Healthy Vegetarian Dinner: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Pasta Salad

      I have never done a food blog before but I am constantly cooking and sharing it on facebook(I know people hate that) so I thought I would document myself cooking dinner with my camera and share it with everyone!

      I am a vegetarian, a mother and a wife so I am always creating different things to keep my husband happy(he's not a vegetarian) and sometimes it takes a LOT of creativity! This meal I just kind of whipped together because I realized I bought a bunch of sweet potatoes last week and wanted to make something different.

 

I started out by stabbing the sweet potatoes with a fork, I used four potatoes, to release the steam as they cooked. I then placed them on a baking sheet, drizzled them with extra virgin olive oil then sprinkled rosemary and grinded cracked black peppercorn on top of them. I put them into the oven that I had preheated to 400 degrees, they take about an hour to fully cook.

 

 

Next, I started to work on the pasta salad while the sweet potatoes were baking(they smelt absolutely delicious too!) I used Garden Delight pasta but you could use any pasta you have on hand. I put about 3/4 the box in a saucepan with boiling water and cooked until tender.

 

Meanwhile, I washed and diced my veggies. I had salad cucumbers, radishes and carrots on hand so that's what I chose to use. You could use any vegetable you like in this pasta salad!

 

Once the pasta is fully cooked, rinse over with cold water to cool the noodles down.

 

Next, I added a couple tablespoon of minced garlic, some black olives, a tablespoon or two of Annie's Naturals Goddess dressing and a splash of Margetti Lemon Vinaigrette. I added all of that to the vegetables, stirred in the pasta then put a lid on the bowl and placed it in the fridge to chill before the potatoes were ready!

 

 

After putting the pasta salad in the fridge, I started on the filling for the sweet potatoes. In a small saucepan, over low heat, I added in a can of Hunts diced tomatoes(drained), basil, oregano, garlic(all to taste) and a can of organic black beans(drained).

 

 

I had a little down time to munch on some yummy blackberries...

 

 

And play with my daughter, who was making the kitchen floor her new resting spot and talking on her 'phone'.

 

And then the sweet potatoes were done!

 

 

Slice open the sweet potato.

 

Spoon in the heated tomato and black bean mixture.

 

Add a dollop of sour cream(or not if you would like to make your meal vegan).

 

Remove your pasta salad from the fridge and add a generous portion to your plate.

 

I also added some cottage cheese to my plate too.

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 



Silk City Saloon.

Today my husband and I decided to try a new restaurant that just opened up in the area, the Silk City Saloon. I honestly didn't have high expectations going in there but I was delightfully surprised when I saw a "build-you-own-burger" selection on the menu. See, I am vegetarian and it's really hard in this area to find vegetarian items on a menu besides a salad...so building my own burger sounded fantastic!

First off these burgers came on a pretzel roll which I have never tried but sounded amazing then next I chose my toppings: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, green olives, sautéed mushrooms and mayonnaise. I also ordered a "veggie flatizza" appetizer that was a flatbread with artichoke sauce, bruschetta, mozzarella cheese and sautéed mushrooms! I love mushrooms, if you can't tell. Haha.

 

 

 

The food took a little longer that it should have, I work in a restaurant so I know when there's only one table ordering food that it should come out really fast...especially with what we ordered BUT the food was worth the wait and of course, I didn't complain to the waitress...being a waitress myself I know it's not her fault and how annoying it is when people bitch about stuff like that.

 

The veggie flatizza was really wet...like soaked in grease maybe but it was still tasted good and the veggie burger I built was AMAZING! The pretzel bun was delicious and I really enjoyed my meal.

 

 

 



I had a yummy sex on the beach and my husband had a founders all day IPA, I hate beer but according to him that stuff is amazing.

 

<3

Great Weight Loss Tips

1. You need to know that if you want to lose weight for good you must change your eating habits permanently not just for a short period of time otherwise known as a "diet".

2. Never have less than 1,200 calories a day. It may end up slowing your metabolism and backfiring on you.

3. NEVER grocery shop hungry. You will make bad decisions when it comes to picking out food.

4. Don't skip breakfast. People who eat breakfast tend to eat less throughout the day.

5. Drink a large glass of water before your meal and during. It helps you feel fuller.

6. Use smaller plates. You will eat less because you actually think you eat more if you clear your plate.

7. Chew sugarless gum while you cook so you don't snack and nibble.

8. Plan your meals weekly so you don't resort to fast food.

9. Always have the dressings and sauces served on the side.

10. When you feel yourself craving something try and distract yourself for 20 minutes that is how long it takes for a craving to go away!

