tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454404617489887662024-03-08T11:32:17.602-05:00Sarah’s Scrumptious SamplingsSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-56363064413851255472010-05-28T14:25:00.002-04:002010-05-28T14:25:52.473-04:00New Blog AddressI've moved my blog to Wordpress. Here's the new link: <a href="http://sarahsscrumptioussamplings.wordpress.com/">http://sarahsscrumptioussamplings.wordpress.com/</a><br />
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Please update your subscriptions and readers :)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-31757676916222765202010-05-28T08:12:00.001-04:002010-05-28T08:13:22.513-04:00Lazy Gal's Mexican Fiesta<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I love Tex Mex food (almost as much as I love a good margarita) and actually I've found that homemade Mexican inspired cuisine can be both healthy and vegan :) As much as I enjoy cooking, when I finally get home around 7:30-8pm after work, long commute, and working out-I'm often exhausted and just want to eat without much fuss or energy. Therefore I'm always on the prowl for yummy healthy and fast recipes/meal inspirations. And I present to you <b>Lazy Gal's Mexican Black Bean Soup</b> based on this <a href="http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/salsa-soup/">recipe</a> from the <a href="http://happyherbivore.com/">Happy Herbivore</a>.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-lkbsJtbI/AAAAAAAAAKU/S1sXpyiaV4s/s1600/DSCN0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-lkbsJtbI/AAAAAAAAAKU/S1sXpyiaV4s/s320/DSCN0860.JPG" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">15.5 oz can black beans</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">16 oz jar salsa</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">4 oz can of green chilies</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">1 tsp garlic powder</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">1/4 tsp cumin</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">1/4 tsp onion powder</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">1/2 cup water</span></span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Directions</span></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Place all ingredients into medium sauce pan</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Blend using immersion blender</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Heat then eat!</span></span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-w3-LY7RI/AAAAAAAAAKc/VMBygx5ZEdw/s1600/DSCN0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-w3-LY7RI/AAAAAAAAAKc/VMBygx5ZEdw/s320/DSCN0862.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This yummy soup is quick, easy, and healthy. If you don't have an immersion blender, heat the ingredients on the stove then transfer sections to your blender or you can leave it chunky. Makes about four servings (depending how much you want to eat at once).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I ate this paired with one of my Mexican fiesta salads:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b><br />
<b><div style="display: inline !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline !important; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-xt6chyqI/AAAAAAAAAKk/VwPaZ-4OTT8/s1600/DSCN0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S_-xt6chyqI/AAAAAAAAAKk/VwPaZ-4OTT8/s320/DSCN0853.JPG" /></a></div></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Spinach, yellow summer squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, silken tofu blended with salsa (fabulous dressing)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">This meal is both satisfyingly delicious and very healthy (key after a good workout) with ample amounts of protein (tofu and black beans) plus a gazillion veggies. Blending silken tofu with salsa (and other liquids-I've done balsamic vinegar and Bragg's liquid aminos) creates a great salad dressing filled with protein!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Do you have any quick recipes for those busy night when you don't feel like cooking??</span></div></div></div></b></span></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-10280783051871486792010-05-15T17:25:00.000-04:002010-05-15T17:25:20.155-04:00Feeding the Non Vegans in My LifeNow I might be a horrible vegan BUT my brothers and father are not about to eat my tofu hot dogs. So when I cook for my family, I often cook meat and other animal products. But I do my best to make healthy meals that my brothers and father will enjoy. For my meat eating readers here is one of my favorite recipes to make for the boys: Pizza Biscuit Casserole<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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<ul><li>Fat free or low fat refrigerated biscuits</li>
<li>1 (or 2) jars favorite pizza sauce</li>
<li>Fat free or low fat mozzarella cheese</li>
<li>Ground beef (turkey, soy crumbles, etc)</li>
</ul><div>Directions:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Open biscuit dough and cut into quarters and place in a 9x13 dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover entire bottom of dish.</div><div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8ODwt7o8I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/vKcp9WyEdzA/s1600/DSCN0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8ODwt7o8I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/vKcp9WyEdzA/s320/DSCN0773.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Pour jars of pizza sauce over cut up biscuits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8OaLzhgBI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZpTDfWHbAcs/s1600/DSCN0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8OaLzhgBI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ZpTDfWHbAcs/s320/DSCN0774.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Add ground beef (browned)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8OkrzuDjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xI0tpajExgo/s1600/DSCN0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8OkrzuDjI/AAAAAAAAAKE/xI0tpajExgo/s320/DSCN0775.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Top with mozzarella then bake at 375 F for 30 minutes or until the sauce bubbles/the cheese has melted.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8PC8eE69I/AAAAAAAAAKM/Rf2-iA83V8M/s1600/DSCN0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-8PC8eE69I/AAAAAAAAAKM/Rf2-iA83V8M/s320/DSCN0777.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Voila! Very simple and quick casserole that's a crowd pleaser. My family loves pizza but this casserole puts a new twist on the pizza pie. I round out the meal with some green beans sautéed with garlic plus I make my brothers pick a piece of fruit too (typically banana or strawberries). This can be incredibly "healthified" by using ground turkey or soy crumbles and fat free mozzarella plus if you're a vegetarian you can use soy crumbles and you've got a yummy vegetarian main dish. On nights when I cook for my Dad and brothers I will just whip up something else for me to eat that's vegan friendly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you ever make multiple meals to please every member of your family? And if you are a vegan/vegetarian do you ever prepare meat or animal products for the non veggies in your life?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-61958670470931002772010-05-06T20:32:00.000-04:002010-05-06T20:32:35.419-04:00New EatsI've been in a massive food rut for the past couple of weeks. It's been salad after salad after salad. And while I absolutely love and adore massive amounts of veggies, I'm getting bored of the same meal. So one of my coworkers told me about <a href="http://bragg.com/products/bragg-liquid-aminos-soy-alternative.html">Bragg Liquid Aminos</a> which he told me has a similar taste to soy sauce/tamari. I decided to research the importance of amino acids in a healthy diet. According to the <a href="http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/aa.html">Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the University of Arizona</a>, amino acids are the building blocks of protein and proteins regulate almost all cellular activity (aka we could not live without protein). Humans can only produce 10 of the 20 essential amino acids necessary for human life. Therefore, humans must consume the other 10 essential amino acids EVERY SINGLE DAY from food because humans do not store amino acids. Plants have all the necessary enzymes to produce all essential amino acids therefore the soybean based Bragg liquid is an excellent source of non animal meat amino acids. With this knowledge, I marched off to Whole Foods and purchased a spray bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos to create a fabulous stir fry with these other ingredients:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-NZzTT8HEI/AAAAAAAAAJc/4z1msECzdmI/s1600/DSCN0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-NZzTT8HEI/AAAAAAAAAJc/4z1msECzdmI/s320/DSCN0849.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.house-foods.com/Tofu/tofu_shirataki.aspx">Tofu Shirataki Noodles</a>, frozen stir fry vegetables, baby spinach, 1 serving lite firm tofu, and <a href="http://bragg.com/products/bragg-liquid-aminos-soy-alternative.html">Bragg Liquid Aminos</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which became this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-NaVJA8v3I/AAAAAAAAAJk/zloPCcSevw8/s1600/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-NaVJA8v3I/AAAAAAAAAJk/zloPCcSevw8/s320/DSCN0852.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love me some aminos :) I spritzed some Bragg Liquid Aminos on my veggies, tofu, and noodles. I did not miss sodium packed soy sauce plus I definitely consumed the 10 amino acids that I can't produce plus the extra 6 aminos that I can produce. I hope my proteins are happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I can eat a bowl of oats and banana every single day especially with some chia seeds and <a href="http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/index.php/peanutbutter/peanut-butter/darkchocolatedreams.html">dark chocolate dreams</a> (it's like dessert for breakfast). But I've been getting hungry less than an hour later. I drink plenty of water (and coffee...trust me, don't come between me and my coffee) so I don't think hydration has been the problem. So I decided to experiment with protein powder so I searched my blogs and discovered on <a href="http://www.jarrow.com/product.php?prodid=264">Jarrow Brown Rice Protein Powder</a> from the <a href="http://fitnessista.com/">Fitnessita</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-Ncduu1G2I/AAAAAAAAAJs/spAmRdlentc/s1600/DSCN0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S-Ncduu1G2I/AAAAAAAAAJs/spAmRdlentc/s320/DSCN0851.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I added 2.5 T (55 calories, 12 grams protein) plus 1 tsp chia seeds to my oatmeal mixture along with a huge banana for some fructose sweetness and potassium. I'll keep y'all posted how the protein powder effects my morning hunger.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you ever fall into a food rut and how do you climb out? Any suggestions for filling additions to my oatmeal?</div><br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-8907052887091377892010-05-01T17:05:00.038-04:002010-05-02T08:18:02.752-04:00New Favorite RestaurantI'd like to thank you all for your wonderful comments, emails, texts, etc. I shared my story and my struggle to open a window into some of the "hidden" truths in food blogging. Personally, when I read certain blogs, I allow myself to feel like a failure for not eating kale (24/7) or train for marathons or owning a Vitamix. I love the fresh taste of a spinach smoothie but I NEVER feel full after drinking one. I mainly wanted to share my story to "clear the air" and help anyone struggling with food/body image (etc) realize that he/she is not alone. I struggle almost everyday to love my body. So please if you are struggling, remember that a number is just a number and beauty flows through all of us whether we use Stevia or Splenda in our coffee. Again thanks :) And if you have more questions for me, please email me or comment on one of my posts.<br />
