high speed until light and airy, and completely mixed (about 2 minutes). Mixture should be ready to use without refrigeration. If your caramel was too hot when added, it will cause your icing to be runny. If this happens refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

Top caramel-filled cupcakes with frosting.

Another Change of Pace

Sometimes I wonder if people wonder why I eat the things I do.  Maybe this post will help explain things.

FOOD

Breakfast- overnight oats (1/3c rolled oats, 1/3c banilla yogurt, 1/3c almond milk, 1T chia seeds + 1/2c pumpkin)


I don't think this could get old!  Overnight oats + COFFEE.


Lunch was a homemade veggie burger on a sandwich thin.  I added homegrown sprouts, sabra classic hummus, and light french onion laughing cow cheese.  Plus sweet potato chips (sweet potato, olive oil, salt- roasted at 425) and a pickle.

We've been buying those Claussen pickles in the cold section.  HOLY MOLY.  There's no turning back now.  They are SOOOO good.  I could eat one at every meal.  We bought the jar this weekend and there are 3 pickles left. 

SO

The past few months have been full of shocking news for me. Kind of like that mouth open, eyes wide, what in the world kind of news..

My grandfather had a stroke. We found out one of my nurses for little buddy has stage 4 colon cancer.  She's in her 30's.  And a member of our military family's 2 year old has a malignant brain tumor.

In the past my goals of this blog, eating well, and exercising were all about losing weight. Sure feeling good was a bonus too but mainly I wanted to look good.

Recent events have made me take a step back and really analyze my health and this blog.

This blog used to be a diary for me. To keep me on track and to come back to if I lose track. Along the way it seems as though I've inspired a few people. People are trying Sabra hummus, overnight oats, green smoothies, sandwich thins, and almond butter.  I love the fact that I am inspiring people but I feel like I was doing it without a good reason.

Again, my life is taking another change of pace. My healthy eating goals have changed yet again. The reason I am going to eat healthy is to live longer. The reason I'm going to exercise frequently is to be illness free. I never want to be put on medication when lack of diet and exercise is the problem. I want to ward off strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and cancer.  Are you one of those people who think good food and exercise don't matter that much? 

Look at what I found online about reducing your risk of cancer. And what about strokes?  Diabetes? Heart attack?

You know what they all address? Physicaly activity, smoking and/or alcohol, and nutrition.

I am not a registered dietician nor do I have any type of medical training but I'm not stupid.

If you could live just one day longer by eating your broccoli wouldn't you shovel it in?  I'd swallow it whole if it meant spending another day with my husband, daughter, and son.

I hate it when people ramble on blogs.  I don't have time to read a book and I bet you don't either.

I just know that from now on I am going to enjoy every sweet moment of my life with my family and friends.

What about you?

Blueberry Festival 5K

Did you forget about my 5k?  I kinda did until last night.  Well I didn't forget I just pushed it to the back of my mind. 

Guess what.  I ran a 5k this morning. 

Pre-race fuel.

Almond butter banana sandwich thin.  One for me one for the hubs.

This was the NC Blueberry Festival 5k.  It was perfect for me to get back into running.


There were lots of walkers and lots of fun people.  Not too many were very serious. 

I have been running 2 miles at a time on the treadmill and in our neighborhood. I haven't run 3 miles in a long time.  Maybe a year? 

I ran the whole time!  I really wanted to walk but I didn't.  My time was 38:43.  BUT  I ran the whole time!


Mostly thanks to this guy.


And this one.


I totally earned the t-shirt.


Post-race fuel.  Besides the fruit cups.

This probably wasn't the best choice but I found them last night and was dying to try one.  They are SO yummy!

Have you ever run a race?