Disclaimer: this is a sponsored opportunity with Foodie.com. All opinions are my own and I am seriously loving these recipes.
So it’s that time of year again when we are all looking for healthy recipes to help us stay on track to accomplishing out healthy living goals. However we don’t just want healthy recipes we want recipes that are exciting, tastes good and satisfies all our cravings. I’ve created a collection of my favorite healthy recipes that will satisfy you from breakfast to dinner and everywhere in between.
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I don’t know why but this year the time change has really thrown me right off schedule. Absolutely nothing, except my run, got done yesterday and Edith’s naps and our meals and everything were just way off. Anyways it has also thrown my mornings off when I normally work so I have been lagging on getting this (and many other) posts out. So anyways lets get down to it.
So last month I wrote about a food spending challenge that I had set out for our family. We challenged ourselves to spend no more than $825 and it was broken down like this:
Groceries: 84 meals at $5 per meal +Coffee/Alcohol/Chocolate/Snacks + Oil/Spices = $550
9 meals out + Coffee Out = $275 (mini goal $200)
Now for some of you $825 may still have seemed like a lot but since we had been spending closer to $1000+ on everything. I know crazy. So now the question is did we succeed?
YES!
It feels so good to actually tell you that yes I actually successfully completed one of my challenges.
We even had a date night in which is why we didn’t meet our mini dining out goal but overall we did really well.
So how did we do it:
Menu Planning. I tried my best to create a menu for the week and a shopping list and buy only what was on my list and to stick to the plan as close as possible.
Shop Deals. I really shopped the sales and swapped out ingredients when I was able to for less expensive ones.
Dine out at Happy Hour. This nice thing about Portland is that most places have happy hour from 4-6 and sometimes later and since having a toddler means we turn into old people eating dinner at 5/5:30pm works for us. This means less expensive drinks and eats for the whole family!
Chinook Book (or any local discount book). In Vermont we used to buy deals on Localvore Today and yearly we bought a Buy Local Coupon book. Out here in Portland we buy the Chinook Book app that we can use right from our phone. Both have local deals at restaurants, coffee shops, stores and other local businesses. We are able to support local businesses while also saving money!
Reflections:
Dining out actually feels like a treat and more FUN! We have really cut back on meals out that are just out of laziness and are focusing on going out for a treat. Now when we do go out to eat we really enjoy the family time and get more out of the experience.
We have been going to the grocery store less. Before when we were going out to eat so often we were also going to the market all the time. I mean like almost every day. CRAZY. Now we go on one big grocery trip and then mid/end of the week we might pick up a few things because I seem to always forget my list or forget to get everything on my list even when i do bring it.
I want to keep with it. Now I want to keep with eating the majority of our meals at home however the one change I will be making is I might spend a little more here and there on ingredients that are a little fresher. I found we ate a lot more frozen veggies, beans and grains and I would rather be eating more fresh vegetables.
For the past three years Neil and I have done a harvest beer/pumpkin beer tasting (2010, 2011, 2012) and this year was no different except we are now on the other side of the country where there is a major lack of pumpkin beer options. Anyways we decided to have our friends over and we did a blind tasting of 6 different pumpkin beers, or rather it was 4 pumpkin beers, one pumpkin cider and one combo or pumpkin beer and oatmeal stout.
Of course a pumpkin beer dinner party is complete without dinner so first I whipped up some appetizers of chips, salsa, veggies and hummus and then for dinner we had vegan caesar salad and pizza. Now this post is really about the beer and the pizza so let’s first do a run down of the pumpkin beers (and cider) that we had and then I’ll share my recipe or a yummy fall pizza.
Okay so the beers we tried were:
Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale
Elysian Night Owl
Ace Hard Pumpkin Cider
St. Ambroise Pumpkin
KBC Pumpkin Ale (Trader Joe’s)
KBC Pumpkin Ale + Stockyard Oatmeal Stout
Favorite of the night: Elysian Night Owl. Runner Up: Ace Hard Pumpkin Cider
Now on to the tasty stuff the pizza! As you might already know we are big fans of pizza around here and I really enjoy creating fun and new topping combinations. Last nights combination was a bit of a risk but I would say it was a success, a delicious success! I have been working on a few recipes using Upton’s Seitan products and this pizza uses my absolute favorite product of theirs, seitan bacon. Seriously this stuff is so good!
