Pumpkin Smash Smoothie

I had the best idea to add pumpkin instead of spinach in my daily post-cardio drink. It was to die for...so thick and still fruity and fresh.
I add in a blender:
1 cup water or almond milk or skim milk
1/2 frozen banana
3 tbsps of pumkin puree
ground flaxseeds
cinnamon
1/2 scoop protein powder (optional)
optional ice

Veal Stew...Italian Style

I like to make my stew with veal or bison, because of the nutritional value is higher in bison than beef.

I have different variations but usually I use:

1 lb cubed veal

1/4 c flour

1 can of tomato sauce or homemade sauce

2 small white potatoes cubed

1 small sweet potato cubed

2 ribs celery chopped

10 baby carrots chopped

1 cup frozen peas

1/4 onion chopped

1.5 tbsp olive oil

2 cups water

black pepper, herbamare,garlic powder

In a large pot, add some oil and turn on med. heat. take theveal cubes and toss in flour to coat with flour, add to pot and sear until just browned. I add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for 1.5 hours, you can add less or more water.

I usually add worcestershire sauce and soy sauce to make it darker in color. This is nice with brown rice or just pita bread!

Baked chicken

Don't these look delish..I lurve chicken tenders like this....
Marinate the chicken if you have the time (olive oil, oregano, garlic powder,herbamare, parsley,lemon juice any other herb you like)
First you can sear in fry pan until golden brown only with Pam spray and then bake in oven for about 20 minutes!

Rice noodles...

Soemtimes you want to eat something different with a hint of Oriental, this is an easy dish to prepare in 10 minutes!

Rice noodles or cellophane noodles need to be soaked in hot water not boiled like regular pasta. I bring a pot of water to boil, remove from stove and let soak the noodles for about 10 minutes until tender-that's it!

I make a stirfry of veggies usually with garlic, ginger and soy sauce and add chicken or shrimp.

Also I keep the leftovers and add it to a salad with diced carrots and yellow peppers and onions so fresh and crisp!

Pumpkin Polenta w/ chickpeas and spinach

If this won't warm up your tummy on a rainy day I don't know what will! Okay well for me it's just one of those comfort foods that makes staying in all day worth it! I use regular corn meal and add water and cook on low and keep stirring. I add some butter, spinach, pure pumpkin, garlic and herbamare. I add a can of chickpeas and there you have a complete meal.

Serve with some melted brie cheese over toasted crispy baguette slices...

Pumpkin Gnocchi

These have to be the easiest and most fun gnocchi to make especially when I have the cutest helper!

I use

2cups 100% pure pumpkin canned

2 cups flour

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

dash of salt

nutmeg (optional)

On a work board or surface mound flour,make well and add pumpkin, salt and cheese and gradually incorporate. Knead and add flour as needed for about 5 minutes. Cut pieces and roll into a rope and chop into little pillows.

Bison Chili...done clean!

This is a chili with organic grass fed ground bison which has so much less saturated fat, it is leaner than turkey! It has a real deep gamey taste to it. I used navy beans instead of kidney beans.

Ingredients:

1 pound of organic ground bison (healthstore)

1 can low sodium crushed tomatoes or jar tomato sauce

1/4 cup diced onion

Chile seasoning

1 can navy or kidney beans

Simply cook ground meat in pan with onions, drain excess fat, add tomato sauce,chile seasonings and cook for 30 minutes, add the beans and let simmer another 10 minutes. So quick and no mess to clean up!

Sexy salad!

I swear this is the only way I can really eat healthy without over eating with too many calories. I always bring a lunch to work and this is one of my favorites... doesn't it look mouth watering...had to post a pic!

Always have green veggies everyday , twice a day in fact is ideal. I love green lettuce or spinach, cuks, red peppers and green onions-add whatever you have that is fresh and crisp! I always add a source of protein ie grilled chicken or tuna, tofu or hummus. I top it off with nuts or seeds(pumpkin or sesame and any nut you like)

The dressing is olive or walnut oil, balsamic or apple cider vinegar and some herbamare and garlic powder. Herbs give a nice flavor and makes a difference so add whatever ie oregano,parsley, cilantro, mint, basil etc.

