Just for KIDS! - Breaded Zucchini and Tofu fingers

This recipe is of course nothing new, LOTS of people have recipes for this on the web.  So if you google it I am SURE you will find a ton of variations.  This one is mine, and I used the spices that I know work for my family, feel free to get creative and do the same!  Don't be afraid to try different veggies, or fishes, or whatever you would like!  Cooking is all about enjoying your time in the kitchen, and watching your family enjoy your yummy creations!

Here's how you get it!

Ingredients
2 - 3 slices of stale whole wheat bread ( or for those that can't have bread, try the new Gluten Free Rice Crisps!)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp each salt and pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp parsley
1 block of tofu cut into fingers
2 small zucchini cut into fingers
1 cup coconut milk (for milk wash to make the breading stick)

Steps


Pulse the bread (or Crisps), spices, salt and pepper in the processor until combined and crumbly.


Set up your breading station, and preheat the oven to 375.
One at a time dip tofu and zucchini in the coconut milk, then roll in the breading.
Place on a foil lined and cooking sprayed pan
Repeat until all your fingers are breaded.
Cook for about 15 to 20 mins, or until breading is golden brown.
When using the rice crisps watch the coating, it will cook faster.
Let cool, then serve with your Favorite dip, I made my Dill dip, and they were a huge HIT!

Vanilla Togurts

The boys named it Togurt!

I am by no means a soya yogurt connisur, nor will I ever pretend to be.  That being said, this one is pretty darn good.  We eat it plain, with fruit, on oatmeal,in the morning, at noon, and even as a night time snack.  It is yummy!  O and it is simple and works out to be about $1.49 per 1 kg tub! Yep, cheap! I try to use dairy alternatives where possible, but have you seen the price of those special yogurts?  Wow, not in my budget that is for sure.

You literally only need 4 things to make this, well 5 if you count the food processer.

Ingredients
1 tub silken tofu

1/2 lemon, juiced

Vanilla and honey to taste

Steps
Put it all in your processor and let it rip!

Add honey and vanilla to your taste, or if going vegan, use agave nectar.

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Just for Kids - Pizzadeas!

Cover both Whole Wheat Tortillas in Pizza Sauce

Add your Favorite Pizza toppings.
We did just peppers this time,

Sprinkle on your cheese, and top with your other tortilla

Place under the Broiler on a cookie sheet for about 5 mins each side.
Slice like a pizza, and ENJOY!

 

kale chips - Bet your gonna Eat more than ONE!

Last night the Yoga Ladies and I were discussing these morsels of greatness.  I am not 100% sure how we got on the subject, I think it was when the one lady commented on the "hippy Freak" people who eat weird foods like tofu wrapped with grape leaves (I seriously think she is secretly kinda trying to tell me that I am a hippy freak, cause I love that kinda stuff, but don't tell her I said that, she is my dearest friend, and I know she loves all the freaky hippyness, even if she won't admit it.... but I digress) ANYWHO......

So these are SOO awesomer, and the flavour combo's are ENDLESS!

Here is what you do!



Wash your kale!!




Ingredients

1 - 2 bunches of kale with the leaves removed from the woody stalk.

1 tbsp Olive oil

1 pinch of salt

Optional - I have done Cajun, Italian, bbq, and garlic and onion flavors too!

Steps

 

Wash and dry kale

Put everything in a bag

SHAKE

Place on a parchment lines baking sheet in a single layer



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Shake Your Kale



BAKE at 325 for 5 to 10 mins.  watching carefully that they get crunchy NOT completely Cajun!

If you can, let them cool, then ENJOY!!





ENJOY Your Kale!



Challenge Worthy Recipe - Eggless salad wraps

I LOVE Egg Salad Sandwiches.  They always remind me of the triangle ones that the elderly ladies at church used to make for the Sunday Brunches.  The only problem with those sandwiches?  They are LOADED with fat and calories, and not really a great idea for those of us on the challenge trying to get rid of muffin tops.  So I hit the net, and my cook books looking for a recipe that I could make.  All the ones I found had vegan mayo, or nutritional yeast in the recipe.  I didn't have either, but here is what I did have; 1/4 block of regular tofu, dijon mustard, green onion, paprika. celery, cucumber, garlic and onion powder, pepper, wraps, lettuce and Alfalfa!

