Spinach Pancakes

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

I find it really difficult to pair a vegetable with breakfast foods. I've tried making zucchini hash browns, adding spinach to my eggs or peppers and onions to an omelet but aside from those ideas it's REALLY hard especially when I'm craving a sweet breakfast food.

BUT I think I found the solution to my dilemma: spinach pancakes!

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 c. rolled oats

1/4 c. wheat flour

1/3 c. almond milk

1 cup spinach

1/2 banana

(you can use 1/2 c. rolled oats and omit the flour if you'd like, but the flour helps the pancakes rise)

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in a blender & blend on medium until smooth. Cook on a griddle or in a pan like any other pancake. Simple enough?!

I use either pure maple syrup or peanut butter as a topping. This recipe makes about 6 medium sized pancakes. I double it & have leftovers that I can reheat, add peanut butter & fold over like a taco (ha!).

If you try this recipe, don't forget to comment & let me know what you think!

Mediterranean Meatballs

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

On Sunday, I went to the Kamms Corner Farmer's Market not really realizing that fresh vegetables in Ohio aren't even close to being ready to harvest. I settled for getting fresh grass-fed meat from a local vendor and some fresh dill (which I was honestly clueless on how to prepare).

Last night, Kevin was supposed to come home and cook turkey burgers on the grill, but he ended up going to physical therapy for his back so I had NO idea what I was doing for dinner. When I opened the fridge I saw turkey meat that needed cooked and I smelled the dill and suddenly I was inspired to create this recipe straight from my head and it turned out AMAZING!!! 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 fist full of kale, sliced

1 c. onions, chopped

1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp. fresh dill

1/4 c. parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Goya seasoning

Directions:

This is the tough part... mix ALL the ingredients (except EVOO)  in a mixing bowl and form meatballs to your desired size. Either in a frying pan or baking dish, coat pan with EVOO and cook the meatballs until golden brown.

Considering the heat I'm dealing with in Cleveland (without A/C in our house), I opted to NOT turn on the oven and use the stove top.

Don't forget to leave a comment if you try this recipe! It was a hit with Kevin who claims to not like meatballs - who doesn't like meatballs?!

When I Look To The Sky (published 2017)

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

As each year passes, I keep thinking it's going to get easier and some years I'm so distracted with my own shit that it doesn't affect me as much, but this year is not one of them. This year, I will be turning 29 years old - the same age my mom was when she passed away.

My mom's last New Year's celebration ringing in 2000

Isn't it weird how the mind works? I can remember turning 24 and thinking, "wow, I've officially lived as long without my mom as I did with her" and when I turned 25 I thought, "well now I've lived longer without my mom than with her." Definitely not the healthiest thought process, but I can't help my mind from going there...

Momma's girl (date unknown)

I usually avoid allowing myself to feel anything on these significant days, but this year felt different. I've allowed myself to feel it and I've been feeling it all day. I woke up this morning and immediately opened a photo album and I decided to drive to work (instead of take the train) so I could have some music therapy which ultimately just turned into me bawling in rush hour traffic (that wasn't the safest idea...sorry, dad).

Here are a few of my 'music therapy' songs (in no particular order):

Train "When I Look to the Sky"

Dixie Chicks "Cowboy Take Me Away"

Pearl Jam "Last Kiss"

Gary Allen "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)"

Don Henley "Boys of Summer"

And thank you to everyone for reaching out and sharing such kind messages and even memories of my mom. It means more to me than I can say. If you knew my mom, I'm interested in knowing what songs make you think of her and why. Or what songs make you think of a lost loved one in your life?

Chicken Parm

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken, cut into tenders

2 fists full of spinach
1 c. onions, chopped
3-4 mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1/2 c. parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

3 c. liveGfree organic brown rice & quinoa noodles
6.7oz Priano Roso (Sun-Dried Tomato) Pesto Sauce (pictured)
Goya Sazonador Total

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chicken into tenders and season with Goya on both sides. Bake for 20-30 minutes. While chicken is cooking, bring a pot to boil for the noodles and prepare veggies. In a saute pan on medium-high heat, use extra virgin olive oil to saute chopped onions, whole-leaf spinach and sliced mushrooms. Add noodles into the boiling water while the veggies continue to cook. If timed right, everything should be cooked around the same time. Drain the noodles, add sun-dried tomato pesto and veggies into the large pot and mix thoroughly. Plate the pasta first and add chicken then top with parmesean cheese. If you want the cheese baked onto the chicken, add the parmesean cheese when there are 2 minutes left in the oven.


I serve according to the 21 Day Fix portion fix system to ensure I'm not overeating because I could eat ALL the pasta! 

Comment below if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your thoughts! And if you want more information on the 21 Day Fix and the portion fix system email me!

Shrimp & Spinach

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

I'm a huge fan of seafood - huge. However, my fiance only likes certain things: scallops, light fish mainly. Not shrimp. So I'm not able to cook shrimp as often as I'd like because who wants to cook two meal?!

One night he wasn't really 'in the mood to eat' - psh, men! Who's ever not in the mood to eat?? & I whipped up this quickie with some shrimp I always have on standby in the freezer.

Ingredients

1 tsp. EVOO

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 sweet onion, sliced

2 c. spinach

1 c. shrimp (I used frozen)

Directions

In a saute pan, add EVOO and shrimp for a minute or two. Add garlic, spinach and onions. Saute until shrimp is pink, spinach is wilted and the onions are tender.

Talk about an easy recipe! & as always, let me know what you think of any of the recipes of mine you try!

Caprese Chicken

- published in 2017 from my previous blog -

Guys, this recipe is soooo simple!! & I'm absolutely obsessed with it!

 Caprese chicken w. spinach noodles from Aldi! 

Ingredients

1lb chicken breast

2 slices Mozzarella cheese

1 medium tomato

6.7oz can of your favorite pesto

Carbohydrate of your choice: noodle or rice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet (atop foil for easy clean up) or a casserole dish and cook for 20-25 minutes. Once the chicken is nearly done, coat each breast with a spoonful of pesto then place 1 piece of Mozzarella cheese & a slice (or two) of tomato. Place back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes until chicken is completely cooked, cheese is melted & tomato is soft. Cook your carbohydrate according to instructions and mix in remaining pesto. Serve a chicken breast on top of 1 carb serving (spinach noodles pictured above) - Enjoy! 

Note: I also mixed spinach in with my carbohydrate because I recently found out my fiance really enjoys spinach so I've been adding it to everything to give him an extra serving of greens!