Snack Station

Posted on February 22, 2012

I have a little thing for containers….I heart them very much.

I use these spice containers to carry lunch and snacks while in the car!

I use these containers to carry our food to the zoo or beach….

I have 4 of them!

I love using containers to store things in, to serve food in, to display things in…..they are just so fun!

So imagine my happiness when one day I was out shopping and came across this liitle magnetic spice holder! Except I had no plans to use it for spices….my mind was processing all sorts of things that I could hold in those little magnetc tins!

My idea was to use it as a snack station for my kids!!

I cleared a space in my fridge to store it and then started filling up each little container for my kids to eat the next day!

There are 9 containers total so each child gets 4 filled with snacks and then the last one I fill up with their vitamins to divide up between them!

What did they have in there the first day?

They each had a tin of organic baby carrots, organic kumquats, sunflower seeds, and some organic crackers and the last one had 2 vitamins it it (even though it looks empty!).

This worked great with my kids! They stopped asking me for snacks!! They just went to the fridge and choose their own! I felt good because I had a fruit, a veggie, a protein, and then a fun snack for them and they felt happy to be able to eat their choice!

Here are some other ideas to place in the tins:

orange sections, tangerine sections, small pieces of celery, apple slices, orgainc dry cereals, small crackers, nuts or seeds, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cucumber slices, green pepper slices, dried fruits, plum, apricots, and anything else your mind can imagine!!

My kids loved it!!!

What would you put in these little containers?

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Tostada Night!

Posted on February 20, 2012

Having a tostada night came to me while my kids were completing a math story problem together. Their problem was this:

A family is starting a restaurant called La Tostada Sabrosa and the family is working on the menu. The restaurant will feature tostadas, a popular dish with various ingredients or toppings, placed upon a fried tortilla base. The restaurant offers five toppings-beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce, and olives. But each tostada can only have 3 out of the 5 ingredients-and no duplicate toppings! With these guidlines please help this family determine the number of different tostadas that can be made and featured on their menu.

So I drew and cut some tortillas and toppings for each child to use to help them figure out this problem. They also used a chart to help them figure out how many combinations there were. Can you figure out how many? Answer will be at the bottom of the page!!

So the idea occured to me to make tostadas for dinner that night-and my kids thought it was a great idea!!

I started with quinoa. I had some leftover from a previous dinner and I had frozen it for another night- which was perfect for this dish! I pulled it out and heated it up on the stove. Quinoa is very easy to make but rice could also be used.

Next step-on a baking sheet I placed frozen organic corn, diced green peppers, chopped purple onions, black beans (drained and rinsed), chopped tomato, minced garlic and pieces of fresh cilantro. I sprinkled with sea salt and placed in my oven on broil. I watched this carefully and flipped the mixture to evenly cook.

While the quinoa heated and the veggies cooked I started making the tortillas.

I had some organic corn tortillas….

I heated up a skillet and melted a little dairy free butter as my oil (you could also use coconut oil) and then toasted each tortilla until crispy.

I assembled my toppings: chopped lettuce, fresh cilantro and

some smashed avocado with lime and sea salt

To assemble:

Spread guacamole onto a tortilla, add quinoa and then veggie mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, fresh cilantro and salsa or Cholula sauce.

These were AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, my kids didn’t eat the tostadas as presented….they made their own tostadas with guacamole, lettuce and salsa and ate the quinoa on the side with fresh green peppers. However, they did taste the adult version and said they liked it!

So, have you figured out what the answer to the story problem is yet???

There are 10 different combinations that can be made!
Like this recipe?

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The World’s Greatest Black Bean Burger

Posted on February 17, 2012

Let me explain…..I am generally not the person who likes to eat mimics of other foods…I do not choose to eat tofu or fake meat…I have personally decided not to eat meat and I don’t generally want a fake version of it either. However, my hubby loves veggie burgers….looking at the ingredients they contain I am not happy serving him one of these burgers at all….in my opinion they are not healthy!

I knew I could do better, so I got to work in the kitchen….I made my first batch and it was okay….the second time around was a fail…..but the third time is most definately a charm!!! This recipe is by far The World’s Greatest Black Bean Burger and I know because I ate it!!! Remember when I said I don’t generally eat things that resemble fake meat….well, this is the exception!

These are so easy and quick to make,contain simple ingredients, and are super healthy!

The World’s Greatest Black Bean Burger

1 can of organic black beans, drained and rinsed

1 chia egg which is 1 tbsp. chia seeds and 3 tablespoons water mixed (explained here)

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 small handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tsp. sea salt

2 tbsp. organic BBQ sauce

1 cup organic oats, ground into flour using a food processor or coffee grinder (may need up to 1/2 cup additional)

1 tbsp. nutritional yeast (optional)

Place beans into food processor and blend. Add in chia egg, garlic, salt, cilantro and reblend. Add in BBQ sauce and nutritional yeast and blend. Finally slowly add in the oat flour until a good “dough” is made. Refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Using hands pat out 4 large patties or 5 smaller ones.