Loading up the wrap!

Ingredients

1 stalk celery finely diced
1 tbsp finely chopped cucumber
1 finely chopped green onion
1/4 package of regular tofu crumbled
1/2 an Avocado mashed
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Sprinkle to taste pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powder.

Steps

Mix everything together with a fork, making sure that all the tofu is finely crumbled.
Pile it in your Whole grain wrap with lettuce, and alfalfa
Fold up your wrap and ENJOY!

The Finished Product!
  It was so good I almost didn't get a picture!

Challenge Worthy Recipe - Warm Winter Salad

I was CRAVING Salad tonight.  Which is soo weird for me.  I never crave Salads in the winter, it is just too cold!  I really wanted to have something green, light, fresh and WARM.

How do you make a warm salad?  I wasn't sure, so I headed to my local grocer, and hit the Produce section for some inspiration. 

This is what I came home with; kale, organic baby greens, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, green onion, purple cabbage, sliced almonds, a bottle of Newman's Own Organic Oil and Vinegar dressing, and an idea!

Some of the things I brought home with me

I made it all in one pan, and even sauted my "Chick'n Scallopini" salad topper in the same pan.  I love when I don't have to do a lot of dishes! 

I really like these!!

The finished Salad, I added my "Chick'n" after!

Here is how to make yours;

Ingredients

1 red pepper sliced into fine strips
1/4 head of purple cabbage sliced into ribbons
1 bunch of kale washed and chopped
5 large button mushrooms sliced
3 green onions chopped
1/2 package organic baby greens
1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
2 tbsp Newmans Salad Dressing
1 tsp oilive oil

Steps.

Place your baby greens in the bottom of your salad bowl.
In a fry pan warm your Olive oil over med. low heat.
Add your peppers and red cabbage, saute until tender crisp
Add your mushrooms and toss with peppers and cabbage
Once mushrooms begin to soften add Kale, and green onions, then toss with salad dressing
Saute until heated through and Kale turns a bright green
Place your kale mixture on top of your baby greens and toss altogether.
If you like toast the almonds in your warm pan, or just leave them raw.
Cook your "chick'n" in you pan, slice and top your salad.

YUMMY!!!

Perfecting the cookie...

This ones for the kids. I posted a video from Jamie Oliver about how important it is to feed our children for their future. Lets face it, no childhood would be complete without a big glass of Milk (my boys are in LOVE with Almond milk right now) and a yummy warm cookie right out of the oven.  My hubbies Grandmother made the BEST cookies I have ever had, but I can bet money they where FULL of butter, sugars and white flour.  The M in L took over the recipe and when we visited over Christmas and I enjoyed WAY to many of them.  When we got home hubby asked me to try to recreate the recipe, but of course I would have to do It MY WAY.  So, out came Mix Master K, my cook books, and my laptop and I started to research. 

How did I ever bake before Mix Master K?

Google "healthy, vegan, low sugar" or any combination there of "cookies" and you will discover what seems like millions of recipes. Each author claiming that these will be the best cookies I have ever tasted, or that I will never need to try another recipe again! But I wonder, how do they know that these are the best I have ever had? Did they TRY Nanna's?  Have they been stocking me, and eating all the same cookies as I have? Or why will I never want to try another recipe, will theirs put a spell on me? Ok, maybe I am being a tad bit dramatic, but seriously, should we make those claims?

This recipe is one of the tastiest vegan cookies I HAVE ever had! (See I can say that cause I know what cookies I have had before). It took a couple batches to get it just the way I wanted, and I am so glad I kept trying. I think my family was too, none of the batches turned out bad, just the first 4 were only ok in my opinion. Plus I got to use my NEW Kitchenaid stand mixer, A.K.A. Mixmaster K! your jealous I know. So here u ya go, the recipe!

The FINAL Batch, and the BEST in MY opinion!

Ingredients

1/2 c vegan margin

1/2 c coconut oil

1/4 c brown sugar

1 tbsp agave nectar

1/4 c applesauce

1 tsp each Cinnamon, vanilla and ground nutmeg

1 tsp baking powder

1 c whole wheat flour

1 1/2 c oats

1 c crushed pecans

2 tbsp ground flax

Steps

Place first 6 ingredients in your mixer bowl and cream together.

