Healthy Recipe Goodness

it all starts in the kitchen w/ a cute apron

So in my new "hobby" of learning more about nutrition, organic foods, and how it all effects your body...as well as what foods digest properly for different folks (yes, I am needing out a bit...fascinating)...I have found recipes and then played with them to make them my own. :)

Let's start with the kale salad. I was first sucked into kale salad's when I had the one at Tavern (restaurant here in Nashville - midtown district)....so yummy. The basic ingredients in that one is:

Kale
Pine nuts
EVOO
Lemon juice
Currents
Parmesan cheese (a lot)


As much as I like this salad there...I needed to find an alternative for having it often. My body is not the biggest fan of dairy...so I played around to find something even yummier and healthier. So here is how I make kale salad - no need to soak the kale in EVOO...up the lemon juice a bit more instead:

Kale (food processor chop style)
Pine nuts
Cranberries
EVOO
Lemon juice
Crumbled goat cheese
Basil


Here is the recipe I use for sweet potato fries...I use EVOO instead Canola oil. These are so yummy! I may up the spicy kick a bit to mine ;)

Annnnddddd, here is the recipe I use for the Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili. With this recipe, I play with the spices A LOT! I add in a lot more chili powder, garlic powder, more oregano than it calls for...and the key added ingredient is: DILL SEED!!! It is what changes the ball game!

Lastly (for now), I love me some chia seeds...yum yum yum! Here is the recipe for chia seed pudding - kinda a tapioca consistency but much healthier for you!

1 cup - coconut/almond milk ( you can use just coconut or just almond - whateves)
1/4 cup of chia seeds
Agave - I just do a nice little squirt. (w/ coconut milk you don't really need the added sweetness)
Fruit - I use raspberries mainly - blueberries don't settle so well.


Yummy and healthy dessert!! Nomnomnom :)

Ohhhhh yesssss!! And if you are one that has a hard time getting all your fruits and veggies in daily. I've been doing Greens First in the morning and it is amazing. Boost of energy and getting in my essentials. And get this...it actually tastes great!! Got a couple co-workers and friends already on it. #highfives

Having all my grandparents dying from cancer and so many other friends and family battling some crazy health issues...I decided to do research and get more educated...treating my body right healthy, mind, and soul = working out, eating right, daily time w/ Jesus, and living life adventurously expectant...filled with loving on people and enjoying the simple things ;)

Boom...there's my thoughts this Friday am and some recipes for you health nuts to try!!

Droppin' A Note...

So most of you know, I am AWFUL at sending cards, gifts, anything I have to mail out...it just doesnt happen. If I'm sending something as a bday gift or just a gift it will most likely come from groupon, livingsocial, or whatever localized gifting network of screamin' deals is in your area.

Over the past few years I have tried the whole New Years Resolution thing..."This year I will write a card a week!". Let's be honest, in reality I was already defeated. I should've started with once a month or bi-monthly...that would be more realistic for my busy life. So time and time again I would say I'd be better...then crash and burn. Never making it happen.

Of course I would feel like a schmuck each time I would receive a card from a friend. Realizing they took time out of their lives to write me a note to say hi, share something, encourage and love on me, or whatnot. It's amazing how receiving a note in the mail just makes your day and gives you a break from the normal mail: bills, magazines, grocery junk ads, and other randomness that glogs up my little tin box.

So, I decided that the month of October I am REALLY going to do it! I am going to make a list. First, make a number of how many days there are in October and then start filling in friend's names that I wanted to write to. I also wanted it to be an intentional time to pray over each friend as I was writing them. Praying that God would use me to brighten their day, that He would give me the words to say (if needed), that it would arrive on a day that they needed a pick me up or just a BIG hug from me :)...wanting them to feel loved and know that someone is thinking and praying for them.

I can say that I successfully did it!! YES, I WIN here folks!!! :). I may not have done it every day, but I finished all my letters for the month and then some on October 31st. Dare I say, I will continue to do two a week for the rest of the year and then set a new goal!

More and more in life you realize how the "simple things" are what really matter...the thoughtfulness and how it impacts. I wanna live that way...to love, encourage, be a person where actions and words align, be a safe place for people to lean on, and of course live life adventurously expectant (yea, it's my personal tagline).

Don't worry...if you haven't received a card yet...I've only started scratching the service of my list ;)

The purpose of sharing this is not to pin a rose on my nose, but more to challenge you to show the ones you love that you care...just as I have been inspired/challenged by many of my friends who've done that for me!

Mad love & hugs
Annie