Place in hot skillet with coconut oil or non dairy butter. Cook on med high heat until browned on one side and then flip. Cook the other side until brown.

Serve on a whole grain bun with avocado slices, purple onions, tomatoes, and sprouts!

Hubby Approved!

Do you like black bean burgers??? What would you top yours with?

Like this recipe?

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My Shopping Trip

Posted on February 16, 2012

I get asked a lot of times about our groceries, what we buy, how much we spend, etc. I even get stopped at the grocery store sometimes from someone making a comment about the contents in my grocery cart.

After my shopping trip yesterday I decided to display all my produce on my table in a color pattern and take pictures for a blog post. I will share with you the produce I bought for my family of four for about a week. Some items will be gone faster and other items may last longer….I am sure you know what I am talking about!

Starting with the left side and moving towards the right:

RED

1 package of 6 organic Roma tomatoes: $2.69

1 package of pre cut watermelon: $3.60

4 packages of organic raspberries: 2 packs for $6 so $12 total (yes, I know $12 bucks for raspberries???)

1 bunch of beets: $1.99

4 packages of frozen organic strawberries: 2 packs for $5 so $10 total

ORANGE

2 bags of grapefruits: $2.99 each

2 bags of big organic carrots: 2 for $3!!!! This is a steal!!!!

2 bags of organic mini carrots: 2 for $3

2 bags of juicing oranges: $3.99 each

1 box of cuties: $4.99

YELLOW:

2 bags of lemons: $2.99 each

1 bunch organic bananas: $1.56

3 Mangos: 3 for $5

1 papaya: $2.50

1 bunch of organic golden beets: $2.59

2 pineapples: $2.99 each

1 -5 lb bag of organic potatoes (forgot to add these in the picture) $2.99

GREEN

1 big container of organic spinach: $4.99

2 packages of organic romaine lettuce: $3.29 each

1 package of organic celery: $1.99

4 bunches of organic kale: $1.99 each

1 package of limes: $2.69

3 organic green peppers: $1.69 each

1 package of 4 organic kiwis: $2.99

1 package of 4 organic avocados: $2.99

1 regular avocado (needed a ripe one and the organic weren’t ripe yet) $1.89 (rip off!)

3 english cucumbers: $1.69 each

2 bunches or organic Rainbow chard lettuce: $1.99 each

BLUE

2 packs of organic blueberries: 2 for $5

PURPLE

1 purple onion $1.09

These items are not the only items I purchase….we do eat more than just produce! I also purchased items such as: organic whole grain bread, organic pasta sauce, organic rice, organic coffee (yes, I do drink coffee), organic eggs, sunflower seeds, almonds, sweet potato chips, organic tortilla chips, salsa, organic cereal, almond milk, coconut milk, spelt pretzels, organic crackers, organic black beans and Cholula sauce(Love this stuff!)

I will also add that I did purchase extras this week because as a family we have been juicing every day. I needed more carrots, lemons, and greens than what I would normally buy. I also didn’t need to buy apples (stocked up on organic ones at Trader Joe’s the week before), and I also had parsley and watercress from the week before.

Our juice that we drank today included:

celery, golden beets, carrots, apples, lemons, parsley, watercress, and rainbow chard!

The kids LOVED it!!

How much do you average a week on groceries?

Are you on Pinterest??

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Happy Healthy Valentine’s

Posted on February 13, 2012

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be filled with candy hearts and boxes of cheap chocolate to be fun! You can still make fun and tasty treats that are better for you and the kids!

These treats can also be made anytime of the year not just Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Sunbutter Fudge with Pink Coconut Sprinkles

Fluffy Coconut Mousse with Coconut Sprinkles

Peppermint Filled Chocolates

Cupid Hearts made with Pineapple and Tangerines

Crayon Hearts

First, let me explain how to make the “pink sprinkles.” I used Rawxy’s idea from her blog to color dried shredded coconut with beet juice to make the coconut turn pink…mine took on a sort of purple color though….it still looked super pretty!! I just took 1 cup of dried coconut flakes and placed them in my food processor then added in drops of pure beet juice until I reached the desired color.

I placed them into my toaster oven at the lowest setting and left the door open so they didn’t cook…I just wanted them to dry out. Place in an airtight container and use for any of the following recipes.

