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!