Turn the mixer to the slowest setting and slowly add the last 5 ingredients.

Once all mixed I added dark chocolate chunks, but that is optional.  Use what you love, chocolate, dried fruits, WHATEVER!!

Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 mins.

Cool and ENJOY with a tall glass of cold milk



Challenge Worthy Recipe - Tomato Leek Soup

This soup is really yummy.  I love soup in the winter, especially one that you can actually eat as a meal.  And this is for sure one of those meal soups! 

Here's How to Make it



Ingredients

3 leeks chopped ( up to light green part)
3 - 4 cloves of garlic minced
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
1/4 cup loosly packed of each chopped fresh dill and chopped fresh parsley
2 cans organic, no salt added, diced tomatoes
1 carton organic vegtable broth
1/2 head green cabbage sliced into noodle like ribbons

Extra Protien Options
1 can rinsed and drained black beans
and / or
1/2 package cubed firm tofu

Steps

In your large soup pot saute the leeks, garlic, pepper flakes, herbs and paprika in the 2 tbsp of water until soft. 
Transfer mixture to a blender and puree.
Add the tomatoes (juice and all), veggy broth and cabbage to your soup pot, bring to a rolling boil.
Add back in the leek mixture,and the bean and or tofu (if using) and Stir.
Simmer on LOW until cabbage is soft (about 30 mins).
Serve with a yummy Crusty Bread!

I've Got the SHAKES!

I personally am not a fan of having the same shake over and over and over again.  I like to mix it up, get creative, and enjoy a variety of flavour combinations!  I think that it makes getting through a Cleanse day a little easier to know that the shake you have planned for the next morning is going to be SO FREAKIN GOOD!  I wanted to share with you some of my FAVS!  and a couple links to some other great resources too!

Resources

• The Isagenix Website is a great place to go for recipes for your shakes - Click HERE
• There is also a great little online flyer HERE with some simple was to create a different shake.
• If you are a BIG fan of getting your GREENS and FRUITS like me, HERE is a another great flyer for adding them to your life.
• HERE is a link to some recipes that I personally have not tried yet, but they sound good.  I will give them a go sometime over the 30 days!

My Favorite - Chocolate Isalean

• FUNKY MUNKEY! - 3 Ice cubes, 1 scoop Chocolate Isalean, 1/2 a Frozen Banana, 1 tbsp natural PB (or other NUT Butter), 1 tbsp ground flax, fill with water and BLENDER!.
• CoCo Lusious! - 3 ice cubes, Scoop Chocolate Isalean, 1/2 a frozen banana, 2 tbsp Coconut MILK, fill with coconut WATER and BLENDER!
• Tropical Tan! - 3 ice cubes, Chocolate Isalean, 1/2 a frozen banana, 2 chuncks each frozen mango and pineapple, fill with coconut water and BLENDER!

My Favorite - Vanilla Isalean

• The Lean Green - You will have to click Here for this one!
• Canadian's in Hawaii - 3 ice cubes, vanilla isalean, 1/2 a frozen banana, 2 chuncks each frozen mango and pineapple, fill with coconut water and BLENDER!
• Berry Good - 1 ice cube, vanilla isalean, handful frozen berry mix, fill with water and BLENDER!
  
  

What's the Special Today - 400 to 600 Calorie Clean Meals

So we start the Challenge MONDAY!! Are you ready?  Do you have your vision board hung where you can see it? Your pantry cleaned out and restocked with lots of great foods?  Have you planned your meals? 

I wanted to talk about great ways to create low calorie, full nutrition meals, because who wants to live on salad and TUNA!?!  NOT ME!  Low calorie meals that really fill you up are all about balancing your proteins, fats and complex carbs.  Now before you say, HOW THE HECK AM I TO DO THAT?  I am going to give you a list of meals and some great resources to help you out.  Lets get Started!

There are SO MANY Possiblities!