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If I could write songs, I'd write my own Ode to Joy to the wonderful <a href="http://openkitchen-dcmetro.com/home/">Open Kitchen Bistro</a> in Falls Church. What makes Open Kitchen so amazing:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Wonderful/friendly service who doesn't look utterly confused when you state that you are a vegan and really don't want another salad</li>
<li>A menu with items that are vegan and/or easily veganized</li>
<li>Gorgeous decor and patio-perfect for the crisp Spring night</li>
<li>Pot of tea for $3.50</li>
<li>Vegan (and non vegan) <a href="http://openkitchen-dcmetro.com/cookingclasses/">cooking classes</a></li>
</ol><div>On a beautiful Spring night here in the lovely DC metro area, my friends and I decided we needed a good meal ASAP preferably in VA so we could all drive with outdoor seating and a restaurant where vegan food would not be a salad without the cheese and meat. And Open Kitchen Bistro seemed the perfect restaurant. I started with a chamomile citrus tea that arrived in this:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xAWQbf0RI/AAAAAAAAAI0/HSqxbibl0m8/s1600/DSCN0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xAWQbf0RI/AAAAAAAAAI0/HSqxbibl0m8/s320/DSCN0836.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(my own teapot...adorable)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And for my meal I had this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xLm2-3XSI/AAAAAAAAAI8/OIxnaoXzN60/s1600/DSCN0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xLm2-3XSI/AAAAAAAAAI8/OIxnaoXzN60/s320/DSCN0838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vegan Zucchini and Basil Soup</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xL_eohbNI/AAAAAAAAAJE/YOjrdYvNmQI/s1600/DSCN0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xL_eohbNI/AAAAAAAAAJE/YOjrdYvNmQI/s320/DSCN0841.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quinoa Vegetable Medley</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I absolutely loved the soup! The accent of basil with the pureed zucchini left me wanting another bowl or two. I gobbled the soup up in 3 seconds and then started analyzing the quinoa vegetable medley which upon first sight disappointed me. I thought that a vegetable medley would include more vegetables than a couple pieces of carrots and onions (which I love but do not agree with my poor tummy). Then when I took my first bite, my suspicions were confirmed. The quinoa and veggies had no flavor. I'm a spice girl (lol...I'd be Garlic Spice) and the quinoa just tasted boring and bland to my overly seasoned tastebuds. So instead of eating dull quinoa I decided to snap pictures of my friends' meals (which I didn't sample as nothing about them were in the neighborhood of vegan).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xNbXcMC5I/AAAAAAAAAJM/eKwRZaQLyeY/s1600/DSCN0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xNbXcMC5I/AAAAAAAAAJM/eKwRZaQLyeY/s320/DSCN0839.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Herb crusted Tuna Burger with side salad and homemade chips</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xNtXkIUfI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CP3u8BGnTYk/s1600/DSCN0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9xNtXkIUfI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CP3u8BGnTYk/s320/DSCN0840.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steamed Mussels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Both dishes smelled wonderful and both of my friends were in love with their dishes. Since I didn't enjoy the quinoa, I didn't eat it (why waste my calories) so my friend V. took them home for her lunch the next day. However I'm planning on returning soon to sample some of the other vegan options including a cauliflower steak...yummm :) And Open Kitchen also offers vegan cooking classes. I'm going to attend a Vegan Indian cooking class later this month. Though the quinoa disappointed me, I LOVED Open Kitchen because of the great service, numerous options, and decor (sorry no pics this time). I will definitely be back soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Has anyone ever had difficulty ordering food at restaurants? I hate when my family wants to go to steakhouses for dinner. I've even hidden a PB&J sandwich in my purse to supplement the iceberg lettuce I always get served.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-26714281927714160052010-04-28T16:38:00.000-04:002010-04-28T16:38:26.440-04:00Extremely Healthy VS. Unhealthy Obsession<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">*Warning: this blog post will address some very personal issues regarding weight, weight loss, etc. So if you are sensitive to this subject please skip this post*</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">As a food blogger and avid reader of numerous health/food blogs, I've decided that I need to be completely honest in regards to my body image, my health, and my mental attitude in regards to food/exercise. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've lost over 100lbs over the past four years yet I didn't mention my obsession with food and exercise. It's nearly impossible for me to remember a time in my life that I didn't struggle with body image. I struggled with being overweight for most of middle and high school even though I swam regularly and ate fairly healthy for a teenager. I could never be that teenage girl who could eat french fries and still be thin. The idea that I couldn't eat like my friends completely boggled my mind until I joined Weight Watchers after my freshman year in college when I discovered that all metabolisms are not created equal.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Though I weighed my heaviest in high school, I faced the most emotional trauma in middle school. I had a girl cut my hair and write nasty things in school notebooks because she thought I was fat even though I fell within the healthy range for my height and age. By the time I reached high school I still struggled with weight by constantly being on a diet in public while eating ice cream and candy in my bedroom increasing my emotional dependence on food. By my senior year, I weighed close to 200lbs (190lbs according to my physical at the beginning of my senior year) yet I would eat salad for lunch then come home and eat an entire bag of Starbursts. I overcompensated my unhappiness by allowing "friends" to walk all over me because I felt unworthy of friendship or love because of my weight.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I graduated from high school and started attending Virginia Tech where I began heavy drinking on the weekends and daily ice cream trips to one of the dining halls. Unlike numerous colleges, Virginia Tech is known for having fantastic food. So after one semester (and my senior year of high school) I had gained another twenty five pounds. I would go through phases of unhealthy eating then crying to my best friend about how I hated my body and being fat. Finally she told me she didn't want to hear me complain anymore until I did something about being overweight. That day I went to the gym in my dorm and told myself I would do at least 30 minutes of cardio. I spent the entire semester working out and loosing almost 10lbs just by exercising. That summer my mother and I joined Weight Watchers and I began my journey to learning how to eat to live not live to eat.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Fast forward to present day, I'm a vegan (with occasional soda indulgences) who exercises 5-6 days a week. You'd think I'm much healthily than the girl who joined Weight Watchers almost five years ago but unfortunately I'm not. At 5'4, I weigh (fully clothed and having eaten several meals) only 110lbs, 89.4lbs of muscle and my body fat is only 14.9% (the minimum healthy body fat percentage for women under 40 is 20%). Because my body fat and weight are so low, my metabolic age is 12 (and I'm 23) which has caused some other complications since I'm physically 12. My bone mass is 4.8lbs which is barely considered healthy 110lbs and under (healthy is 4.3lbs though if you weigh over 110bs you should have 5.3lbs of bone mass). In fact the only healthy number is my percent body water which is 62.6% which means I currently receive all my minerals, nutrients, etc. As a matter of fact, my iron level is incredibly high for a twenty something female due the massive amounts of spinach I consume on a daily basis. My biggest problem is I eat the right foods I just don't eat enough of them.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I've transitioned from eating food for comfort to being terrified of what food will do to my body. When you've lost any amount of weight, the idea that you have to gain weight and actually eat fat is terrifying. After dieting for five years I can't shut up the inner voice in my head that's mentally counting calories and freaking out over highly fattening foods even ones that are good for you like avocados, nuts, etc. I can't handle hunger when I get hungry because I have no fat reserves. I've allowed myself to become so hungry that it hurt to thiuk. It makes me feel like a hypocrite to blog about healthy eating when I know I'm not healthy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Slowly I'm working on my food issues and trying to listen to my body cues. I've had cycles of binge eating where I'd blindly eat half a jar of peanut butter in a matter of minutes not realizing that I ate that PB because my body NEEDED that fat. But with the help, love, and support from my family and close friends, I'm working on being okay with eating and loving my body. I have to eat when I'm hungry, eating is not a reward for intensive exercise. It's okay that I'm hungry and it's okay to eat when I am hungry especially if I'm eating healthy and nutritious whole foods (and I don't have to eat a salad for every meal). My body loves me and now I need to learn to love my all of body. I'm going to take it one day at a time realizing that some days will be better than others but I've wake up every morning appreciating my body and what it does for me.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you struggle with body image or weight loss or another type of "eating disorder" please contact a health care professional or a close family/friend for help. I've shared my story because I hope I can help someone who has struggled like me. You are NOT alone. The <a href="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/">National Eating Disorders Association</a> website has numerous resources for individuals struggling with ED or friends/family members who believe that a loved one is struggling with an ED. Or if you would just like to talk to someone feel free to email me at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><b>sarah.scrumptious.samplings@gmail.com.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are some pictures that document my "weight" story over the past couple of years:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9iXGBEGYeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/X62kzp5iQA0/s1600/100_1333_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9iXGBEGYeI/AAAAAAAAAIs/X62kzp5iQA0/s400/100_1333_edited.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My senior year of high school (Spring 2004-195lbs)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hFqIuy8lI/AAAAAAAAAIc/AvhegQGWvlk/s1600/n6207470_34119280_4937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hFqIuy8lI/AAAAAAAAAIc/AvhegQGWvlk/s320/n6207470_34119280_4937.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My junior year of college (Spring 2007-160lbs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hH4avPBVI/AAAAAAAAAIg/_SRYtdPkUEM/s1600/n6218673_37376557_6704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hH4avPBVI/AAAAAAAAAIg/_SRYtdPkUEM/s320/n6218673_37376557_6704.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My senior year of college (Spring 2008-140lbs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hK0K_UuZI/AAAAAAAAAIk/icgxZVHtPaA/s1600/4313_546606035173_21201652_32012961_5084015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hK0K_UuZI/AAAAAAAAAIk/icgxZVHtPaA/s320/4313_546606035173_21201652_32012961_5084015_n.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spring 2009 (120lbs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hL6mLIZDI/AAAAAAAAAIo/ZIf92mnqjKc/s1600/27250_854260188633_6233964_46615311_8109768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9hL6mLIZDI/AAAAAAAAAIo/ZIf92mnqjKc/s320/27250_854260188633_6233964_46615311_8109768_n.jpg" width="69" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spring 2010 (110lbs)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now I'm trying not to focus on a specific number but my body. When I'm no longer metabolically 12 and my body returns to one of a woman, I know I'll be at a healthy weight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, I've shared my story because like many other girls, women, and even men, I struggle everyday with loving myself and loving my body. I want you to know that you are NOT alone in your struggles. And you ARE beautiful regardless of numbers or pant sizes. Food is not your enemy, it's necessary for life. If you're struggling with body image or food or exercise, please contact someone (even me) if you want to talk about it. As corny as it sounds, the first step is always admitting/realizing you might have a problem and then talking about it with someone close to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And since I've been so mean to the poor girl in the pictures I've shown you in this post, I've apologized because I'm still that girl with a little less body fat but with the same beauty, intelligence, and integrity that I've always had.</div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-25324977355134162552010-04-22T22:41:00.000-04:002010-04-22T22:41:34.995-04:00Happy Almost Friday :)It's almost Friday...THANK GOODNESS!! Any exciting plans for the weekend?<div><br />