Chocolate Sunbutter Fudge with Pink Coconut Sprinkles

1/2 cup soaked dates

1/2 cup of the soak water from the dates

2 tbsp. Sunbutter

1 cup melted coconut oil or coconut butter

2 tbsp. cacao powder or cocoa powder

Blend dates and water until smooth. Add in Sunbutter and coconut oil. Pour into molds of any shape and top with pink coconut sprinkles. Place in freezer for about an hour.

Fluffy Coconut Mousse with Coconut Sprinkles

1 can full fat coconut milk that has been refrigerated for 10-12 hours

2 tbsp. maple syrup

10-20 drops of beet juice

Open the refrigerated can of coconut milk -it will be solid like in the picture. Spoon out the solid layer and discard the water that is at the bottom of the can. Place the thick cream into a bowl.

Add in maple syrup and beat with beaters until mixed. Set aside 1/2 cup of the mixture.

To the remainder of the mixture add in drops of beet juice and beat.

Layer the pink and the white in a decorative glass and sprinkle with pink coconut sprinkles.

Peppermint Filled Chocolates

Chocolate:

1 cup melted coconut oil

1 tbsp. cacao powder or cocoa powder

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

Mix well and pour a bottom layer into molds. Place in freezer to harden. Set the remainder of the chocolate aside.

Peppermint Filling:

1 can of coconut milk refrigerated 10-12 hours

drops of peppermint extract

2 tbsp. of maple syrup

Use the same method as the mousse recipe above except add in the drops of peppermint extract before beating with beaters.

Take harden chocolate out of freezer and place a layer of the peppermint on top. Place back in freezer for 10 minutes. The filling will not be solid but firm enough to pour the top layer on. Return back to freezer for 1 hour to firm up all layers.

Cupid Hearts made with Pineapple and Tangerines

1 pineapple

1-2 small tangerines

skewers

Cut the pineapple into rounds each piece being about 1/2 -1 inch thick. Cut off the outer layer.

Now using a knife start cutting a heart shape out of each piece.

Serve them as a tower of hearts

or arrange them on a plate

or using a skewer pierce through the heart sideways add 2 pieces of tangerines to the end. Cut 1 segment and cut it into a triangle shape and add to the top of the skewer.

Crayon Hearts

Peel the paper off some old crayons. Break them into smaller pieces and place them into molds. Bake at the lowest temperature setting that your oven will allow. Only bake until melted.

Let cool and then place into freezer to harden. Turn molds over and pop out the crayon hearts. I had to work with a few and use a knife to loosen.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
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Homegrown Sprouts

Posted on February 13, 2012

My kids LOVE sprouts!

Research shows that sprouts
abound with antioxidants, they are
full of protein, chlorophyll, vitamins,
minerals and amino acids.

They are super cheap to grow and super easy too!!!

I have these sprouting trays that I use

but you can use a mason jar too!!

You can buy seeds for super cheap-I buy mine at my local health food store.

A tablespoon of seeds will yield about 1-3 cups of sprouts, very cost effective!

Start by soaking your seeds overnight

In the morning place them on your sprouting tray or in a mason jar.

If you use a mason jar place a wet paper towel over the top and screw on the lid without the middle insert. Turn the jar upside down and let it sit at an angle. Keep the seeds moist but constantly draining .

If your using the trays rinse them sevreal times a day and let the water drain out of the small holes in the bottom of the trays.

They start growing in just a day or two and pretty soon you have a bunch!

Sprouts are a super easy and cheap way to incorporate healthy eating into your life!

Throw them onto a salad, eat them in wraps, juice them, or eat them plain!!

You can also buy sprouts for fairly cheap if you want the health benefits but no work!

My favorite way to eat them is with

romaine lettuce and chopped apple with a yummy vinegrette!!!

What’s your favorite way to eat sprouts??

Please take a moment to vote for me in the Circle Of Moms Contest for the Top 25 Vegan/Vegetarian Blog Award. It takes just a second and a click to vote. There is no signing up or giving your name. Just click through the link, scroll down until you see my logo and click vote! You can vote once every 24 hours until February 14, 2012.

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Review: YumNuts

Posted on February 12, 2012

I received a package of chocolate YUMNUTS awhile ago and I wanted to share with all of you how yummy these really are!!

The ingredients are : dry-roasted cashews, cocoa powder, honey, organic evaporated cane juice, milk powder, soy lecithin

When I received them I was leaving my house,so I took them with me-I spent the next few hours doing errands and eventually got hungry and remembered I had these nuts!

I opened the package and started eating…I am sad to say I almost ate the whole bag!

Shame on me….but they were yummy!!!

I understand why they call them Yumnuts!!

I cannot wait to try all of the other flavors!!

Check them out on facebook!!!

Have you ever tried Yumnuts???

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Juice/Smoothie Feasting!!

Posted on February 10, 2012

We have been making fresh juices lately and they have been so yummy!!

I love that my kids get excited to make juice!