If you have experienced vegan bacon in the past you may have had what I like to call “cardboard” version, you know the one that you cook and it gets really hard and loses any flavor it’s just gross. Then there is the tempeh and coconut versions which are both tasty but not so versatile. Well now Upton’s has a seitan bacon and it is seriously so good. It cooks up well, it tastes great and I have used it for so many different recipes although I have to say a good ol’ BLT is my favorite way to use it, however this recipe is probably my new favorite way to use it now.
Okay, okay let’s get on to the recipe!
Upton’s Seitan Bacon Harvest Pizza Pie
1 whole wheat pizza dough
1/3 cup pesto (use your favorite or make this one)
1/3 cup apple slices (I used Mountain Rose but Granny Smith would be great)
Preheat your oven (and pizza stone if you have one) to 550F. Roll out the dough cover with a layer of pesto and then top with all of your toppings. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove. Let rest for a few minutes. Serve. (Easy right?)
Little note about Upton’s (from a recent press release of theirs): Upton’s Naturals—a Chicago company specializing in a wheat-based meat alternative, seitan—has opened West Town’s very first 100 percent vegan establishment, housing their production facility, a top floor yoga studio, and Upton’s Breakroom: a vegan cafe with a modest menu featuring the company’s seitan, soft serve ice cream, and pastries created in-house by Chicago-area native Kelly Peloza (author of The Vegan Cookie Connoisseur and the soon-to-be released Cheers to Vegan Sweets).
So Chicago friends if you’re in the West Town neighborhood stop on by and check out Upton’s Breakroom and enjoy a yoga class or a vegan ice cream! I just checked out the menu and a vegan pastrami sandwich sounds so good. I am hoping we make a Chicago trip soon and this will for sure be on our list!
Disclaimer: I was provided coupons for free Upton’s Seitan products. All opinions are my own and I really am excited about their new location!
Mama Pea has done it again, she has released another family friendly cookbook. As a new mom I am always on the lookout for tasty, healthy and quick recipes to create for my family and More Peas, Thank You has all three of these components. Not only is this cookbook filled with scrumptious recipes it is also filled with Sarah’s humorous writing. I mean really, how many cookbooks can you read and find yourself rolling on the floor in laughter.
This book is filled with a ton of really great recipes including her famous MMMM Sauce which we have been making on a regular basis over here. It is also filled with tasty recipes that you haven’t seen before like this one for Sunrise Smoothies. This recipe is husband, mama and baby approved.
Sunrise Smoothies
Makes 4 smoothies
INGREDIENTS
1 1⁄2 cups frozen strawberries
1 1⁄2 cups apple juice
stevia, honey or agave to taste (optional)
1 cup frozen mango
1⁄2 cup frozen pineapple
1 1⁄2 cups orange juice
4 strawberries, to garnish (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a blender, combine strawberries, apple juice and sweetener, if using.
2. Pour strawberry smoothie carefully into 4 glasses, and transfer glasses to freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow strawberry layer to set.
3. Rinse out blender and put in mango, pineapple, orange juice and sweetener, if using. Blend until smooth. Remove glasses from freezer and carefully pour mango smoothie into each one to achieve a layered effect.
4. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and serve.
Nutrition information per serving: 150 calories, 0 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 30 g sugar, 1 g protein, vitamin A 8%, vitamin C 130%, calcium 4%, iron 6%
Optional ingredients and toppings not included in analysis.
PEA POINTS
The longer you let the strawberry layer set, the more distinct the divide will be between the layers. You can also make these in Popsicle molds for a two-tone frozen summer treat.
In addition to this Sunrise Smoothie we have enjoyed the Quinoa-Zucchini Lasagna and MMMM Sauce in various forms (mac and mmm, with steamed veggies and rice, on toast). So far we have enjoyed everything we have made from More Peas, Thank You and I am planning to keep this cookbook in my rotation.
Giveaway Time:
The prize is a ton of fun, and includes:
Insulated Cooler Bag
Stainless Steel Tumbler with Straw
Glass Fruit Infuser Bottle
A copy of More Peas, Thank You
One lucky winner will win this package but first you have to enter!
Over the past few months I have become addicted to making acai bowls for breakfast and I am working on a few recipes to share with you. I actually had planned to share a new recipe today for the first ever National Acai Bowl Day but alas it just didn’t happen (life as a mom). Anyways I did want to share some more info about this special day
More than 300 juice and smoothie bars in 30-plus states are participating by offering açaí bowls at half price. Additionally, National Açaí Bowl Day will be celebrated at Sambazon’s two Açaí Café locations in Southern California. To find specific locations, you can visit the Sambazon.com store locator and choose National Acai Bowl Day under “Products” list.