</div><div>Thank you all for the positive feedback from my last post. I think that like every single woman (and some men) I struggle with maintaining a positive self body image. It's difficult when the girl on the treadmill is sprinting twenty thousand times faster than you or your friend maintains her "perfect" figure while still eating chocolate or you're in the fitting room trying to find a pair of pants that actually fit you. In those situations, I have to mentally check out for a few moments and focus on my body and realize all the wonderful things my body does for me. I might not run as fast as the girl on the treadmill next to me but my body carries farther and faster than I ever thought possible. I might just have to take Stacy and Clinton's advice and start getting my pants tailored or wear dresses every day :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/photos/2007/10/12/l65620-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/photos/2007/10/12/l65620-1.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>I don't maintain my "girlish figure" with pounds of chocolate but my body adores all the fruits and vegetables and oatmeal that I eat every day.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://copiaverborum.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/oatmeal.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://copiaverborum.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/oatmeal.gif" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOL...I couldn't resist :)</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Speaking of wonderful food, since my new conversion to veganism (two weeks on Sunday), I've been becoming more adventurous in the kitchen. After searching my favorite blogs I discovered an interesting recipe from one of my favorite vegan blogs: <a href="http://happyherbivore.com/">Happy Herbivore</a>. Here's an ingredient teaser...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9EBoiDoVHI/AAAAAAAAAII/-oI3e04pxZ0/s1600/DSCN0824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9EBoiDoVHI/AAAAAAAAAII/-oI3e04pxZ0/s320/DSCN0824.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any good guesses???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made Lindsay's <a href="http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/mock-tuna-salad/">Mock Tuna Salad</a>. But since I'm only so ambitious I altered her recipe to my tastes and lack of desire to make yet another trip to the grocery store (as in some days I've gone to Whole Foods twice due my lack of proper planning).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>15 oz can garbanzo beans</li>
<li>1 large carrot</li>
<li>2 tsp nutritional yeast</li>
<li>1 T yellow mustard</li>
<li>1 T soy sauce</li>
<li>1 tsp onion powder</li>
</ul><div>Directions:</div><div><ol><li>Drain and rinse garbanzo beans. Place in food processor and pulse until no whole beans remain.</li>
<li>Remove skin from carrot and shred using a cheese grater (perfect for grating veggies)</li>
<li>Mix carrot and garbanzo beans. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.</li>
<li>Refrigerate for a couple hours to let flavors intensify (or eat right away like I did). Makes about 4 1/2 cup servings. </li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;">Here how I ate one (or two...) of my servings:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9EFgveWCXI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/zs75XIYYA_k/s1600/DSCN0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S9EFgveWCXI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/zs75XIYYA_k/s320/DSCN0826.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Tuna salad" on a whole grain La Tortilla shell with a massive pear and massive salad...yuuuuum.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you ever alter recipes? I try to make recipes with ingredients that I have and sometimes the results are quite comical but I still eat them mainly because I hate wasting food. Also have you ever tried the "mock" meats, etc?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-85956863797772610752010-04-19T22:14:00.003-04:002010-04-19T22:16:04.545-04:00Love Your BodyAs a female and former self proclaimed fat girl, I've struggled most of my life with loving my body. Starting as early as middle school I remember being frustrated with my body and my looks. It never helped that as a competitive swimmer I got to see myself in a bathing suit every single day. Towards the end of high school, I slowed my swimming schedule (after ten years I'd finally burned out) and the pounds slowly crept on. I hit my heaviest weight my freshman year of college when I weighed close to 220lbs and when I started Weight Watchers that summer, I weighed 207lbs. Over the next several years I discovered food blogs,exercise, healthy/natural foods which seemed to only increase my obsession to find the perfect body.<br />
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BUT what defines the perfect body? The more weight I lost the happier I became yet I still wanted to lose more. I'd spent so many years dieting how could I stop. I went from weighing a size 16 unable to find cute clothing to being smaller than a size 0 again struggling to find clothing that fit. I've had days where I've justified how much I ate based on how hard I worked out. I've started to tear up in frustration during a group exercise class because I messed up the steps and I wouldn't burn as many calories. With the support of my family and close friends, I've slowly started to change my mentality. I've started to love myself again. I've even asked my former "fat" self for forgiveness for all the harsh words and hatred I forced upon her. And today I discovered this poster via <a href="http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/posters/contest-2010/cat3.html">The Now Foundation</a>:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80JnrT9M-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/eFgIsNZPDPo/s1600/loveyourbody-041910-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80JnrT9M-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/eFgIsNZPDPo/s400/loveyourbody-041910-main.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Shannon Wu</strong><br />
Orange Village, OH</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I almost started to cry when I saw this poster and looked through the other contest winners. I immediately started sending the ecard version to all my friends and family. And now I'm sharing the message with you.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">LOVE YOURSELF and LOVE YOUR BODY!</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">We are all uniquely beautiful and specia</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">l.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">There is <b><i>NO</i></b> perfect body: Hollywood be damned. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">I've shared my story with you in hopes of helping you realize that if you struggle with self image or body hatred, you are not alone. I know that I often look upon other food bloggers with slight twinges of jealously or envy. I will feel guilty for not lifting enough or running far enough or drinking coffee with splenda instead of green tea. But no one is perfect: I'm NOT perfect. And the only person who knows what's best for me is me. And same goes for you! So love your body and your body will love you back. Sure you will have your good days and bad days BUT always remember that your body is with you through the good and bad. And if you wouldn't say it to your best friend then don't say it to yourself. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Here are some of the other posters (from this year and past years): </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80MO6U9EjI/AAAAAAAAAHw/62VDIZ7dH7I/s1600/neuser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80MO6U9EjI/AAAAAAAAAHw/62VDIZ7dH7I/s400/neuser.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Sarah Neuser</strong><br />
Eagan, MN</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80MbTS8UzI/AAAAAAAAAH4/kj9_CFmOrec/s1600/bushbaum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80MbTS8UzI/AAAAAAAAAH4/kj9_CFmOrec/s400/bushbaum.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Marie Bushbaum</strong><br />
Minneapolis, Minnesota</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80NCP4qi0I/AAAAAAAAAIA/PuJ2I1OB9eI/s1600/roda.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S80NCP4qi0I/AAAAAAAAAIA/PuJ2I1OB9eI/s400/roda.gif" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong>Beryl Roda, Grand Prize Winner</strong><br />
Silver Spring, Md.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">Check out the <a href="http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/">website</a> to send ecards or participate in the Love Your Body Foundation.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">You Are Beautiful!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-70182401404980499522010-04-14T22:44:00.000-04:002010-04-14T22:44:58.779-04:00Yummy Eats and Shopping TreatsHappy Hump Day! How's your week been so far? Besides a mini crisis on Monday my week has been wonderful even with the icky rain on Tuesday.<br />