400 - 600 Cal.  Meal Resources

• Even if you aren't doing the 30 day system with me check out the Isagenix recipe page Here, and check out the "Low Cal Entrees" on the right hand side of the page.
• Create an account on a calorie counting web site.  I like My Everyday Health.  I use it to see how much of my favorite foods add up the calorie limit I set for myself.
• I am a huge fan of Tosca Reno and her site The Eat Clean Diet.  Take for example this recipe for Autumn Beef Stew that is only 406 Cals per serving!!  Who doesn't love a stew on a winters day.  Just be smart about it and leave the butter loaded crusty bread for the others, and try a 1/4 of a whole wheat Nan bread to keep the cals under 600 if you need to have a bread.
• Try some vegetarian and vegan meals.  You would be surprised how many great foods you can have and awesome recipes there are that are under the 400 to 600 cal mark.  My two favorite sites are Pea's and Thank You, and the Happy Herbivore.  Check them out! 

My Favorite 400 to 600 Cal. Meals

• 1 cup steamed Broccoli with 1 tsp olive oil drizzled on top, 6 Steamed Jumbo Shrimp, 1/2 cup Quinoa cooked with green onion, crushed chili peppers and garlic 
• Tomato and Leek Soup (find the recipe on the new RECIpage) with 4 large homemade Whole Grain croutons
• Vegan Stuffed Green Peppers
• 1/2 cup brown rice, 2 cups roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts and firm tofu.
• 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta with a homemade roasted cherry tomatoe and garlic sauce

Those are just a few of the MANY 400 to 600 Cal. meal ideas. 

You are only as limited as your imagination.

What are your favorite Meal Ideas?

My New Year Starts Next Week...

So, I am not really still on holidays anymore, but I just can't seem to get my but back on the wagon yet.  I have all these great and wonderful ideas for the New Year.  I just need this week to get them organized.

I have spent every free moment this week purging my life and home of the last years binge (and by free moment I mean the seconds between crafts with the kids, sledding with the boys, baking cookies with my new "Mix MASTER K" - Kitchenaid stand mixter!, and discovering new ways to build LEGO.)  Like I said before 2011 was a rough year.  I seemed to have even given up on my house!  I had clutter in every hidden corner imaginable.  I ended up with 2 industrial size bags of garbage, 2 giant Rubbermaid bins for Goodwill, and an over sized bag of clothes that really weren't fit for anyone in my house!  It felt great!  I knew that if I wanted to be able to focus on being a better me, I had to start by cleaning the clutter.  For me, when I look at clutter I get overwhelmed, stressed and I panic at the thought of all the time and effort it takes to get rid of it.  How are you supposed to find time to work out when you are stuffing the clutter back in the dark corner it came from?  I wasn't finding the time and that was the problem! 

Now that my house s uncluttered, here is what I have in store;

New Blog Features

• "Nothin' to Say Monday!".  It will be a linky day, where we can link up a picture or two from our past week.  It gives you a chance to share some photos, and gives me a break from writing.  Cause lets face it, MONDAYS SUCK, and I usually can barely get outta bed, let alone write a BLOG POST! 
• Reci"PAGE" - I am working on organizing the recipes on the blog into one easy to read page.  That way when you are looking for something to make, bake, cook, or shake, they will all be right there in front of your eyes. This may not be up and running by next week, but I am working on getting it ASAP!
• WORK IT GURL! - I often post about workouts, and fun ways to train and get fit.  It is something I LOVE to DO!  (Even though I seem to have forgotten how lately.)  When I am working out I am a happier, nicer me (remember my new years resolution??), and I want to continue to share what I learn with all of you.  So I will have a section on the blog devoted to this, and every month I will be updating it with a new move, strategy, or idea.  So make sure you check it out!
• And last but CERTAINLY not LEAST (drum roll please,,,,)  I want to Challenge YOU!  That is right YOU!!  I did an amazing 30 day Challenge that Started in November of 2011.  It was a Challenge to dig deep into who you are, to drop some extra weight and, to make yourself a better you, and to reach THOSE goals.  It was run by an amazing lady who is also an Isagenix Rep.  Now before you say "O great another push to sell something"  That is NOT what this is.  I will of course recommend the products that I love, but if you prefer something else, than go for it!  It is NOT about the products, it is about YOU!!  It is about reaching a goal you set out for yourself.  I personally will be doing the 30 day Isagenix Cleanse, and if you are interested in placing an order to follow along please email me (vlefebre@hotmail.com).  If you are just wanting to read the posts, try the menus, recipes and workouts, than do that.  There is no pressure.  Do it the way you need to, but I will say one thing.  If you really want to Challenge yourself to feel like a million dollars in 2012, place an order!  Even just doing the Isalean Shakes will make a huge change in how you feel.  The Challenge will start on MONDAY JANUARY 16th, which gives you lots of time to place your order, get rid of the candy and junk that is in your cupbords from the holidays (and I mean toss it out, NOT eat it all, :) ), and commit to joining me!