Chicken Divine!

Actually this is my version of the classic dish Chicken Divan that my sister in law Cristina makes so deliciously! She knows how to make it best!
I use less ingredients and skip a few steps:
Ingredients:
Chicken breasts cut into cubes
1 head broccoli into florets and pieces
mushrooms sliced
1 can Campbell's condensed Cream of Chicken
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp curry powder
2 tbsp lemon juice
shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 c bread crumbs
In a frying pan I stir fry sprayed with Pam, cook the chicken and mushrooms half way through only. In another pot steam broccoli or just blanch broccoli for 1 minute. Place the chicken and the broccoli in a shallow baking dish (Corningware) .
In a seperate bowl, pour soup add curry, mayonnaise and lemon juice and mix well. Pour over chicken broccoli and sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumbs. Cook in oven about 30min or until bubbly. Remove from oven and let sit 10 minutes.

snack or dessert!

A little snack goes a long way! This is my favorite yogurt all natural goodness and only 6grams of sugar per 175g!

I mix it in with frozen blueberries and top it off with crunchy granola-this one has coconut and seeds-a real treat!

garden veggie frittata

This is a hearty lunch we all enjoy on the week-ends! I use organic free range eggs and extra egg whites for volume. I add colorful veggies; yellow and red peppers, zucchini, green onions, basil nd peppers and trimmed bacon for smokey flavors. Add any seasonings you like, I love garlic, herbamare and some parmesan cheese-a real treat! I finish it baking in the oven for 5 minutes on broil-makes a nice crust!

My daughter Lauren loves this for lunch at school too!

Pasta...shhh there Tofu Noodles!

I am the happiest person right now. I have found this pasta which I love eating because it comes s o close to eating pasta with half the carbs, double the protein and right amount of fat-a complete meal! These Mung Bean(soy bean) noodles are really tasty even my kids like them and you can't beat that!

This time I added steamed broccoli, galic powder, walnut oil, hebamare and a little parmesan cheese! My kids enjoyed the carbonara type with bacon and egg-what a treat!

buttered Butternut squash!

Fall is the time of year where I look forward to squash and pumpkin recipes. This one is quite simple but I add nutmeg and it has so much flavor.

Just roast the squash in the oven until soft. Scoop out the inside flesh and add some butter, and nutmeg and any seasonings you enjoy-I just use herbamare!

Spagetti Squash Bolognese

Yes it's Squash....so yummy with a yummy ground turkey or veal tomato sauce!

I cut the spagetti squash in half, remove the seeds and cook in oven until tender (45min) or the easiest way is to microwave the halves wrapped in paper towel each for 6 minutes or so. Once cool enough to handle take a fork and scrap the insides from top to bottom and you will get strands of squash.

In a low pan add your sauce and squash and heat up! Add any spice you like , I like hot peppers and garlic!

Walnut oil for salads

Garden tomatoes are the best in September, they are so sweet and I eat them everyday.

This is steamed broccoli, chopped tomatoes, fresh parsley, basil, garlic powder,herbamare and sliced almonds. I also use apple cider vinegar and walnut oil for a dressing-the flavor is amazing!

Breakfast for Kings!

This looks complicated but only is a veggie egg white scramble topped with goat cheese on whole sprouted bread!
In a small fry pan, sprayed with PAM add chopped zucchini and tomato, add some herbamare,basil, oregano or any fresh herb add egg whites and stir until dry. Add goat cheese and parsley and you have the most grande and elegant breakfast!

Going Bananas!!

Seriously the best "dessert" you can make and all natural goodness with ONLY frozen bananas!

My little one like peanut butter with it, Tony likes walnuts mixed in. Sooo easy...make sure you peel ripe bananas and plastic wrap when freezing! Thaw 10 minutes and pulse on low-med speed until you get the smoothness-you have to try it! YUMMO!!