11. When ever you are craving something try and eat it in it's healthiest form. For example, if you're craving french fries opt for a baked potato.

12. Work out first thing in the morning so no matter how hectic your schedule is that day you have already exercised.

13. Crank your favorite up beat music while you work out, it will make it go by faster and become more enjoyable.

14. Keep a food diary. If you write down everything you eat in a day it will help you to eat less.

15. REMEMBER every small change will add up. Just giving up butter on your toast will help you lose up to 12 pounds in a year!

Healthy

    It's been a week since I started my "Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred" DVD. I did it two days in a row then had to take a much needed three day break, I'm so out of shape that I could hardly walk or sit down! But I got myself motivated and did it yesterday and today and I'm not feeling sore at all! It's a very intense 20 minute work out...it's a little difficult (probably because I'm so out of shape) but I enjoy the fact that it's only 20 minutes! I'm debating if I want to add in the yoga and tae bo every other day as well but I can't seem to find the time my daughter has been especially whiney lately but she's 5 months old so I think she might be starting to teeth, yippy! haha.
    Anyway, along with the working out I have been trying really hard to eat healthier and I read about this drink that is suppose to help with weight loss and has many other benefits. The drink is 8 oz of water, 2 tablespoons of honey, a squirt of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar. I warm it up for about a minute and a half in the microwave then try and drink it as fast as possible haha. It's not too bad...it taste like apple juice to me but it's a little acidy and if you smell it you just smell pure vinegar and it's a bit off putting. But online it says to drink it 3 times a day but I've only been drinking it once a day. I might try and drink it a bit more but it's just not something that I would enjoy drinking throughout the day.
    Since I have been exercising and eating healthier this past week I have lost 1 pound. It isn't much but I always seem to get stuck on the 10's like 130/140/150 you know? So after being stuck at that weight for a week I finally dropped below it which feels so great! I just hope my belly starts to shrink...it's the one thing that has really been bothering me lately. Having a baby is just torture on your belly :[ It get's all squashy and mushy afterwards...yuck! I just want it to goooo away now but I'm trying to be patient.
    I've been making wraps for lunch, if anyone is trying to eat healthy I highly recommend eating them! I made them for dinner last night and my husband even thought it was amazing. How I made it was first a wheat tortilla shell then I coated it with homemade guacamole. Which I made that with one avocado(mashed), some fresh diced tomato, a tablespoon of minced garlic, a squirt of lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Then I sprinkled the wrap with crumbled feta cheese and added the meat. I used turkey but you can use any meat, I love it with Salmon too. Then I threw on a decent amount of diced cucumber, a good handful of fresh spinach leaves then wrap it up and it was ready to eat! If I don't add the guacamole I usually add some pepper and garlic before I wrap it up but it's already in the guacamole. It is SOOOO good! And most of the food that I put in it are "superfoods". If you've never heard of them here's a link: http://www.fitwatch.com/weight-loss/10-superfoods-to-a-slimmer-you-133.html Those a just a small selection of the superfoods to help you lose weight. I don't think avocado was on that list but it's said that half an avocado a day with melt belly fat away! That is the reason I decided to try the guacamole in the wrap and it worked out beautifully.
    It's 2:00 am so I should probably get to sleep but I just wanted to keep everyone updated on my weight loss which is now 45 pounds I've lost in 5 months! Whoot. Have a wonderful night everyone :]

And it Begins

I am getting myself prepared and ready to start eating super healthy and to exercise everyday! I just went to the store and bought some healthy groceries, a scale and a work-out DVD. I ordered a TaeBo and Yoga DVD on Amazon but I'm too impatient and they're not getting here quick enough.  I have already lost 44 pounds since I had my daughter October 8th but since I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy I still have 12 pounds of baby weight to lose and on top of that I want to lose another 18 pounds. Can't wait to start the new exercise tomorrow! :]

Homemade Nutella Poptarts

source: http://crazyadventuresinparenting.com/2013/02/homemade-pop-tarts-heart-shaped.html

Homemade Nutella Poptarts!!

You can click on the link for the recipe but it just consists of nutella and pie crust! So simple. Can't wait to try this :]

Valentine's Day Desserts

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would share a bunch of delicious recipes that I have found on pinterest over the past couple years. These would all be perfect for anyone to make tonight if they are having a romantic dinner at home! Enjoy!