So, there you have it folks!  I most likely will not be back until next week. I am excited for what this year will bring.  I hope you are too!

For the LOVE of Power Balls / Bars (You Choose)

Funny Story.  So a while back I posted a link to my blog on one of the FB pages I follow stating that there was a link to my AWESOME Power balls / bars.  So all these people came and snooped around looking everywhere on the blog for the AWESOME recipe, only to find NOTHING!! HAHAHA! Sorry, not funny, your right! And NO it was not a plot to increase my readership!! I while back Blogger had some issues (my host site) and I had lost a bunch of posts, so I am assuming that was one of them, SORRY!!  Like I promised here are my power balls, my super yummy, super filling, super protieny, balls!

This is a mixed up recipe, a combo of Tosca Reno's version, Peas and Thank You's version, a Raw Vegan Version and of course MINE! 



Ingredients




3/4 cup dried fruit (look for un sweetened, I like to use raisins, or cranberries)

3/4 cup pitted dates

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (slightly toasted in the oven)

1/2 cup natural pumpkin seeds (I toast these with the sunflower seeds)

1/4 cup flax seeds (ground)

1/2 cup rolled oats (or 1/2 cup IsaCrunch hemp seeds)

1 cup agave nectar OR honey

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ground ginger (optional, but it does give them a nice HIT!)

1/2 cup almond butter at room temp. OR Soy butter  OR 1/4 cup nut butter and a 1/4 cup Coconut oil


Steps



Place dried fruit and all seeds in a food processor. Process until crumbly.

Add remaining ingredients and process until mixture is of even consistency

Using a tablespoon scoop mixture and shape into balls, ensure they are well packed.  Set on a platter and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

OR Spread mixture evenly out on a lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate until set, then cut into bars.

.

Makes 24 balls, 1 ball is one serving.

So Let me know how you like them, and if you did any alterations of your own!!

Get up on the right side of Monday!

So it is Monday Morning, and your tired from the busy weekend.  You need to give your family a breakfast that is yummy, quick and healthy.  I have got it right hear for you!  So simple fast and really tastey! 

All you need is a couple simple ingredients

• 1 Muesli baguettes
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup vanilla soya or rice milk

• Whisk together milk, flour, spice, and vanilla in a shallow dish
• Slice and soak Bread in the dish, flipping to ensure it is completely coated

• Cook in a fry pan, coated with a little coconut oil, until golden brown on both sides

• I serve mine with a scoop of yogurt, pomegrant seeds and blueberries, YUUUUMMMYYY!!!

I leave you with a great quote I came across today........

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

Happy Monday (are you annoyed, HEHE!)




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In the RAW!!

Have you heard of this?  In the Raw "craze", there are videos, books, facebook pages, websites, you name it.  All devoted to Raw Vegan Cooking. What did you think I was going to talk about naked people?? Goodness me ;)!!  I have been reading up on all kinds of different ways to eat yourself healthy, and this was one of the ways I came across.  I am sure I will be testing out all kinds of the recipes so stay tuned....

I found a recipe for Raw vegan cookies, and before you ask, no it isn't gross or a good way to get food poisoning (VEGANS DON'T EAT EGGS REMEMBER!!).  I have a group of  guinea pigs FRIENDS that I test recipes out on, and all them looked at me as if I was trying to kill them off with raw eggs, until I sarcastically  kindly reminded them that I said "VEGAN"!   They are just these really yummy chewy healthy cookies, that even the kids loved.  I found the original recipe for these wonderful Pecan Spice Cookies on One Green Planet, but of course I didn't follow it to the letter.  So here is how I made it my own. 


