Lime Cilantro Quinoa

Can you tell I like to eat quinoa?  Here is another flexible recipe for a great meal (it’s gluten-free & vegan, too).  If you don’t have the exact vegetables on hand this recipe calls for, use what you have!

THE BEST CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Here's a link to the original that post I shared over at the Daily HIIT.

I love The New Moosewood Cookbook, although I am not vegetarian.  It has some amazing recipes, & this soup is derived from one of them.  There are many butternut squash soup recipes (I already have another on my blog), but what makes this one different is the technique.  First, you roast the squash, which gives it a depth of flavor lacking in steamed squash.  Second, the recipe doesn't call for curry powder.  Onion & garlic are sautéed with a combination of spices, which gives you control over your curry flavor.  Last, you have the option of having a smooth, pureed soup or retain texture by not pureeing the onion mixture at the end.   This has become my go-to curried butternut squash soup recipe.   It is vegetarian, exploding with beta-carotene, delicious, & of course, healthy.  If you try it, let me know what you think!

SMART & SEXY: 8 WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES (from the Daily HIIT)

Check out this roasted vegetable recipe I posted over on the Daily HIIT.  It's easy, cheap, & perfect for special occasions (or just middle of the work-week dinners).

SMART & SEXY: 8 WAYS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

 

1 POT TURKEY, RICE & BROCCOLI FAUX CASSEROLE

Fall = football, colorful leaves, & comfort food, right?  One problem…most comfort food isn't healthy, & involves casseroles, which I don’t make.  Tonight I whipped up a 1-pot rice concoction out of what was in the fridge, & it was a hit with me, my husband, my baby, & even the cat was begging for some.  The picture doesn't do the dish justice.  If you like turkey & rice casserole, give this lighter version a try.  While you won’t find cream-of-anything soup or cheese in it, you will find flavor & a satisfying, healthy, hearty meal.  What’s more comforting than that?

Easy Grilled Squash

Here's a super-easy recipe for grilled squash that I shared over at The Daily HIIT:

Easy Grilled Squash

I made it with my favorite flank steak recipe.  Enjoy!

Banana Oat Breakfast Bars

Superman: Kryptonite

Achilles: Heel

Me: Chocolate Chip Cookies

WHY EAT GRASSFED BEEF?

Picture from foodrevolution.org 

If you read my blog, you may have noticed that when I cook with red meat, it is usually grassfed flank steak.   When I grocery shop for my family, I make a point to buy grassfed beef, wild caught fish, & cage-free organic poultry.  Today I came across a great article about grassfed beef.  If you aren't sure about why grassfed beef is better for your health, the environment, & the cow, please take the time to read this article!  

The Truth About Grassfed Beef by John Robbins

Roasted Turkey Salad with Apples & Blackberries

I have a favorite salad, which I changed a little bit tonight.  I added blackberries & used a simple lemon vinaigrette & loved the result!  (I forgot to take pictures, but I'm sure you know what salad looks like!)

Tips to Staying Nutrition-Minded During Vacation

Guest post by Cole Millen

When vacation time arrives, it is important to stick to your diet plan so you can continue to enjoy the benefits of your fitness efforts.  It is common for people to diet and workout while they prepare for their vacations.  Everyone wants to look good in a swimsuit or feel healthy and in shape while they are enjoying outdoor activities on their trip.  By watching out for pitfalls of fast food and unhealthy food options, you can continue to keep to your healthy way of eating without sacrificing delicious meals on your vacation.

Avocado Basil Pasta: 4 Ingredients & Fast

My avocado tree is almost done for the season.  I have made a TON of guacamole, & tried a few new (to me) avocado recipes.  This one, inspired by a recipe I stumbled across from Oh She Glows, is delicious, & super easy.  It is very similar to the Peruvian Green Spaghetti recipe I've posted on this site.  The quantities are very flexible, so adjust according to what you prefer.  While very tasty with pasta, the avocado sauce could be served as a dip.  I did not try it yet, but adding in spinach & a little lemon juice would probably be good.

Lime Cumin Halibut

I have a lime tree & avocado tree that are each dropping ripe fruit faster than we can eat it, so I decided to make guacamole to go along with fish in a lime marinade.  I have only used the marinade for steak, but discovered tonight that it is also good with halibut.  I served the fish with brown rice, guacamole, & salsa.  The guacamole & salsa were not B+ blood type diet friendly, but they were homemade & delicious! 

Roasted Turkey Vegetable Noodle Soup

When I am sick, no food is more appealing to me than hot, homemade soup.  Tonight I made a large batch of roasted turkey soup with noodles & vegetables.  I used the vegetables I had, but like most soups, you can use what you prefer or what you have on hand rather than run out to the store for missing ingredients.  If made without the noodles, this soup will freeze well (the noodles will be mushy if frozen then defrosted).  For the turkey, I used this recipe which I previously posted.

Savory Egg & Millet Bake

The other night I made flank steak with a side of millet.  As usual, I made too much millet & had to figure out what to do with the leftovers.  As an experiment, I came up with this tasty egg dish.  I ate it throughout the week with salad for lunch, but it could be a meal anytime of the day.  The ingredients I used were what was already in my fridge; it would be very easy to make other variations based on what you have available.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD....NASTY!

I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to eat is genetically modified food.  California Proposition 37 is a ballot initiative for the November election that would require labeling of food made with genetically modified ingredients.  If this passes in CA, GMO labeling may be seen nationwide.  If you have time, please take a look at the petition & sign it.  The public list of financial backing for & against the initiative is very interesting.  

Thank you for leaving a comment, if you choose to.  I read each one, & genuinely appreciate your feedback!  

PEACH BANANA OATMEAL

Tonight I made a batch of oatmeal for the next two mornings so that I won’t have to make breakfast before work.  I had a very ripe peach & a brown-speckled banana, so I made this easy, healthy oatmeal.

CAPRESE SALAD WITH A TWIST

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, & I hope you’ll like what I came up with tonight.  I made an easy salad with summer vegetables (some from my sister-in-law’s garden) that was a quick, light, & perfect for a hot summer night. 

PERUVIAN GREEN SPAGHETTI

This week I made Peruvian green spaghetti, an easy, healthy, quick dinner perfect for hot summer nights.   I made this from memory, & it’s pretty difficult to mess it up.  Serve it as a side or main dish with pasta of your choice.  This sauce is also great on bread.

GINGER PEACH SMOOTHIE

Today I made another refreshing smoothie, perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.   I have been a bit lazy about cooking new meals lately, but today I tried out a new (to me) smoothie that I really liked. This smoothie is full of calcium & protein from the milk; vitamin C, vitamin A, b-carotene, a little iron, & fiber from the peaches, & yummy  fresh ginger. 

STRAWBERRY LOQUAT AQUA FRESCA

If you are lucky enough to have a loquat tree or know someone who shares, you probably have more loquats than you know what to do with right now!  My coworker has been bringing bags to work, so I’m starting to think of ways to enjoy them aside from just peeling & eating them.  Today, I made what I’m calling strawberry-loquat aqua fresca.  It’s super easy, refreshing, & loaded with vitamin C, flavenoids, vitamin A, dietary fiber, potassium, and manganese (source: Wikipedia).  Next up: Loquat Jam.

PERFECT PORTION INFOGRAPHIC FROM CALORIE COUNTER