Week 1: Healthy Meals

Here goes the first week of trying to eat healthy. I am only going to be planning out dinners as there is only two people I am feeding and we usually eat leftovers from dinner for lunch the next day...and breakfast...lets just be honest...I really don't have time in the mornings. So first thing first...starting to make dinners.

Monday: Brussel Sprouts and Rice Casserole

Tuesday: Stir Fry

Wednesday: Kabobs

Thursday: Steak and asparagus

Friday: Taco's

Saturday: at home Mongolian BBQ

Sunday: Broccoli Cheese soup

Fat Sick and nearly dead

So I have been struggling during this pregnancy to get my veggies into my daily diet. I work at a weight loss clinic where our clients eat 4 cups of vegetables a day. That is a lot. (especially when it doesn't include potatoes and carrots). My parents have started Juicing after watching a documentary entitled "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead". http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/ After they and my midwife told me to watch it I finally did. I needed to find some way to get all those healthy green veggies in. It is a super interesting film. My parents have been feeling so much more vibrant and healthier from all the fresh fruits and veggies. So anyway this is a great film to watch. It helped me realize that most American's really don't get the veggies they need.

I do however feel like it is a complete waste of vegetables to juice them. You loose a lot of the bulk of the veggies. (ok and the real truth) I can't stand to drink them. I think they are disgusting. So although I love the idea and the ease of it I really needed to come up with something else. I decided to just make sure I ate tons of veggies. So of course if I want to eat them whole it is going to take a lot for me to learn how to incorporate vegetables into my diet.
How to shop for veggie's
How to cook them so they taste good
How to cook meals that include veggies but don't take forever. (let's face it...it's easy to throw spaghetti on the stove, it's easy to do whatever is already a habit.)

So there is the goal.... Learn to cook healthy meals that taste good but don't take forever to make. Can I do it? I hope so. :)

Homemade Granola!

I enjoy simplicity. Especially when it come to granola. I don't really like all the raisins and nuts and things in my granola. So here is a basic recipe for granola. Feel free to add whatever you want to it.

  Homemade Granola
from “Baked: New Frontiers in Baking” by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

(Things you could add: I prefer just plain)

1/3 cup whole almonds

1/3 cup whole hazelnuts

1/3 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup dried cherries

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, toss the oats with the cinnamon and salt.







In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until completely combined.











Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them: Gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist. Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mixture.








Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.
















 Bake for 7 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola.
Bake for another 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven. Let cool completely.

 If you want to add other ingredients follow these instructions for baking:)

(Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. 

Sprinkle the almonds over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the hazelnuts over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let cool completely. Sprinkle the raisins and cherries over the granola…)

and use your hands to transfer it to an airtight container.


The granola will keep for 1 week.