Ingredients:



■1 cup raw pecans, 1/2 cup raw Almonds

■1/4 cup each ground flax and chia seed

■pinch salt

■1/2 teaspoon ginger powder

■1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

■1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

■1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

■1/2 cup raisins

■10 dried dates soaked in 2 tbsp hot water and 2 tbsp apple sauce until softer

Preparation:



1.Process all of the ingredients, except for the raisins and dates, in a food processor, fitted with the “S” blade, until coarsely ground.

2.Add the raisins and dates (with the apple sauce soak) and continue processing until the mixture begins to stick together when pressed between your fingers.

3.Roll and form into desired shapes and sizes.

4.Let rest in the fridge for about 20 mins to an hour to firm up.

Weekend Recipes! Day 1

Thank you for letting me vent yesterday, I am feeling like a new women today.  It is the First day of the rest of my life!  I am drinking my coffee black (GASP!!), wearing my O MY GAWD How did these get so tight jeans (without suffocating, just muffin tops now!), and challenging myself to a back to back cleanse day!  Yep Day 2!  And I am going to ROCK IT!!  (and to my Isacouches, if you read this, I CAN"T GIVE UP MY COFFEE ON CLEANSES DAYS!! I AM SORRY!!!  So I do an extra cleanse drink at night to help out!)
How many feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster reading my blog??   Be honest!!We all have our moments though right?  Well I sure hope so! 

Soo, this weekend I am hoping to hit the Bulk store, gather up all kinds of great ingredients, and bake a bunch of healthy, fun snacks and breakfast foods!! 

Here are some of the things I think I will be doing....


K, minds out of the gutter, I am NOT DOING THIS MAN, but HIS Yummy Granola bars!  Although he is yummy, isn't he?  Cute, can cook, lots of energy, most likely married,...... o wait I am married..... Sorry, I'm back!
Here is the link to his Coconut Cranberry Granola Bars, but here is how I made them my way!


INGREDIENTS

2 cups quick cooking oats

1 cup whole almonds

1 cup whole pecans

1/2 cup honey

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3 tbsp. sunflower oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. each Cinnamon and nutmeg

1/2 cup roasted sunflower seeds (unsalted)

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup ground flax seed

2/3 cup raisins

1 cup shredded coconut, toasted


PREPARATION



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking pan.


Spread oats and almonds, pecans and sunflower seeds on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally to evenly toast. Cook the mixture until lightly golden brown and fragrant, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a small saucepan over medium low heat, add honey, brown sugar, sunflower oil and vanilla and spices. Heat until brown sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.


Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sunflower seeds, flax seeds, wheat germ, cranberries and coconut. Stir in the toasted oats and almonds. Pour in the honey and brown sugar mixture. Mix with hands until mixture is thoroughly combined.


Transfer granola mixture to prepared pan, pressing firmly to an even thickness. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely before removing from pan. Cut into 9 squares.


Yield: 9 servings.

I will be back later today, or tomorrow, or maybe not till Sunday, who knows really, all part of your roller coaster ride, with another recipe on RAW vegan cookies!  I loved them, like ate way too many of them loved them.  It is all part of this Raw vegan cooking I am discovering, NO COOKING!!  Just the yummy goodness of raw fruit, veggies and plant based life forms, very interesting!

Anyway TGIF ALL!!

The Lean Green UPDATE!

So last Monday I told you about my green smoothies. I have had at leasr one a day for this entire week, and like I promised here is the update, one category at a time;

Energy - So this is a tough one. I have been in a constant germ fight for about 3 weeks now, and I fear the germs maybe winning (as I sniffle away on the couch wraped in a blanket). I have a constant fountains of green nose snakes, and little coughing children that remind me if those little dogs who just can't stop barking in my daycare. Thankfully the overdoes of Vitamins I give the boys seems to have kept them healthy, but me not so much! So I can't really say that I have all this energy, but I do notice a definate "pick me up" after finishing my shake. I think if I could get over the exposure to the colds, and allow my body some time to actually rest (and I don't consider passing out on the couch at 8 pm because it is the first time you have sat down for a break since 4 am a real rest!)

Skin - I did notice a change in my skin. It doesn't seem as dry as it normally is. Now if I could just get rid of the bags under my eye, I tuink ky face may look better too!