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Today I got to relive my Denver experience by eating at <a href="http://www.jasonsdeli.com/">Jason's Deli</a>. I discovered this deli in Denver because of its location right next to my hotel. I ate there everyday for lunch because of the fantastic salad bar and its commitment to healthy and organic food. Needless to say when I discovered a location in Tyson's Corner I began planning a return trip immediately. The salad bar is packed with spinach, romaine, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, artichokes (yummmm), hummus, onion, cucumber, mushrooms, carrots, different seeds, nuts, dried fruit, etc. Basically it's salad bar heaven :) Here's my plate (with a fruit cup):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8Z4qZ_zTvI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/buMZADBuzec/s1600/DSCN0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8Z4qZ_zTvI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/buMZADBuzec/s320/DSCN0811.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got spinach, bell peppers, olives, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms, artichokes, and topped it off with some balsamic vinegar. I strongly dislike most balsamic vinaigrettes but I love the pure vinegar...am I weird?? After devouring my salad, I ran back for a second helping (lots of artichokes and olives). It's a bit pricey but for an unlimited salad bar with such yummy eats it's completely work the price. No icky iceberg lettuce in sight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally, I made my first purchase at <a href="http://www.lululemon.com/">Lululemon</a>. Typically I'm against spending lots of money on clothes I sweat in BUT my friends and family have been harassing me about being a Scrooge and whining about hating my workout gear. Plus I'm going on a bike trip this weekend in Gettysburg and it's supposed to be cold and rainy on Saturday so I don't want to freeze to death. After consulting with the Lululemon experts and a couple of deep breaths, I purchased this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8Z6JYRcUgI/AAAAAAAAAHg/0SlCb8i1Icg/s1600/DSCN0814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8Z6JYRcUgI/AAAAAAAAAHg/0SlCb8i1Icg/s320/DSCN0814.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the very cute <a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/Define_Jacket/pd/c/550/np/550/p/1754.html">Define</a> jacket costing me slightly over $100 which is A LOT of money for me to spend on workout wear. However, Lululemon's quality is impeccable and created to last at least 5 years. The jacket is cute and will definitely keep me much warmer than my yucky old Northface which I destroyed in college. I'm testing it out tomorrow morning on route to my 6am Body Step class!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you own anything from Lululemon or otherwise expensive workout wear? What's your policy on workout clothing?</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-51083984973358209572010-04-11T21:42:00.000-04:002010-04-11T21:42:03.345-04:00Broke, Single, and HungryHappy Sunday!! Congratulations to all the ladies who ran the Cherry Blossom race today :)<br />
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My healthy cooking on a budget talk went incredibly well. I kept it sweet and simple to not bore senior girls stuck inside on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon listening to me talk about depressing things college graduation and not eating takeout for every meal. I posted my presentation on Google <a href="https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B4kuuQ9oTcQNMTI5MTQ0OTUtZmM2Ni00ZDYyLWE4MmEtMTMxYmQxZTRjNWQ5&hl=en">documents</a> if you care to read it. I named my presentation Broke, Single, and Hungry because it's funny and kind of summarized my first year of post college graduate living.<br />
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As I mentioned in the previous post, I made a recipe to show the girls that cooking on the cheap can be cheap and healthy. For choosing a recipe I needed a portable food that included healthy and inexpensive ingredients that could be used in multiple recipes. I hate recipes that require me to buy "weird" products that are expensive and I'd only use once. Simplicity is key. I decided that breakfast is often one of the most skipped meals due to lack of time in the morning. After searching blogs, recipe websites, and cookbooks, I decided to make baked oatmeal bars based on this <a href="http://www.katheats.com/?page_id=4681">recipe</a> from Kath of <a href="http://www.katheats.com/">Kath Eats Real Food</a>.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Cherry Craisin Oatmeal Bars</span></b><br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul><li>3 cups instant oats</li>
<li>1 cup chopped almonds (measured after chopping)</li>
<li>1.5 cups Cherry flavored <a href="http://www.oceanspray.com/products/craisins_cherry_flavor_sweetened_dried_cranberries.aspx">Craisins</a></li>
<li>2 T unsweetened cocoa</li>
<li>2.5 cups milk (I used <a href="http://store.bluediamond.com/Almond-Breezereg-Vanilla--Unsweetened_p_38.html">unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze</a>)</li>
<li>2 eggs (I used <a href="http://www.ener-g.com/store/detail.aspx?section=8&cat=8&id=97">Ener-g Egg Replacer</a>)</li>
<li>2 tsp vanilla</li>
<li>1 tsp salt (optional)</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8ECJPqhG9I/AAAAAAAAAGo/0HwWd_8JBis/s1600/DSCN0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8ECJPqhG9I/AAAAAAAAAGo/0HwWd_8JBis/s400/DSCN0794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Directions:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1.<b> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Preheat oven to 350 F. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Mix dry ingredients (oats, salt, cocoa, Craisins)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8ECfcD1zQI/AAAAAAAAAGw/zl99wFBGmkU/s1600/DSCN0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8ECfcD1zQI/AAAAAAAAAGw/zl99wFBGmkU/s200/DSCN0795.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div>2. Mix wet ingredients (milk, eggs, vanilla)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EC8MgJRXI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ejEVvfvQV2c/s1600/DSCN0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EC8MgJRXI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ejEVvfvQV2c/s200/DSCN0796.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients then press into a 9x13 pan covered with parchment paper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EDVnv1E2I/AAAAAAAAAHA/FildWQU5low/s1600/DSCN0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EDVnv1E2I/AAAAAAAAAHA/FildWQU5low/s200/DSCN0797.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool for ten minutes then cut into desired number of servings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EDvIy9MbI/AAAAAAAAAHI/DVlNr6DVvw8/s1600/DSCN0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8EDvIy9MbI/AAAAAAAAAHI/DVlNr6DVvw8/s200/DSCN0799.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I made 24 servings since I had twenty girls who'd want a sample. For 24 servings 1 bar includes: 74 calories, 5.5g fat, 1.8g dietary fiber, and 1.6g protein. For a more adequate breakfast (or snack) bar, I'd suggest halving the serving making 12 bars not 24 bars and eat with a large piece of fruit, yogurt, etc. I chose these ingredients because all these ingredients can be used for other recipes. These bars can be wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in the freezer for a quick snack or breakfast. </div><br />
Taste verdict: DELICIOUS. Not all the seniors attended (silly girls missed out) so the girls who did attend ate several and took some home. I managed to snag one for my long drive from Baltimore to DC (ughhhhh Sunday traffic). I'm giving myself an A+ on my cheap and healthy food presentation so now I'm eating some popcorn and watching Hoarding on TLC (these people have some crazy shopping issues). Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)<br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-42717919015190752672010-04-10T18:42:00.002-04:002010-04-10T18:43:45.549-04:00Beautiful Saturday :)I finally made it back to Body Step this morning for the first time in a couple weeks (since I've been house sitting and super busy thus doing my own cardio workouts aka jogging, eliptical, etc). I absolutely LOVE body step even though I feel I should be wearing sparkly spandex and leg warmers. <a href="http://www.lesmills.com/midatlantic/en/members/bodystep/about-bodystep.aspx">Body Step</a> is a Les Mills workout class that incorporates cardio, target training, and dance with a step for a full body workout. For me, Body Step is an hour long party that gives me tons of endorphins and a fantastic booty :)<br />
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After Body Step, I went to <a href="http://www.toscanagrill.com/">Toscana Grill</a> to meet a bunch of other DC bloggers for lunch coordinated by the lovely <a href="http://www.fannetasticfood.com/">Anne P</a>. After boring my friends and families with my incessant food talk, I loved being with a bunch of other foodies who love food as much as me! Toscana Grill joined with <a href="http://www.cok.net/">Compassion Over Killing</a> (an animal rights group not PETA) to make April a vegan month so their menu for the entire weekend is completely vegan! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Check out this swag:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8D6rnDtJzI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mg6qnn8rcWM/s1600/DSCN0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8D6rnDtJzI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mg6qnn8rcWM/s320/DSCN0800.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tryveg.com is a sticker which I want to put in my car's back window :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The menu looked fantastic but since I had massive amounts of hunger after Body Step and had a piece of toast with peanut butter I decided to stick with the Minestrone Soup. However, I thought it left much to be desired. For a restaurant that tries to encourage a healthy organic lifestyle, the soup mainly included broth, maybe 8 red beans, a green bean or two, and WHITE pasta. I spent more money of a bowl of soup than the ingredients I could have bought to make a healthier and more tastier soup which is another reason I semi dislike eating out. I always think I can make something healthier and maybe tastier. However I loved meeting all the lovely bloggers and we had fantastic conversations about good food and exercise (my favorite topics). And provided me with lots of inspiration for a talk that I'm giving tomorrow to a bunch of college seniors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm an advisor for my sorority at a college in Maryland and tomorrow I'm giving a talk about cooking/eating healthy on a budget without dining halls and Mommy making us dinner every night. My first year after college I lived paycheck to paycheck but still managed to lose twenty pounds (not because I starved myself with lack of funds for food) while eating organic food, tons of fresh produce, and even shopping at Whole Foods. So I'm going to be sharing the tips/tricks that I learned with these college seniors who (like me) might struggle with that first difficult year after graduation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll (hopefully) be back tomorrow with a recap of my talk and the recipe I made as example of a quick, cheap, healthy breakfast for busy career girl who doesn't have time for making a pot of steel cut oats. Here's a teaser:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8D986qyC7I/AAAAAAAAAGg/BJ0-LHvpisQ/s1600/teaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S8D986qyC7I/AAAAAAAAAGg/BJ0-LHvpisQ/s200/teaser.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And no it's not oatmeal!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-32944148727003056252010-04-05T21:20:00.000-04:002010-04-05T21:20:32.101-04:00Cake Taste Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My entire family (myself included) LOVED the cake. My youngest brother (14 and therefore a sugar expert) said "It's the best cake I've eaten in a long time". Even I indulged in a piece (a rather large one) trying to forgot the millions of chemicals in the frosting and cake mix and focus on the egg whites and applesauce. Hey, everything in moderation, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7qJs49bCuI/AAAAAAAAAFg/X3ppzZK-Psw/s1600/IMG_2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7qJs49bCuI/AAAAAAAAAFg/X3ppzZK-Psw/s320/IMG_2205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't you love the yellow and blue layers?? Because I do :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some more peepshi pictures to brighten up your Monday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-59686410112781919462010-04-04T08:15:00.001-04:002010-04-04T08:16:31.035-04:00Happy EasterWhat do you get when you combine chemicals, sugar, peeps, and a mother/daughter duo looking for a cute easter treat for the church brunch?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7iBIjMzvoI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/pMWcviyuCqA/s1600/23504_410829510189_730855189_5467613_3340859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7iBIjMzvoI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/pMWcviyuCqA/s400/23504_410829510189_730855189_5467613_3340859_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Peepshi!