Healthy Eating for Bottomless Pits

My husband and I can put down some serious food.  We both have a legit illness which I refer to as "constant hungriness."  Anyone else afflicted?
I love a good, thick, creamy stew on a cold January night--who doesn't?!   Yesterday, I set out to create the same rich satisfaction without all of the fat and calories.
I started out by searing some chicken breast in olive oil. When it was golden, I removed the chicken from the pot and added in a ton of veggies-onions, carrots, celery, cubed potatoes, and garlic--cooking them until they just started to soften. Next, I added raw quinoa and allowed it to toast for about a minute before deglazing the pan with some red wine and diced tomatoes and allowing it to evaporate for a few minutes. I then added chicken stock and bay leaf and put the chicken breast back into the pot.

I allowed this mixture to simmer just long enough for the chicken to cook through, for the vegetables to soften and for the quinoa to become tender.  I then removed the chicken, shredded it, and added it back to the stew.

My next challenge was to create a rich thickness without having to use butter, flour, or cream.  My trick is to puree a can of cannellini beans into a paste and stir it into the hot stew.  It really does create a nice creaminess without added fat or calories!

At this point, I seasoned the stew with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.

 

Finally, I added fresh spinach in at the very end for some greens.

For some added creaminess and tang, I topped the stew with fat free Greek yogurt.  It was seriously delicious, so healthy, and very satisfying.

I hope some of you can use these tips toward living a healthier lifestyle!

 

So, Cauliflower Pizza Crust Actually Doesn't Suck.

Seriously, it's good! In our attempt to get super svelte and sexy in the next 36 days before our Mexico trip, Scott and I have been trying to eat ridiculously healthy.  Excluding alcohol, we're being really good!  Because, honestly, did you really expect me to stop drinking wine?  I'd actually prefer to carry a few extra lbs. Tonight, I attempted this new trend of using cauliflower in place of flour to make a pizza crust.  I was understandably skeptical and pleasantly surprised!

I started with a head of cauliflower, which I chopped and minced in a food processor until it basically resembled rice.

I then cooked the cauliflower in boiling water for about 3 minutes, strained it in a fine-mesh sieve, and allowed it to cool for a few minutes.

Next, I placed the cauliflower in a large kitchen towel, twisting the towel to squeeze out extra moisture from the cauliflower--there's kind of a lot.  The key to getting a crispy crust is to get rid of as much of the excess water as possible.

Next, I mixed the cauliflower with one egg, about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese (I used mozzarella), and choice of seasonings (I used a mixture of salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme).

I then formed the dough into a rectangle or disk on a parchment lined pan and baked it at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the crust.

This is how the crust looked after the initial bake.

Then I just topped the crust with my favorite goodies--I used basil pesto, mozzarella cheese, and assorted veggies, and baked it for another 5 or 10 minutes.  Just until the cheese melted and the veggies softened. It was seriously delicious, and obviously WAY healthier than your average pizza.  Give it a try! This recipe made just enough for two of us.  I would recommend doubling the recipe if you're particularily hungry/want to have some leftovers.     Also, I just need one sec for a little bit of bragging.  Forgive me. I was contacted by the editor of the magazine I've done some writing for today with some really exciting news.  THIS ARTICLE, which I was given the amazing opportunity to write, was the most-viewed online article of 2012 for Women's Lifestyle Magazine.  For a young business woman trying to make her way in the world, this was amazing news :)

So...about that whole diet thing..

What kind of an idiot starts a diet RIGHT before the holidays?  Well, apparently this idiot does. The bad news; I have lost no additional weight.  The good news; I have not gained any either.  Frankly, I feel like I sort of deserve a small pat on the back for that small success, considering the amount of amazing food and adult beverages I've been surrounded by in these past few weeks.
Somewhere in the midst of my gluttony, I have found some time for a few healthy recipes.  As per usual, I've remembered to photograph about 2 of them.  