S'mores Cups

Ingredients:

7  whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)

1/4 cup powdered sugar

6 tablespoons butter, melted

4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided

12 large marshmallows

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.

Place 1 tablespoon of crumb mixture in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Firmly press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place one rectangle into each cup.

Cut marshmallows in half crosswise using shears dipped in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.

Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 24 cups.

source: http://www.texascottageblog.com/2011/08/smore-cups.html

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp red food coloring

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

8-oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease.

In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir with a fork until very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add in the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Batter should be red. If a brighter red is desired, add an additional 1/2 tsp food coloring. Add flour and salt into the bowl and stir until everything is just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.

Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.

Prepare cheesecake mixture. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Drop in dollops onto prepared brownie batter. Gently swirl two batters with a butter knife.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.

Cool in the pan completely before slicing and serving, either at room temperature or chilled.

Brownies can be refrigerated, covered, for several days.

Makes 16 large brownies or 24 smaller brownies

source: http://bakingbites.com/2010/12/red-velvet-cheesecake-brownies/

Double Chocolate Espresso Peanut Butter Filled Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

3/4 cup dutch processed cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

8 tbs. unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

¾ cup chocolate chips

1 tsp instant espresso powder

Directions:

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder. Set aside.

In another bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars. Stir in the egg and vanilla. 

Gradually mix in the flour mixture to the wet mixture, until just incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Seperate the dough into two and roll them into 2 uniform logs about 12 inches long. Refrigerate it until firm enough to slice.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the logs into 1 inch and place 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the dough looks just baked. The cookies should be tender, so do not over bake.

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING

2 cups powdered sugar

6 tbsp softened unsalted butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tbs milk

Cream all the ingredients together until well mixed. Use immediately.

source:  http://lovintheoven.com/2011/02/double-chocolate-espresso-sandwich-cookies-with-peanut-butter-frosting.html

Gluten Free Nutella Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Base:

150g Dry Gluten Free Cookies, such as graham crackers

50-60g butter, cubedCheesecake:

390g cream cheese, at room temperature

50g light brown sugar

90g Nutella

40g gluten free chocolate chips

In a food processor whiz the cookies and butter until crumbs are formed. Scoop spoonfuls into base of pots, press down lightly. You want the crumb lightly compressed, but not as much as a regular cheesecake.

Make sure you clean your food processor before making the cheesecake or you'll have crunchy cheesecake!

For the cheesecake whiz together the cream cheese, sugar and nutella until smooth. Stop procesor and check taste, you may add more nutella if you desire. Add the choc chips and whiz on high for a minute or two until the chocolate chips are chopped into fine pieces.

Divide cheesecake between the pots. Cover and refrigerate for 6hours, or until set.

Remove from fridge approx 20minutes before serving so that they aren't fridge cold. 

source: http://www.glutenfreescallywag.com/2010/07/gluten-free-recipe-nutella-cheesecake.html

1. 
   Cake Batter Chocolate Chips Cookies
   
   
   Ingredients
   • 1 and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
   • 1 and 1/4 cup yellow or white boxed cake mix
   • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
   • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
   • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
   • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
   • 1 egg, at room temperature
   • 1.5 teaspoons vanilla
   • 1 cup chocolate chips (I used a blend of white and semi-sweet chocolate chips)
   • 1/2 cup sprinkles
   Directions:
   In a large bowl, sift together flour, cake mix, and baking soda.  Set aside.  In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugars on medium speed.  Mix in the egg and vanilla until creamy.
   Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.  Do not OVERMIX the dough. Fold in the chocolate chips and sprinkles.
   Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 days.  This step is mandatory. The dough is fairly sticky, so chilling the dough is required in order to avoid the cookie from spreading too much.
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
   Scoop rounded tablespoons of the cold dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Shape your cookie dough balls to be “taller” than they are wide, as pictured above.  Make sure to keep dough chilled when working in batches. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly browned.  (Mine took 10 minutes exactly). The centers will still appear very soft, but the cookies will set as they cool.
   Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 4 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
   source: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/12/09/recipe-round-2-cake-batter-chocolate-chip-cookies/
   
   
   
   
   
   Red Velvet Cookies N Cream Magic Bars
   Ingredients:
   
   

   1. 1 box red velvet cake mix

   1. 1/2 cup oil

   1. 2 eggs

   1. 1 splash vanilla extract

   1. About 15 Oreos, coarsely crushed

   1. About 20-25 cookies n cream Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

   1. 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

   1. Wilton Cookies n Cream Sprinkles (available at Walmart and Michael’s), optional
   Directions:
   
   

   1. 1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with foil and mist lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.