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you to the genius minds of <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/03/peeps-recipes-how-to-make-peepshi-sushi-rice-krispies-treats-easter.html?ref=carousel?source=thekitchn">Serious Eats</a>, my mother and I created the perfect Easter coffee hour treat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7iChi_2OgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/XgLl82yonAU/s1600/25775_859219629873_6207470_46771826_5644395_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7iChi_2OgI/AAAAAAAAAFY/XgLl82yonAU/s320/25775_859219629873_6207470_46771826_5644395_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Easter!!</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-74446592869822095002010-04-03T19:15:00.000-04:002010-04-03T19:15:08.938-04:00Baking Like Sandra LeeI absolutely love watching the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/">Food Network</a>! I spend most of my free time reading cookbooks, food blogs while watching FN...okay maybe I'm just a little obsessive. But for some reason...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fDNr0Hd7I/AAAAAAAAAEw/aK7dIbMHQJ4/s1600/bio-sandra-lee_al.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fDNr0Hd7I/AAAAAAAAAEw/aK7dIbMHQJ4/s200/bio-sandra-lee_al.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">drives me crazy. Now I'm blonde and peppy but even I have my perky limits and somehow in less than thirty minutes Ms. Sandra Lee can push me to the edge. Maybe it's the crazy tablescapes????</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT I will admit that she has some good ideas and excellent tips/tricks for the busy family. Her <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/sandra-lee/index.html">70/30</a> rule is not for your snobbish foodie yet ideal for the busy mother trying to make a good meal for her family. Today in the spirit of Sandra Lee I created a "semi homemade" Easter cake for my family dinner tomorrow evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basically I took these: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fE1fKCfRI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6V66DQ5_TCM/s1600/DSCN0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fE1fKCfRI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6V66DQ5_TCM/s320/DSCN0786.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and made this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fFBtncOmI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Vk23kWDY7bg/s1600/DSCN0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fFBtncOmI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Vk23kWDY7bg/s320/DSCN0788.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's my "semi homemade" Easter cake :) Now it looks pretty (not quite Ace of Cakes but pretty close) though I haven't tasted it yet. But personally aesthetic appeal is much more important to taste. It took me less than an hour to bake and decorate my cake thanks to the wise inspiration of Sandra Lee.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Spring (Easter) Cake</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Cake Ingredients</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>One cake mix box (I used Pillsbury Classic White)</li>
<li>4 egg whites</li>
<li>1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce</li>
<li>1.25 cups water</li>
</ul><div><b>Frosting Ingredients</b></div><div><ul><li>8oz tub of Sugar Free Cool Whip</li>
<li>1 oz package of Fat Free Cream Cheese</li>
<li>1/2 cup sugar (I used Splenda...don't judge)</li>
<li>1 tsp sugar</li>
</ul><div><b>Cake Decor:</b></div><div><ul><li>Food coloring</li>
<li>Jellybeans</li>
<li>Sprinkles</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div></div></div><br />
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<ol><li>Preheat oven to 350 F</li>
<li>Combine all cake ingredients in electric mixer and mix until smooth</li>
<li>Distribute batter evenly into 2 9 inch greased cake pans (I used cooking spray)</li>
<li>Use food color to dye cake batter (I did blue and yellow)</li>
<li>Cook for 30 minutes then use a toothpick to check if cakes are done baking</li>
<li>When done, remove from oven and let cool for ten minutes. Then use dinner knife to loosen cake from pan and place cake on cooling rack. Allow cake to cool to room temperature before frosting.</li>
<li>Combine all ingredients for frosting in electric mixer while cake is cooking and mix until smooth. Add food coloring (I used red and blue to make pink).</li>
<li>When cakes are room temperature, frost cake.</li>
<li>Decorate cake with frosting, sprinkles, and jelly beans (or whatever you feel like)</li>
</ol><div>Voila! You've made a fabulous spring (easter) cake in less than thirty minutes. And if you're feeling all fancy you can make more layers or even cupcakes. I'd like to thank Sandra Lee again for making me feel okay for using pre-made almost everything (except those egg whites which are a pain...any tips???). </div><div><br />
</div><div>I also took inspiration from this outfit to do my kitchen work </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fKPveEm2I/AAAAAAAAAFI/NA2CD5d1Zj4/s1600/slutty-costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S7fKPveEm2I/AAAAAAAAAFI/NA2CD5d1Zj4/s320/slutty-costume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or not...I wore my ratty old PJs. Why risk ruining such a wonderful outfit??</div><div><br />
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-66514837238252224482010-03-28T13:44:00.000-04:002010-03-28T13:44:18.574-04:00More OatsOh oatmeal how I love and adore thee! And I've discovered the new love of my oatmeal life...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S6-RyImofVI/AAAAAAAAAEo/oyikDA5Etus/s1600/DSCN0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S6-RyImofVI/AAAAAAAAAEo/oyikDA5Etus/s320/DSCN0779.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Oats In A Jar!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now I've seen oats in a jar over all the blogs however I've never experienced the joy. I eat breakfast at work and lots of time I sleep through breakfast on the weekends (eek I know I should eat breakfast). But this lovely (aka cold and gray) Sunday morning, I had to take the family to the airport and I needed some fuel if I wanted to drive to the airport and then do some kickboxing and weight lifting. I also had a nearly empty jar of <a href="http://ilovepeanutbutter.com/index.php">Peanut Butter & Co</a> Dark Chocolate Dreams from baking on Friday. I made peanut butter banana cookies ala <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2008/12/lower-fat-peanut-butter-banana-cookies.html">Fat Free Vegan</a>, I used all whole wheat pastry flour, Dark Chocolate Dreams PB, and no chocolate chips. Sorry no pictures but the cookies turned out yummy and very banana in flavor (which I love...makes me feel healthier for eating cookies).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, so I saved my nearly empty jar of Dark Chocolate Dreams (which I plan on buying more of immediately) and whipped up 1/2 cup of oats with a medium/large banana to toss inside my jar. After cooling for a few minutes, I risked burning my mouth and dove into my oats. YUM! Why had I waited so long to do this??? If you have a nearly empty jar of PB, save it for your oats :) I'm so tempted to buy PB and empty the jar into Tupperware so I can have oats in a jar again tomorrow. Or maybe this is just an incentive to eat more peanut butter...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have you tried oats in a jar? And what's your favorite nut butter? I think I finally found mine :)</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-49124653663404558992010-03-24T16:16:00.000-04:002010-03-24T16:16:36.416-04:00Single eating: the leftovers dilema<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">As a single girl I often struggle NOT to get bored with my meals. It becomes routine to make the same salad beast every day and eat the same oatmeal everyday. So I decided to purchase one of my favorites: spaghetti squash and attempt to create several different meals out of one squash. I purchased my squash at Whole Foods aka Whole Paycheck and returned to my apartment to analyze my pantry and fridge to create a scrumptious meal. Of course you probably think I should have gone to Whole Foods with a meal plan but I'm trying to be spontaneous (or just too lazy to figure out some recipes).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I discovered a zucchini, salsa, and leftover black bean dip I had made sometime last week. So I decided to create a Mexican spaghetti squash extravaganza. I mixed lots of salsa with the black bean dip (basically I had pureed black beans with cilantro and garlic), shredded the zucchini, and tossed them all on top of some spaghetti squash "noodles".</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">It was absolutely delicious! I'm saddened that I don't have any more zucchini, salsa, and black bean dip. But I have leftover spaghetti squash noodles. So for tomorrow, I'm thinking a Mac and "Cheese" dish ala <a href="http://heathereatsalmondbutter.com/recipes/mac-cheese-with-peas-heab-style/">HEAB</a>...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">For lunch the next day, I whipped out some leftover spaghetti squash and used nutritional yeast for the first time EVER. And created a wonderful sauce using a 1/4 block lite silken tofu pureed with 1 T nutritional yeast and 4 cups spinach I'd sautéed on the stove with some garlic. Mix the "cheese" sauce with the spaghetti squash and some broccoli, season with some S&P (I used garlic salt because I'm obsessed with garlic), and try not to devour in three seconds. It looks slightly disgusting but it's wonderful!! What will I create with my spaghetti squash tomorrow?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Today I needed a quick lunch since I worked up quite an appetite reading Vogue on the elliptical. The night before I decided I wanted to make some hummus ala a <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/">Hungry Girl</a> that used artichokes and Greek yogurt instead of oil and tahini (which actually defines hummus but I wanted to give it a try from her book 200 under 200-1/4 cup hummus for 50 calories...sign me up). So for lunch I decided to sauté the rest of my spaghetti squash with 3-4 cups spinach, 1/2 cup mushroom pieces, 1 small tomato, 1/2 mini cucumber in balsamic vinegar on the stove. I topped my stir fry with a generous 1/4 cup of Hungry Girl hummus (which turned out delicious with my addition of extra garlic, I didn't even miss the tahini). Mix all together and enjoy :)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">With one smallish spaghetti squash I managed to create three different meals (don't worry I had other food as well with these meals lots of fruits and whole wheat carbs). If you're willing to mix random ingredients or combine different recipes or use blogs for food inspiration you can eat yummy home cooked meals designed for one.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Do you have any suggestions on using leftovers? Or do you get bored eating the same food? Obviously I don't!!</span></span><br />
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</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-82965626480666419892010-03-01T17:53:00.002-05:002010-03-01T17:55:27.272-05:00Mini RANT then Traveling TipsWarning mini rant (so skip this paragraph if you don't want to read my complaint):<br />