 

This was a mixture of shredded chicken, quinoa, lots of veggies, Greek yogurt, and a little shredded cheese stuffed in red pepper halves and baked.  So healthy, and so good!

I started to get a little bored with my Greek yogurt breakfast shake, so I switched over to organic oatmeal with soy milk, honey, fresh fruit, and cinnamon.
I'll leave you with the few New Years photos I got around to taking..

Good looking crowd.

 

Trying really hard to ignore the shattered glass on the floor.

 

Annnd that's the best we could do.  Nice work, everybody.

A Meal by Meal Guide. Kind Of.

Forgive the lack of originality, but I LOVE Christmas.  Family, togetherness, presents, and of course, Baby Jesus!

At the beginning of our celebrations, I decided to attempt to photograph all of the meals we enjoyed.  I sort of failed, but I did remember enough times to rationalize a post dedicated to them.. 

These are just another perfect example of why Pinterest is so wonderful.  Devils food cookies stuffed with Rolos.

 

My mama's specialty--Coquilles St. Jacques.  It's basically scallops and mushrooms with white wine, cream and cheese.  It's ridiculous.

 

I was in charge of the main course and decided to go with a classic Coq au Vin.  It's a french chicken dish cooked down with veggies, herbs, and red wine.  So comforting and tasty!

 

I served the Coq au Vin over garlic whipped yellow potatoes and with green beans.

 

A couple appetizers we had were my pumpkin, sausage, and cheese stuffed mushrooms and my dad's meat and cheese stuffed jalapenos.  Apparently we like our foods stuffed in my family.

 

For Christmas dinner, I marinated a round steak overnight in soy sauce, sesame oil, hoison, ginger, and a few other goodies.

 

 

We grilled the steak and made a spicy brown rice and veggie stir fry as side dishes--so delicious!

What's your favorite dish/holiday tradition?!

MORE Exciting Than Christmas!

GREAT news.  My husband and I have officially booked a mid-winter trip to Mexico!

Come February, we'll be enjoying the all inclusive life here:

 
   

If you could die of excitement, I think I might.

That being said, this calls for an 8-week diet and exercise program!  Boo.

My goal is to get to my wedding weight, which was only 7 pounds ago.  

Yeah, this thin-armed chick.  I miss her.

I know it doesn't seem like much, but A) I have limited time and B) I carry 7 lbs pretty obviously...

So far, I'm 3 days in and have worked out every day.  Good start, right?

I'm also focusing really closely on my diet.  Generally, I eat pretty healthy, but I'm trying to get SERIOUS about it.

I've been starting with my amaze Greek yogurt and fresh fruit breakfast shake.  

For lunch, I try to keep it high-protein and low cal.  This was today's creation.  I even subbed out the mayo in the chicken salad with Greek yogurt.  It's fat free, high-protein, and I promise you don't miss the extra calories!

Finally, I'm letting my love for list-making take over and am planning out dinners in advance for the next 8 weeks, which means my husband gets to go on a forced diet!

I have also taken before photos, which I have no intention of posting unless my after pictures are just that impressive.  But don't count on it :) 

Just dropping in..

To make sure you all know about this AMAZING giveaway!

www.pinkonthecheek.com

Check it out!

Wedded Bliss Wednesdays

 

If money were not an object, what would you buy your husband for Christmas this year?

There are so many things I wish I could get for him.  He's really not materialistic at all, so everything he "wants" are actually really necessary.  I think I'd get him a new car for sure.  He's driving my old SUV that I drove in high school just so I could drive our newer car.  Seriously the sweetest man in the world.

  I'm leaning towards these:

2013 Ford Explorer

2013 Ford Edge

 

And if money seriously wasn't an object..this one :)

And, of course, I'd love to take him to Italy!

Food Blogging Fail

Let me start this out with a very sad story.  Okay, not that sad, just SUPER obnoxious.

I taught a cooking class last week.  It was awesome.  My mom was my sous chef, we made olive tapenade, sweet onion tart, brie and caramelized onion beef sliders, orange scented chocolate mousse, and spice cake and cream cheese cake pops.