We are heading to KURE on Hawthorne to pick up our bowls this morning- so excited!
Have you ever had an acai bowl? What is your favorite kind?
I am head over heels in love with the new Mamma Chia snack, Chia Squeeze, they are honestly insanely delicious. I have been snacking on them after my runs and reluctantly let Neil try one and my friend Fawn try another flavor (looking back I wish I hadn’t shared they are that good.)
These little packets contain/are:
Chia + Fruit + Vegetables
1200mg Omega-3
Good Source of Fiber
Gluten Free and Vegan
Only 70 Calories
No Added Sugar
Non-GMO
USDA Certified Organic
Like I said I have been enjoying these after runs and the other day I was sucking one of these back while stretching. Edith was sitting on the floor with me and as soon as she saw the packet she got excited and crawled over and attempted to take it from me, I think she knew how good it was….or maybe it just reminded her of her fruit and veggie packets, anyways she wanted it. I finished the packet it tossed it in the trash small trash bin in the living room and then went to grab a fruit and veggie puree packet for Edith to snack on since I teased her with my Mamma Chia Squeeze. In the two seconds I was gone she had fished the empty packet from the trash and was just about to put the (capped) end into her mouth when I recovered and swapped it out for her own packet of food. Needless to say the girl knew how good it was and would go to any length to get just a taste.
Honestly, there are very few products that I gush over (most I just like or really like) but this is one that I love. It is a product that I plan on going out and buying mass quantities of it is that good. I also think it is the perfect post workout snack because it is sweet but low in calories and sugar. Also did you know chia seeds offer a complete nutritional profile of omega-3, balanced dietary fiber, complete protein, antioxidants and minerals? Neat, eh?
Have you ever tried Mamma Chia? What is your favorite post workout snack?
I love pizza. I mean really what American person doesn’t have at least a small love for pizza? I couldn’t eat it every day but once a week and I’d be a happy girl. Neil is a pizza crust making (wannabe) master so he often is cooking us up some delicious pizzas but it takes a lot of time to make your own crust so it’s always a planning process.
Most of the time when I want pizza it’s more of an I want it right now kind of desire so I’m happy to have found Rustic Crust handcrafted crusts that have no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, GMOs, or added sugar. Additionally, Rustic Crusts have gluten-free, whole-grain and organic varieties.
I have been loving the personalized sized Gluten Free Napoli Herb pizza crusts. They are the perfect size for me to top and enjoy for lunch. I have been topping them with Rustic Crust 100% all-natural pizza sauce and my favorite toppings.
Rustic Crust Gluten Free Napoli Herb topped with Rustic Crust Pizza Sauce, mushrooms, onions, vegan sausage and spicy peppers
Rustic Crust Gluten Free Napoli Herb topped with Rustic Crust Pizza Sauce, wild mushrooms, and caramelized onions
In addition to enjoying Rustic Crust Neil and I have been enjoying American Flatbread frozen pizzas which hold a special place in our hearts. When I was pregnant with Edith we would go to American Flatbread in Burlington, VT after every midwife appointment. It was a favorite spot of ours and now that we are on the West Coast we are able to find American Flatbread in local supermarkets, health, and gourmet stores nationwide and enjoy them from the comfort of our own home.
Just like at their restaurants all American Flatbread frozen pizzas are made with a 100% organically grown wheat crust and topped with fresh herbs, vegetables and the finest of cheeses (or vegan cheese). They’re all-natural, with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and handcrafted from scratch, hand-formed, and par-baked in wood-fired ovens.
We recently were able to try one of American Flatbread‘s new flavors, which is vegan, the Farmers Tomato Pie – A dairy-free pizza with tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, red wine, balsamic vinegar and a dash of maple syrup. We also enjoyed the Vegan Harvest which is a vegan cheese pizza that is topped with fresh tomato sauce, garlic, herbs and Dayia dairy-free cheese. Although both of these pizzas are tasty I’m so glad that American Flatbread came out of a vegan cheese free pie because I’m not always in the mood for vegan cheese but I’m usually always in the mood for pizza.
You can download the following Rustic Crust & American Flatbread coupons -American Flatbread $2 off coupon link http://bit.ly/WU7Hr3 ; Rustic Crust $1 off coupon link http://bit.ly/139bmAC
Rustic Crust & American Flatbread compensated me for this Campaign. All opinions are my own.