Has anyone seen the show on Style Network called What I Hate About Me? While flipping through the channels I stumbled upon this show with the premise that the host helps a woman change the top ten things that she hates about her (her looks, life, clothing, job, etc). For example this woman hated that she and her family ate unhealthy, processed food so she had a private cooking class with a personal chef. And then she hated her yellow teeth so a cosmetic dentist gave her veneers. I sat in amazement as the host and the woman changing herself used the words "hate" and "me" in almost every sentence. After ten minutes I had to turn the television off and reflect on the insanity that I just witnessed. The title of the show, What I Hate About Me, sends a HORRIBLE message to anyone watching the show. Everyone has little aspects of his/her life that drives them crazy or invokes desires of change or unhappiness. However, hate is such a strong word and I don't think that a television show should be asking a woman what she hates about herself. Maybe she is unhappy with the fact that she has yellow teeth but the fact that she associates hate and herself because of her teeth is horribly unhealthy. As women now-a-days we are held to insanely high standards to be super mothers while maintaining an active social life, fantastic careers, keeping our "men" happy, maintain a strict workout routine, perfect figure, and never eating anything but carrots and apples. So now, we have to find the ten little things that aren't perfect and we have to fix them. Of course eating healthy is a fantastic goal for everyone but because you eat a cookie every once in a while doesn't mean you should hate yourself. The word "hate" especially in regards to yourself is horrible, would you tell your best friend ten things you hate about her and how she should fix them? I think that we should embrace the all parts of ourselves and our lives. And maybe those little parts that don't completely satisfy us, can either be our little quirks that we grow to love or as motivation to make little changes as in eating more fruits and vegetables rather than a candy bar. Anyways, rant over (has anyone seen this show??)<br />
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Traveling tips time :) I'm leaving for Denver tomorrow for a work related conference. In November, I went on my first "business" trip to San Antonio, Texas when I learned many lessons about traveling for work. San Antonio is not the most vegetarian friendly city and I ended up losing four pounds in the couple days I stayed there. So this time, I decided to go to Denver more prepared with food in case I have difficultly finding healthy food (though according to my vegan co-worker who lived in Denver, there are numerous vegetarian/vegan restaurants and cafes...yay). First, the breakfast menu at my hotel includes bacon, sugar laden cereal, waffles, bagels, and sausage...not my ideal breakfast. So I'm coming prepared with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4w_PkGgeuI/AAAAAAAAADg/t6a1SXekES0/s1600-h/DSCN0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4w_PkGgeuI/AAAAAAAAADg/t6a1SXekES0/s200/DSCN0754.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Instant Oatmeal-just add boiling water which you can get by running water through a coffee maker without any coffee grinds (yes it's Wal-mart brand-DC living is expensive)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4w_oyRZO6I/AAAAAAAAADo/DNNBMSb7z6E/s1600-h/DSCN0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4w_oyRZO6I/AAAAAAAAADo/DNNBMSb7z6E/s200/DSCN0751.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.materne.us/homepage/">Squeezable Applesauce</a> to put in my oatmeal plus I plan on purchasing bananas at the Starbucks near my hotel to round out my breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now at these conferences there aren't too many healthy snack options. I'm not a huge sweets person and I don't want to eat cookies and pastries if I need a snack so I'm coming prepared with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xAYPmg_5I/AAAAAAAAAD4/HnrnRwFEmyw/s1600-h/DSCN0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xAYPmg_5I/AAAAAAAAAD4/HnrnRwFEmyw/s200/DSCN0756.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clifbar.com/">Apple Cinnamon Clif Z Bars</a> which is the best flavor ever!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xAsyHOL7I/AAAAAAAAAEA/04ILc5lQm1s/s1600-h/DSCN0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xAsyHOL7I/AAAAAAAAAEA/04ILc5lQm1s/s200/DSCN0752.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clifbar.com/">Whole unflavored almonds</a> and <a href="http://www.emeraldnuts.com/">cocoa roasted almonds</a> both of which I can also add to my oatmeal </div><div style="text-align: center;">(yummmm healthy fat)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xBNae6NOI/AAAAAAAAAEI/G0sUGzEwdLA/s1600-h/DSCN0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4xBNae6NOI/AAAAAAAAAEI/G0sUGzEwdLA/s200/DSCN0753.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.primalspiritfoods.com/">Meat free jerky</a> in case I have difficulty finding non animal protein in restaurants (major problem in San Antonio because I could never find beans or lentils or tofu and CVS acted as the only "grocery" store)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelling as a healthy eater (or vegetarian or vegan) can be incredibly difficult. So I've begun packing food help me survive time away from kitchen and fridge. Just by finding some little snacks and very expensive squeezable applesauce (ah, Whole "Paycheck"), you can survive. Plus I've found that smiling and asking very nicely will typically let you customize your food choices at restaurants. Goal for Denver: do not lose weight (oh and do the networking/learning for my job...).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have any tips for travel? Business or pleasure? Or any restaurant recommendations for Denver?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And in the spirit of my mini rant, tell the ten thing you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">LOVE</span> about yourself and your life. I'll start:</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. My strong body </div><div style="text-align: left;">2. My wonderful family and friends</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. The fact that I have a good job, car, and apartment in this economy</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. My bright blue eyes </div><div style="text-align: left;">5. My blistered, dry feet (my trophy of all my athleticism)</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. My active and curious mind</div><div style="text-align: left;">7. Cooking fun and whole foods that make me feel good inside and out</div><div style="text-align: left;">8. My book collection</div><div style="text-align: left;">9. All the museums, buildings, restaurants, activities, etc I have access to in DC</div><div style="text-align: left;">10. My journal to record all my hopes and aspirations and feelings</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-23213800118533510042010-02-23T22:24:00.000-05:002010-02-23T22:24:49.252-05:00Reading in the Rain<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">Due to long days of inclement weather (aka it's cold and rainy) thus killing any motivation to venture outdoors except to the gym or work or the grocery store, I've been doing lots and lots of reading. Fortunately, my library is close and often has a decent selection of books and the capability to transfer books from other libraries in my county. I've always been interested in nutrition but I've never done much research into vegetarian/vegan nutrition. And I've realized that I'm not eating enough during the day. I've also discovered that RDs and nutritionists are incredibly expensive even with help from insurance (over $100 for 45 minutes...I don't think so). So what's a modern girl to do? Pull out her library card and do research! I didn't go to college for nothing...lol. So I found this book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vegan-Vegetarian-Faq-Frequently-Questions/dp/0931411246">Vegan & Vegetarian Faq: Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions </a>edited by Reeds Mangels and Davida Gypsy Breier with the Vegetarian Resource Group. I greatly enjoyed reading this book especially all the questions that were answered by the authors. Questions range from nutrition questions to questions regarding vegan tattoo ink. Though this book did not provide advanced nutritional facts/plans for Vegan/Vegetarians it did provide an insight into the Vegetarian/Vegan lifestyle. I highly recommend this book if you are a vegan/vegetarian, contemplated becoming a vegan/vegetarian, or just have questions regarding a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle. I would like to find a good Vegetarian nutrional book that would give me meal ideas and tricks to eating properly throughout the day. Any suggestions?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;">On a more serious note, I seem to have a problem eating enough during the day so I often over eat at night for example I ate an entire container of hummus with rice cakes this afternoon! I work all day with limited access to food (unless I bring it in). Do you have suggestions for good snacks or meal ideas that will help me eat more throughout the day?</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-62156673712418002922010-02-21T12:15:00.000-05:002010-02-21T12:15:08.888-05:00DC Vegan CafeIn case you were wondering, I survived the massive blizzard that overtook Washington DC. I bunkered down in my parent's house which is closer to my office than my apartment where I basically slept, ate, read, watched TV, repeat. Fortunately I managed to get some gym time in thanks to my mother's SUV and Michigan winter driving skills. Plus hiking in snow up to your waist for a couple miles is a fantastic workout. And walking up and down the stairs for an hour gets your heart-rate going even though your parents look at you like you're crazy...<br />
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Just for an idea of how much snow the DC metro area received here are some comparison photos.<br />
<br />
My little Hyundai Accent Friday night in the first couple hours of snow fall:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FiKR24tMI/AAAAAAAAADA/Y640aUyfsqw/s1600-h/car1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FiKR24tMI/AAAAAAAAADA/Y640aUyfsqw/s320/car1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Here's my car Saturday morning as snow still kept falling:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FiWJ6ENBI/AAAAAAAAADI/qBBt7r-WFlM/s1600-h/snowcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FiWJ6ENBI/AAAAAAAAADI/qBBt7r-WFlM/s320/snowcar.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Needless to say my car would not move without massive assistance. So my Dad and two teenage brothers removed all the snow from around my car and moved it into the driveway...while I sat in the warmth of my parent's house stamping cards with my mother! My mother provided a bounty of food including 30000 containers of hummus which I proceeded to devour over the next week (some with veggies and some with massive amounts of pita chips). But after a couple days, I got massive cabin fever and finally managed to return to my apartment and make a connection with the outside world! So when my friend <a href="http://sarahs-scrumptious-samplings.blogspot.com/2010/02/eco-vegan-vegetarian-carnivore-friendly.html">E.</a> asked me to go to another Vegan cafe in downtown DC, I became ecstatic to be a social human being (not that I don't love my time with my family) and finally try <a href="http://www.javagreencafe.com/">Java Green</a>! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.javagreencafe.com/">Java Green</a> considers itself an organic eco-cafe that does not serve any products with meat, fish, or eggs. Plus there are numerous Vegan, Gluten free, and Raw options for everyone (well except omnivores looking for steak). Plus all of their takeout silverware and dish ware are biodegradable and the cafe provides recycling bins. It's a tiny cafe perfect for grabbing a quick healthy lunch (though seating is limited so I wouldn't go during the week during prime lunch hours). After browsing the menu (so many yummy options) I finally chose the seaweed soup with kelp, seaweed, mushroom, and scallions in veggie broth.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FlMN1u9fI/AAAAAAAAADQ/qNUnkp76o3k/s1600-h/DSCN0744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4FlMN1u9fI/AAAAAAAAADQ/qNUnkp76o3k/s320/DSCN0744.JPG" /></a></div>And trust me, it's as delicious as it looks! A huge bowl of soup on a windy, winter day in DC satisfied my soul plus reminded me that I still knew how to behave in social situations and wear real clothes not just my brother's sweatpants and a ratty hoodie. My friend E. chose the organic tofu scramble (which is a very popular brunch item...yum vegan brunch).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4Flx5GJkeI/AAAAAAAAADY/Gg1xTVkxIyo/s1600-h/DSCN0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S4Flx5GJkeI/AAAAAAAAADY/Gg1xTVkxIyo/s320/DSCN0745.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>She seemed to enjoy the scramble (she spiced it up with Java Green original hot sauce) but I had a little taste and I thought it needed some kick minus the hot sauce as I am a spicy wimp. I would have covered the scramble in garlic (as I typically do with all food I consume including popcorn). We both sipped on brewed hot teas and chatted about how we survived the blizzard of 2010!<br />