Immunity - I can honestly say that I think that if I wasn't drinking these smoothies everybday, I would feel a lot worse than I do. I think the intense nutrient content in these babies is helping me fight these germs, and keep my head above water. Although, I really wish that I could find something for this sinus migraine, going on day 4 with it!

So, there you have it! I am going to continue with the smoothies, and keep fighting these germs, and prat for a short warm winter!

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Don't Forget to Toast them!

We carved our pumpkins tonight! What a blast! One of my favorite memories from childhood is carving a pumpkin with my Family. Then my sister and I seperating all the seeds and my mom toasting them. I just love the salty crunch of toasted pumpkin seeds, and they are really good for you too.

Heres how to make them perfect;

Clean and dry your seeds,
Sprinkle the seeds in olive oil, sea salt, and a little paprika and garlic powder,
Make sure all the seeds are evenly coated,
Bake in a 400 degree oven until golden. About 15 mins
Let cool, enjoy!

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Breakfast in the form or a cookie......

My boys are CEREAL OR OATMEAL ONLY kinda breakfast people. Very rarely do I get asked or better yet am I allowed to make something else. They are creatures of routine (not that I have engraved that in their little heads or anything). It does make planning breakfast a lot easier I guess, but sometimes, a little variety is fun too! I found the idea for this recipe on CBC's Steven and Chris show. If you go to their web site you can find the original idea under Quinoa cookies. I just kind threw some ingredients together, so I am going to try my best to give you the right list!

* 4 over ripe bananas mashed
* 2 cups oats
* a handful raisons
* couple dashes of cinnamon and fresh ground nutmeg
* 1 cup cooked quinoa. The second batch I made I forgot this and it was still really good.

Mix everything together in a bowl, drop onto cookie sheet, and bake in 350 oven for 25 to 30 min (or until center of the cookie is no longer mushie)

Let them cool before you sample them, trust me the banana chunks get VERY hot!
My boys and all the daycare kids loved them. And because they are pretty much free from most allergines they are safe for school, and all those poor kids with allergies.

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Going Green!

A lot of the blogs / cook books I read have there own versions of a green smoothy. They have names that all start with green, but end in things like; goodness, godess, greatness, enegry, and so many more! All the books / blogs claim that these green power drinks do wonders for your skin, energy levels, weight control, and general immunity. I have been playing around with different green flavour combinations for a while now to try to find the one that works for me, and I think I got it! There really is a certain order that the ingredients have to be blended though, because if you dont u get chunks of things.

This is what I put in mine and the order that I blend them. Remember to blend after each step.

- 3 dates
- 1/2 apple peeled and cored, 1/4 english cucumber peeled
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 large handful of spinach
- 1 scoop Vanilla Isalean Shake Powder, 1 scoop Isagreens, 2 ice cubes, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and top up with water.

I blend after each step until liquid. After the last step I leave the bullet going for an extra minute just to make sure all the chunks are gone.

Now that I have found one I like, I am going green every morning. I will let you know how it all goes after the first week. I am thinking if it works out for me, I will call mine the "Lean Green, Feel Better Machine!". Or something like that........

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Super fun Halloween treats!

I hope you weren't expecting a healthy version of a Halloween treat. If you are, sorry. These are fun, yummy treats, that contain sugar (gasp!) and lots of it (GASP!). I made these for the kids at my son's birthday instead of giving them a loot bag full of dollar store junk that just falls apart and breaks! Everyone in my family loved them, yes I even shared them with the kids! They are pretty simple to make, but they can be time consuming, so this isn't something you take on "day of".

Here's how you make them.

Make your rice crispies according to your favorite recipe. Roll it out onto a cookie sheet so it is about 1/2 inch thick. I used a piece of parchment paper to make sure the pin didn't stick.

I froze my crispies at this point, once they were chilly, they are easier to cut out. Using the cookie cutter shape of your choice, cut the shapes out and insert the popsicle sticks. I froze them again at this point overnight.

In a double boiler heat the chocolate chips, I used white chocolate waffers for my ghosts. Once the lumps are gone and the muxture is smooth, start dipping the crispies on a stick in. Garnish with your choice of fun, I did chippettes for ghost eyes.

I froze my ghosts for 3 days before the party, and they were yummy!

LOTS OF GHOSTLY FUN!

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