I also love that they like to drink it!!!

This juice had kale, celery, beets, cucumbers, apples, garlic, ginger, and lemon! I add in some stevia and ice and it is super delicious!!

Don’t mind the face painting-we had spent the day at the zoo!!!

I love the color that beets add to a juice! Did you know that consuming raw beets is cleansing to the blood?? If you research the health benefits of beets you will be amazed at how good they are for our bodies!!

After drinking this juice my husband and I decided that we would do a 1 day juice/smoothie feast the following day. I did not have time to do any shopping so we decided to use what we had on hand.

We began our day with fresh homemade vanilla almond milk!

Next, we had fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and then some ginger tea!

For lunch we had a chocolate banana milkshake which is just bananas, leftover almond milk from breakfast, ice, and cacao powder with some stevia.

In the afternoon I made some green juice which consisted of:

kale, celery, limes, cucumbers, and apples….I placed everything in my VitaMix and blended it up like a smoothie! Then I poured the mixture into a fine strainer bag and squeezed out all the juice!!

Next, we drank fresh squeezed orange juice blended with mangos!

For dinner we had tomato, garlic, green pepper, onion, basil, hemp oil, and cayenne blended together and warmed. We ate this like a soup!

Lastly, we had beet, lemon, pineapple, and kiwi juice!

Squeezing beet juice through the strainer did a number on my hands though…I had red hands for a day!!!

We finished our night with some more ginger tea!! It was a delicious and amazing day!!

What is your favorite juice??

UNPROCESS ME Ebook

Posted on February 9, 2012

There are so many diets out there and so many health and nutrition books claiming to have the RIGHT information on how to eat or how not to eat. So much of the information is contradicting and when you try to sort through it all it is overwhelming and complicated!!

Believe me, I have tried!!!!

I have found that it doesn’t have to be hard, extreme, complicated, or even difficult to follow….

it’s really a matter of less processed foods and more whole, natural foods…..

isn’t that how our bodies were originally designed???

Processed foods are fake foods made in a factory using chemicals, dyes, and sometimes very questionable ingredients. If there is any real food in the ingredient list it is so processed that the chemical structure of that food is not the same as it once was.

These processed foods that come in boxes, cans, packages, etc -they are NOT real food!! If we spend a lifetime eating these foods our bodies will not receive nourishment and it is primed for disease and sickness to set in.

Take a look at this picture….one side is what the average persons diet looks like each day.

Chips, donuts, popcorn, candy, soda pop, and fried foods……these are processed foods….the other side is filled with foods that have been grown and contain nutrients that fuel our bodies.

Can you for just 7 days go without all of the processed food and see what it would feel like to eat UNPROCESSED???

This ebook guides you through 7 days of eating unprocessed foods. It provides a shopping list, goal setting help, daily menu planner, recomendations for the 7 days, and time saving tips for the kitchen! It includes:

14 breakfast recipes
17 lunch recipes
18 dinner recipes
26 snack and dessert recipes

This ebook is designed to help you learn easy and quick meal ideas that you can incorporate into your everyday meal planning. By removing processed foods from your diet for one week you will feel the difference and be well equipped to continue eating healthier foods.

BUY NOW! Only $9.95!

or buy the bundle of all 4 of my ebooks which include super easy, super healthy, and super delicious recipes!!

Purchase a bundle pack and save!! Purchase all 4 ebooks for 1 low price!

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Challenge yourself for 7 days!! See if you can feel the difference!!

It’s NOT Peanut Butter Cookies-Flourless Version!!!

Posted on February 7, 2012

I thought it couldn’t get any better but it did!!!!! These flourless non peanut butter cookies are so much like the real thing!! I remember as a child my mom made a peanut butter cookie using just a few ingredients. I would always help her make them so I remember she would use peanut butter, sugar, and 1 egg….there may have been a few other ingredients as well. I am not even sure where the recipe came from because she just had it written on an index card that she kept in her drawer. As a child I LOVED peanut butter…I took after my dad-he ~~loved~~ loves it too! There are actually pictures of me as a kid walking around with a big spoon of peanut butter as my snack! When I had children and I found out they were allergic to peanuts I had to stop my addiction for the safety of my children. It wasn’t even like I could go out and sneak some while I was away because I had a fear that I could still give them a reaction with a snuggle or a kiss once I came home!

Which explains my addiction to sunflower seed butter-and this addiction won’t harm my children. In fact, they can indulge with me!!

So, these cookies remind me of my childhood favorite. They taste so authentic that I gave some to my sister and dad who have only had the real deal and they both said, “These don’t have any peanut butter???” They couldn’t get over the fact that they tasted just like the real thing!!

It’s Not Peanut Butter Cookies-Flourless Version! or Sunflower Seed Cookies!