<br />
I immensely enjoyed Java Green and contrary to some opinions on Yelp, I found the staff to be friendly and knowledgeable about the food and customer's dietary restrictions. I am definitely returning (even though the food prices were a little pricey-$10 for my huge bowl of soup) because there are so many other options I want to sample including raw pizza, mango kale salad, etc. Plus I'd rather pay a little more money for food that is good for me and the environment! Though I typically will avoid all the dishes with faux meat products. I've found that many faux meat products are too processed for my taste though I love <a href="http://www.quorn.us//cmpage.aspx?pageid=479&productid=153">Quorn's frozen "chicken" tenders</a>.<br />
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Have you tried any faux meat products? If so what are you favorites or which ones don't you like? And do you have any tips for surviving long snow days without eating your weight in hummus?<br />
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And if I can get my act together I should be back sometime this week with a book review!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-81953914480553283462010-02-03T22:10:00.000-05:002010-02-03T22:10:59.462-05:00Eco-Vegan-Vegetarian-Carnivore Friendly HavenAs a vegetarian, it can be difficult to find restaurants that will satisfy my culinary demands as well as my meat eating friends. For example-Outback Grill last weekend...I'm not paying $10 for an iceberg lettuce salad! One of my co-workers (he's a vegan) told me about a restaurant in Arlington (VA neighborhood right outside of DC) called <a href="http://www.toscanagrill.com/">Toscana Green (Grill)</a>. So one of my friends and I decided to check it out one night after happy hour.<br />
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Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the interior but picture a smaller, cozier restaurant with lots of booths and various shades of green...really cute :) It wasn't crowded and our waiter was incredibly attentive. Both my friend and I just drank water (boring but healthy) and munched on some whole grain bread appetizers. I didn't try the oil-so I can't pass judgement:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o2AIUnYDI/AAAAAAAAAB0/z6HPuiSUwzY/s1600-h/DSCN0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o2AIUnYDI/AAAAAAAAAB0/z6HPuiSUwzY/s200/DSCN0733.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Finally our meals came. I love the idea of pasta but pasta typically upsets my stomach...it's too heavy for me! But when I saw raw zucchini pasta with basil marinara I knew I had to try it!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o2vArb7pI/AAAAAAAAAB8/ImVll1Q6spo/s1600-h/DSCN0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o2vArb7pI/AAAAAAAAAB8/ImVll1Q6spo/s200/DSCN0735.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The dish was super yummy but the marinara sauce was a little watery yet the fresh basil was an amazing addition to the sauce. I'm going to add fresh basil to all of my tomato sauces!! But I was still really hungry after I finished all my meal (and I hardly ever finish a restaurant portion meal). I need some non meat protein and fat (so I might have snacked on some hummus when I returned home).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friend ordered the curry risotto which included mushroom, onion, and carrots in a curry cream sauce over brown rice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o3yCcakQI/AAAAAAAAACE/wlO8Vzo3Oy0/s1600-h/DSCN0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S2o3yCcakQI/AAAAAAAAACE/wlO8Vzo3Oy0/s200/DSCN0734.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stole a little bit and I loved it! Typically I'm not a huge rice fan (I prefer to get my grains in the form of popcorn...lol). The curry tasted amazing: not too heavy and creamy and complimented the veggies and brown rice perfectly. I'm definitely going back to Toscana Green and sampling some of the other vegetarian/vegan dishes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's amazing about Toscana Green is the variety of options! There are pasta dishes, entrees, salads, soups for every diet including carnivores, vegans, vegetarians, gluten free, raw foodies, etc. It's the perfect place for a mixed group of culinary demands. Prices were typical for a more casual DC restaurants (I paid around $15 for my entire meal including tip). Though my pasta was not super filling, I loved the flavors of my dish and the risotto. And I definitely have a couple ideas for my next meal at Toscana Green: the asparagus risotto caught my eye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you eat a different diet from your friends? And if you do, how do you pick restaurants that everyone will enjoy??</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-22168753320102904882010-01-24T18:21:00.001-05:002010-01-24T18:22:26.097-05:00Warm Moroccan NightsNothing is more wonderful than returning home from a long day of work on a cold and blustery day to the wonderful aroma of dinner cooking away. A slow cooker is an essential tool in any kitchen especially for those crazy busy days with no time to cook. I got my slow cooker last Christmas and it's been one of most favorite presents (Thanks Mom)! With a little planning and prep work, on those busy days you can avoid the "drive thru" and come home to a nutritious, delicious meal. Even if you don't have a family to feed (I'm a single gal cooking for me, myself, and I), slow cooker leftovers can often be frozen and saved for an emergency lunch or dinner! Plus nothing is more tasty than a yummy stew seasoned with the tastes of a warm foreign country so I introduce<br />
<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e69138;">Moroccan Squash and Spinach Stew</span></b>.<br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 cup chopped carrots (about 3 medium)</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 medium butternut squash cubed (about 2.5 lbs)</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">5.5 cups shredded spinach</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 cup low sodium veggie broth</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">4 cloves chopped garlic</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">14.5 oz can no salt added diced tomatoes</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">1 tsp cumin ½ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp red pepper flakes</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: normal;">15 oz can no salt added garbanzo beans</span><br />
</div></b><br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
1. Peel and chop butternut squash into half inch cubes and place in slow cooker<br />
2. Chop 3 medium carrots (about one cup) and place in slow cooker<br />
3. Chop/shred about 10oz of spinach (equals about 5.5 cups shredded) and place in slow cooker<br />
3. Chop garlic gloves and place in slow cooker<br />
4. Add 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes UNDRAINED to slow cooker<br />
5. Add 1 (or 1.5) cups low sodium vegetable broth to slow cooker<br />
6. Add spices and mix all ingredients<br />
7. Cook on low for 5-6 hours depending on your slow cooker (very difficult to over cook-I cooked mine for almost 8)<br />
8. Add 15 oz can of garbanzo beans and cook on high for five minutes<br />
9. Season with salt and pepper (I used garlic salt...muwhahahaha-I love garlic)<br />
10. DEVOUR :)<br />
<br />
Makes approximately 6 generous 1 cup servings.<br />
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Nutritional Stats (from <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/">Spark People</a>): 163 calories, 1.6 grams fat, 10 grams fiber, 6.8 grams protein<br />
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In the slow cooker (doesn't it look pretty):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S1zUBRtsU7I/AAAAAAAAABk/2xovlhTyFaM/s1600-h/DSCN0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S1zUBRtsU7I/AAAAAAAAABk/2xovlhTyFaM/s320/DSCN0727.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because I'm lazy in the mornings, I chopped everything up the night before and put the pot from my slow cooker in my fridge overnight. So the next morning, I popped it into the slow cooker and let it cook away while I was at work all day :) It was a wonderful aroma to come home too especially on a cold, yucky, rainy day. I put individual servings in containers and tossed them in the freezer so the next time I need a last minute meal-I have yummy stew waiting.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have any good slow cooker recipes that you rely on? <br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-35909439174538724352010-01-19T22:04:00.000-05:002010-01-19T22:04:44.228-05:00The Happiness Within Me<blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-large;">"Find happiness within yourself. Then share yourself with others."</span></span></b></span></blockquote><br />
I love my Yogi tea and it's inspiration messages on the tea bag. And I found the happiness within me today from my yummy dinner and now I'm sharing the secret of my yummy happiness with you: <a href="http://potomacfinefoods.com/products/traditional-hummus">Cava Mezze Hummus</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S1Zv9yw9I7I/AAAAAAAAABU/RO7J_8-k3m8/s1600-h/DSCN0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_72SZhhpCbhA/S1Zv9yw9I7I/AAAAAAAAABU/RO7J_8-k3m8/s320/DSCN0728.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
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I absolutely adore hummus. I could live on hummus (and popcorn) for the rest of my life and die happy :) Now I'm a hummus snob and when I'm too lazy/tired/busy to make my own hummus there are only certain brands of hummus I purchase. Typically I purchase <a href="http://www.tribehummus.com/index.html">Tribe Roasted Red Pepper Hummus</a> or the ultimate "crack" hummus <a href="http://www.sabra.com/homepage.html">Sabra hummus</a> (especially the Spinach artichoke hummus) BUT one of my fantastic coworkers introduced me to Cava Mezze hummus which is made locally in Rockville, MD (very close to my company's HQ). <br />
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This hummus is creamy, flavored to perfection with only a slight tahini aftertaste (I do not like strong tahini tastes in my hummus even though I know it's what defines hummus). And check out these nutritional stats (per 2 tablespoons): 30 calories, 1 gram fat, 1 gram protein. It's ingredient list is even more impressive: garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, kosher salt, garlic, and citric acid (I can pronounce all of those)! This is definitely a case where less (ingredients) is more (taste, awesomeness, health benefits). <br />
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Now how do I consume my hummus? The real question is how I don't consume only hummus. Well tonight I made one of my favorite hummus inspired meals:<br />
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Salad beast (hummus, spinach, brocoli slaw, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, balsamic vinegar) & grilled pita with hummus (plus a pear on the side).<br />
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I've shared with you the happiness within me (trust me there is plenty of this hummus in me). Now what are some of your favorite hummus inspired meals? Or brands? Or recipes?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-24544449297633994662010-01-11T21:45:00.001-05:002010-01-15T16:08:19.563-05:00Southwestern Spaghetti SquashFor a long time I was scared of making any dishes involving spaghetti squash. First, how did I get the noodles? What would happen if I burnt the squash? What if I hated the taste? Finally I convinced myself that 2010 would be the year of eating outside the box and I was going to tackle the Spaghetti Squash. I created a Southwestern Spaghetti Squash dish that was not only healthy and delicious but very easy with only a few ingredients. Here's the recipe:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sarah's Southwestern Spaghetti Squash </span></b><br />