And, let me tell you, we took a whole bunch of pictures.  But, guess what?!  LOST MY CAMERA.  I don't have the slightest clue where the damn thing is, but the awesome food-filled post I had planned has gone to..well, you know where.

So I'm hoping it'll turn up and I'll be able to at least share some of the fun pictures from that night.

I did make some lemon-blueberry cupcakes for Women's Lifestyle Magazine's holiday party, planned by my moms.

(Photos by Two Eagles Marcus)

Also, I had my first cavity filled this morning.  I was nervous!  I'm not super freaked out by needles/pain (3 tattoos..), but I do have a fear of the unknown.  So I was "that girl" acting like a 12 year old having the dentist (who by the way, is SO attractive.  It wasn't just the numbness making me drool..) verbally talk me through every move he made.

It was a piece of cake.  However, being the genius that I am, I decided to run an errand to  Hobby Lobby in all of my numb-tongued, word-slurring glory.  Not my finest hour.

BUT, I'm in the middle of a crafty phase and made this gem while waiting for the Novocaine to wear off.

I know, I'm obsessed with my dog.  I mean, I'm no artist, but I think it turned out kind of cute in a homemade sort of way, right?

Wedded Bliss Style

What is your husband's style?

I just asked my husband what to say in response to this question, and his response was "Just say I don't have any."  I didn't say it!

When Scott and I started dating, I was a bit concerned.  He picked me up for our first date wearing a multicolored striped polo buttoned ALL the way up, a beaded necklace, cargo shorts (those were fine), and those weird looking brown man sandals that hook in the back of the ankel.  Bad.  And, yes, I still remember over 5 years later.

Since then, he's taken my advice in the fashion department..for the most part.  He now knows that sweatpants are not acceptable for holiday gatherings, that you should not wear a Budweiser T-shirt to the office, even if there is no dress code, etc. 

So, basically, his style is what I ask him to wear.  Again--he'll say the same thing!  I'm seriously not that much of a controlling bitch.

Jeans/shorts and a t-shirt is his every day wear.  He'll throw in a polo or a button down when he's feeling extra fancy.

What is your LEAST favorite piece(s) of his wardrobe? 

Don't even get me started on this one..

What would you love for your man to wear?

Dark wash, fitted jeans (I just bought him some and he claims he'll wear them...we'll see)

Something other than tennis shoes

Non-Cosby sweaters (He gets too hot)

Well-tailored suits

Those are my top four..

BUT I love him for who he is. I also love how much of an effort he makes for me, because let's be honest, he could literally care less.

Sunday Social and T-Gives Update

It's been awhile since I've linked up for Sunday Social, so I thought I'd jump back in this week!

1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life: Waitress, Prep Chef, Corporate Chef, Personal Chef/Caterer.  Apparently I like food?

2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over: Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, any Harry Potter, and Pride and Prejudice.  So many more than that!

3. Name 4 places you have lived: Grand Rapids, Dewitt, East Lansing, and Long Island.

4. Name 4 of your favorite foods: Scallops, Pasta, anything Thai, and Pizza.

5. Name 4 things you always carry with you: iPhone, Chapstick, Wallet, and Gum.

 6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation: My top 4 are Paris, Austria, Maui, and New York.

 Forgive the photo dump, but I wanted to give you an update on my Holiday weekend!  Enjoy :)

 

Made this yummy sweet onion tart with goat cheese.

Made my first apple pie of the season.

 

Ate some awesome food--thanks Mom!

Went to visit my honey at the tree farm (his 10th year working there on weekends!)  Bella loved it.

Bella was kind of over the photos at this point..

Went out with some friends.

Watched Home Alone, drank wine, and decorated.

 Not pictured--waking up in the middle of the night for my first Black Friday shopping experience with my sisters in law!  The whole morning was a blur, but I found it strangely enjoyable.

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was as wonderful as mine!