   1. 2. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla with a rubber spatula until blended. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for approx. 10 minutes.

   1. 3. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately top with the crushed Oreos, unwrapped Kisses, and sprinkles in an even layer. Drizzle evenly with the scmilk. Return the pan to the oven and continue to bake, until golden and bubbly, approx. 10-15 minutes.

   1. 4. Allow the bars to come to room temperature before cutting into squares. Store leftovers airtight, at room temperature, for several days.
   source: http://thedomesticrebel.com/2013/01/31/red-velvet-cookies-n-cream-magic-bars/

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Triple Layer Fudgy Mint Oreo Brownies
   Ingredients:
   one 7-ounce jar Marshmallow Fluff
   1/8 teaspoon mint extract*
   8 drops+ green food coloring, or until desired shade of green is reached
   1 batch of brownies – see ingredients below in step 2 (or use 1 box of brownie mix – make according to directions on the box by adding the water, oil, eggs)
   12 Cool Mint Oreo Cookies + 18 Cool Mint Oreo Cookies (almost an entire 17-ounce package), hand-crumbled
   3/4 cup white chocolate chips, melted
   1 cup vanilla frosting – see ingredients below in step 4 (or use 1 cup storebought vanilla frosting; use the entire plastic container if you want a thicker final green layer)
   Directions:
   1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with foil and spray it with cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir together marshmallow fluff, mint extract* (be very careful and do not use more than this unless you love mint; a little bit of mint goes a very long way), 4 drops of food coloring, or until light green is achieved (known now as ‘green minty marshmallow mixture’)
   2. In a large bowl, prepare the brownie mix as directed on box, using water, oil, eggs, and fold in 12 hand-crumbled Oreos at the end.
   or make brownies from scratch (based on my Fudgy Nutella Brownies):
   4 ounces baking chocolate (I used 9 squares of TJ’s 72% chocolate bar or use 4 squares Baker’s Chocolate, semi-sweet)
   3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted (1 1/2 sticks)
   2 cups sugar
   3 eggs
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   2 tablespoons espresso or brewed coffee, optional
   1 cup all-purpose flour
   12 Cool Mint Oreo Cookies, crumbled
   Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwave-safe bowl for 90 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar (it will seem very granular, this is okay). Stir in eggs and vanilla. If adding espresso or coffee, add it now. Stir in flour until just combined, do not overmix. Hand-crumble Oreos over the bowl and fold them in.
   3. Spread brownie batter in prepared pan. Drop about 1/2 cup of green minty marshmallow mixture onto brownie batter and reserve the remainder. Gently pull a table knife through the batter in S-shaped curves for a swirled design. Bake 23 to 25 minutes or until brownies are set, taking care not to overbake. (Some people’s ovens and taste preferences may require 25-30 minutes, bake until brownies are done and to your liking) Cool completely, about 1 hour, or put the pan into the freezer for 10 minutes if you’re rushed.
   4. While brownies are cooling, make vanilla frosting by combining the following and beating until fluffy (or use 1 cup storebought vanilla frosting – or use entire can if you want a thicker final green layer) and set finished frosting aside.
   1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
   3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   splash of milk, if necessary for consistency
   5. In another small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips (microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir and microwave 30 seconds longer; stir until smooth, taking care not to scorch it as white chocolate scorches easily). Add the melted white chocolate chips and the vanilla frosting to the reserved green minty marshmallow mixture. Stir in 4 drops+ food coloring, or until light green color is reached, and spread over cooled brownies. Sprinkle with 18 hand-crumbled Oreo Cookies, slightly pressing them into the green mixture. Allow top layer to set fully before slicing and serving. I prefer these bars chilled and I store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container or store in the freezer for up to 3 months.Note: Use regular Oreos if you can’t find Mint Oreos and possibly add a touch more mint extract to the ‘green minty marshmallow mixture’ in Step 1 if desired.
   source: http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2012/02/triple-layer-fudgy-mint-oreo-brownies.html
   
   
   Happy Valentines Day Everyone!
   I hope you all have a very lovely day!