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
-1 small spaghetti squash (2 cups of "noodles")<br />
-0.5 cup black beans (I used Goya)<br />
-0.5 cup chopped onion<br />
-0.5 cup chopped mushrooms<br />
-0.5 cup salsa (I used mild-but super spicy foods do not agree with my tummy)<br />
-0.5 tsp taco seasoning<br />
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<b>Directions:</b><br />
1. Chop spaghetti squash in half. Place squash cut side down in a baking pan filled with an inch of water. Roast squash at 400 F for 45-50 minutes.<br />
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2. Remove spaghetti squash from oven and use a fork to make "spaghetti noodles". Place spaghetti squash noodles in a strainer.<br />
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3. Chop mushroom and onion. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and saute onion/mushrooms for a minute or two. Add the black beans and taco seasoning.<br />
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4. Add 2 cups of spaghetti squash "noodles" to the skillet. Saute for another two minutes.<br />
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5. Turn off the stove and place contents of skillet on a plate. Add 0.5 cup of salsa and mix.<br />
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</div>6. Devour!!<br />
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It took all my self control not eat this dish in five seconds! The salsa and taco seasoning added just enough spice to my veggies and black beans. This dish is easy and very adaptable to individual tastes (and fridge contents). A combination of red peppers and cilantro could be yummy :) Plus if you like super spicy, add some red pepper flakes and/or chili powder. <br />
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Here are the nutritional stats (from <a href="http://www.sparkpeople.com/">Spark People</a>): 249 calories, 1.9 grams fat, 14.3 grams fiber, 12.7 grams protein.<br />
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Have you ever tried spaghetti squash? If so what, are you favorite recipes?? Plus do you have any food resolutions for 2010?<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><ul style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: black; border-right-color: black; border-top-color: black; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="servings" style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: none; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: none; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; font-size: 11px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-top: 2px;"><br />
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</ul></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-82455939062897103762010-01-03T12:59:00.000-05:002010-01-03T12:59:44.347-05:00New Decade, New Recipes<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy 2010! </span></b><br />
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It's a new year ( and a new decade)! I believe in New Year's Resolutions but not unrealistic ones like going from never working out to running 5 miles everyday (or losing twenty pounds in a week). I like resolutions that challenge me without being completely unattainable so I don't feel guilty for not accomplishing my resolutions. This year one of my resolutions is to cook more often with different recipes incorporating different ingredients. I love to cook so the actual "cooking" process will be relaxing. However, I get lazy when it comes to finding recipes and purchasing the ingredients and taking the time to cook a new dish. Plus the majority of recipes are 4+ serving size (I only feed me) and I'm scared of eating leftovers for the two weeks or wasting food. <br />
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BUT those are just excuses! I can halve a recipe, I can modify a recipe with ingredients I have/like, and if I'm willing to wait thirty minutes to cook lentils I can take that time to prep/cook a new dish.<br />
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So I decided to attempt a soup recipe that my mother emailed me: Spinach-Tomato Soup. Not the most challenging or different from my normal produce packed salads but at least I'm cooking (and not dumping a can of Amy's soup on the stove). And I also attempted baking my own vegan whole wheat rolls to dip in my soup.<br />
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<b>Spinach-Tomato Soup</b><br />
(About 8 servings)<br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
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<ul><li>10 oz. bag of baby spinach</li>
<li>15 oz. can of no salt added diced tomatoes</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: line-through;">2 medium celery stalks, chopped</span> (I strongly dislike celery unless its smothered in peanut butter so I didn't use it but definitely include it if you like it)</li>
<li>2 medium carrots, chopped (I used about 15 baby carrots)</li>
<li>1 large onion, choppped</li>
<li>4 cups vegetable broth (low sodium)</li>
<li>2 bay leaves</li>
<li>1 TBSP basil (dried)</li>
<li>1 tsp oregano (dried)</li>
<li>0.5 tsp red pepper flakes</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions</b></div><div><ol><li>Toss all ingredients into a 4+ quart slow cooker</li>
<li>Cook on high for 5 hours </li>
<li>Remove bay leaves</li>
<li>Enjoy!</li>
</ol><div>Nutritional Stats based on 8 servings (using <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp">Spark People recipe calculator</a>, 2 medium carrots, 2 medium stalks of celery): 41.1 calories, 0.3 grams fat, 2.3 grams fiber, 1.9 grams protein</div><div><br />
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<b>Healthy Vegan Whole Wheat Rolls</b><br />
(Approximately 8 rolls)<br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
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<ul><li>0.5 cup whole wheat pastry flour</li>
<li>0.5 cup whole wheat flour</li>
<li>1/8th tsp salt</li>
<li>1.5 tsp baking powder</li>
<li>1 tsp parsley (dried)</li>
<li>1 tsp thyme (dried)</li>
<li>0.5 tsp rosemary (dried)</li>
<li>1/2 cup vegetable broth (low sodium)</li>
<li>1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce</li>
</ul><div><b>Directions</b></div><div><ol><li>Preheat oven to 450 degrees</li>
<li>Mix dry ingridents in one bowl (flour, salt, baking powder, parsley, thyme, rosemary)</li>
<li>Mix dry ingredients in one bowl (vegetable broth, applesauce)</li>
<li>Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients</li>
<li>Spray a baking sheet with no stick spray (or cover in foil-less cleanup)</li>
<li>Using two spoons (very sticky batter) place batter balls on baking sheet (whatever size you'd like)</li>
<li>Bake for ten minutes (check them often to prevent burned rolls)</li>
<li>Enjoy!</li>
</ol><div>Nutritional Stats based on 8 servings (using <a href="http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp">Spark People recipe calculator</a>): 59.7 calories, 0.3 grams fat, 2.2 grams fiber, 1.8 grams protein</div></div><br />
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<b>Final Product</b><br />
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YUM! I added a 1/4th cup cooked lentils to my serving of soup (I ate about a fourth of entire recipe). I cooked the lentils while the soup was bubbling away in my crockpot and dump them in after I served my portion of soup. I believe that you could add 1-2 cups of uncooked lentils (or other protein) to the soup ingredients to make it a more substantial meal. The rolls were delicious (especially dipped in the soup) and I managed to display some self control and only eat one. Next time I make the recipe I might play with a different combination of spices (adjust to your personal taste) and of course I was singing Scarborough Fair while baking the rolls. I personally think the rolls ended up looking like whole wheat savory cookies but tasted delicious (might add some more baking powder and use a muffin tin next time).<br />
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Not a bad start to New Year's resolution. I'm going to try to make one new recipe a week (and post my results on the blog) but I'm not making any absolute promises (another resolution: relax and enjoy food and not treat cooking/eating as a chore). Maybe I'll make <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/indian/recipe-very-simple-dal-palak-080763">this</a> recipe sometime this week.<br />
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Do you have any New Year's Resolutions? Or any recipes you want to share with me? Or tips for healthy, single serving, vegetarian food?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1045440461748988766.post-85135123184280247232009-12-04T17:56:00.000-05:002009-12-04T17:56:17.231-05:00My Big Fat Greek YogurtI love Mediterranean/Greek food especially the joys of Greek yogurt. As a vegetarian, it can sometimes be difficult to find healthy, low fat, low calorie sources of protein and Greek yogurt provides an excellent option to get a large percentage of my daily protein intake. I have tried numerous types of Greek yogurt but my absolute favorite is Chobani Greek yogurt especially the plain and vanilla flavors. Chobani has the best flavors and is typically the cheapest Greek yogurt ($1.25 for 6oz at Giant Food opposed to $1.99 for 6oz of Oikos).<br />
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</div>Here are the nutritional stats for 6oz No Fat Plain <a href="http://www.chobani.com/">Chobani</a>: 100 calories and 18g protein! 6 oz No Fat Vanilla Chobani: 120 calories and 16g protein. Both are low calorie, fat free sources of protein (excellent for vegetarians). I've tried all the flavored Chobani yogurts and my favorites (beside the plain and vanilla) are the peach, honey, and strawberry. The flavored yogurts typically have higher calories and lower amounts of protein but are still excellent additions to any meal or snack. The <a href="http://www.chobani.com/products/c/nonfat">Chobani</a> website has all of the nutritional values for all of their products.<br />
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Here are a few ways that I like to use Greek yogurt:<br />
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<b>Greek yogurt and cereal:</b><br />
Mix 6oz of your choice of Greek yogurt with a serving (or two) of your favorite cold cereal. I love mixing the plain Chobani with a serving of <a href="http://www.kashi.com/products/kashi_honey_sunshine_original">Kashi Honey Sunshine</a> cereal. Another of my favorite mixtures is the vanilla Chobani with a serving (or two) of <a href="http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold-cereals/kamut-puffs">Nature's Path Kamut Puffs</a> (more in another post about my love of Kamut puffs).<br />
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<b>Greek yogurt and veggies:</b><br />
Mix a couple tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and some garlic (I love garlic). Toss with a variety of veggies. Stuff mixture into a whole wheat pita or tortilla shell. For you non vegetarians this would be really good with a serving of grilled chicken.<br />
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<b>Greek yogurt and baking:</b><br />
You can use Greek yogurt as a replacement in baking. The Chobani website has a ton of recipes! I've made this <a href="http://www.chobani.com/recipes/detail/id/7">banana bread</a> recipe for my father and brothers except I used Ener-G egg replacer, whole wheat pastry flour instead of a mixture of all purpose and whole wheat flour, Splenda instead of sugar, and another half banana to replace the butter. My Dad and brothers who are very picky junk food eaters loved the bread and devoured it without realizing the lack of fat and extra calories.<br />
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You can also use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or mayonnaise on sandwiches, potatoes, and tacos. Or you can just eat it plain as part of your meal (or a super healthy snack). <br />
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Have you ever tried Greek yogurt? If so what's your favorite brand?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05230467671457505995noreply@blogger.com1