Portobello-Zucchini Tacos

These are so yummy and easy to make!  All you have to do is slice up a few large portobello mushrooms and a zucchini.  I threw in some onion and bell pepper to the stir fry as well! Add in some seasonings and some cayenne pepper for a little extra spice. Top the finished product with your favorite extras, such as tomato, salsa, guacamole, etc.  *I also like to use spinach instead of iceberg lettuce (gives you the nice crunch with the added nutrients of spinach).  Also, try using a romaine lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla. Hope you guys enjoy these as much as I do! Cheers and Happy Friday!!

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FOOD.

The U.S Food Administration really knew what they were talking about in1917!  LIKE this post if you agree….

Food vs. Pharmacy

Is this illustration something that you guys have noticed? 

I know I have!!  Choose healthy foods to prevent ending up like the left side of this cartoon!

 

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Pizza has always been one of my weaknesses, thus I am constantly trying to find ways to make it more healthy!  I don’t know about you guys, but I always feel pretty yucky after eating all those carbs from the crust!  This pizza crust recipe is low-carb and gluten free! I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of this! Now if only I could substitute the cheese for something else….

CAULIFLOWER-CRUST PIZZA RECIPE:

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  35 mins

Total time:  50 mins

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 head cauliflower (about 2 cups riced)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400° F.
2. Prep a cookie sheet or pizza stone. You can grease the cookie sheet or use parchment paper. I would highly recommend using a pizza stone or parchment paper as it tends to stick to pans.
3. Remove the stems and leaves from your cauliflower and chop the florets into chunks. Add to a food processor or blender and pulse just until the texture is similar to rice. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower with a cheese grater or chop it.
4. Sauté cauliflower “rice” in a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook until translucent, approximately 6-8 minutes.
5. In a bowl combine the cooked cauliflower with all remaining ingredients.
6. Spread dough out evenly over parchment paper (or stone) – about 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch thick. The pizza should be about 9-10 inches in diameter.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden, crispy on the edges and cooked through the middle.
8. Remove the crust from the oven.
9. Top with pizza sauce and toppings. Be careful not to add too many heavy toppings as you don’t want to weigh down the crust.
10. Broil the pizza for 5 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted. Allow the pizza to cool for 2-3 minutes then cut and serve immediately.

Hope  you enjoy!

The TRUE meaning of FOOD.

According to the dictionary, food is defined as “any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, and promote growth.”

I believe we, as a culture, have forgotten the meaning of food and its importance.  Food has the power to prevent illness, evoke emotion, unite people together, and put a smile on our face. Most importantly, the right foods can allow us to live a long and happy life.  The food we eat should nourish our bodies and our lives.  As a dietitian, I want to help people rediscover the meaning of healthy food and themselves.

Today I want you to ask yourself “Is this FOOD I’m about to eat going to nourish my body?”   You might be surprised to find that the food you’re eating is not REAL food and is only providing you with empty calories. Always strive to NOURISH your body through your food, exercise, and your mind.

What does food mean to you and how do you stay nourished?

Taste the Rainbow!

Always strive to get every color of the rainbow at each meal. Phytochemicals typically differ based on the color of the fruits and vegetables that you’re eating, thus consuming each color will greatly benefit your health!

Healthy and Happy Friday!

Quote of the Day: Emerson

Is your health your FIRST priority?

Demand to know what’s in your FOOD!

“FOOD”

Here’s a little sarcasm to jump start your day 🙂

Indulge Without The Bulge This Holiday Season

I posted this before Christmas last year, but I find it very fitting to give it a re-post! Hope you get some helpful tips for the holidays! Cheers!

While the holidays are a time for family and friends, we all know that food seems to be the key ingredient to every celebration! The average person gains five to ten pounds during this time of the year. I know you don’t want to end up with a Santa belly,  so here are some simple tips to help you indulge without the bulge:

1) EXERCISE. Even taking 30 minutes out of your day to go on a quick walk will work wonders! Get family and friends involved and exercising will turn into some quality time with them (gotta love that QT)! I know you’ve been scrambling to find those last minute gifts and making sure everything is perfect before the guests arrive, so exercising is exactly what you  need! Exercising will help you escape from all of that stress and make you feel like a new person!

2) Drink a GREEN smoothie or juice BEFORE. I am a huge advocate of this! Anytime I know I’m going to a dinner party or out to eat with friends (somewhere I might be tempted to eat something super unhealthy) I drink a green smoothie or juice before I go! It fills me up enough so I won’t be ravishing the menu when I get there, yet still leaves me with the right amount of hunger to choose the healthy option. If you go to a dinner party on an empty stomach, it becomes inevitable that you will make unhealthy eating choices.

3) Bring a healthy dish or two. Make a huge spinach salad with lots of yummy veggies, fruit kabobs, or a healthy dessert option that can fill your plate without the guilt. Making your own dish is great because who knows how much butter your Paula Deen of a relative put in that green bean casserole

4) You don’t have to clean your plate. I know our moms have all taught us to do the opposite of this, but eat until you feel satisfied instead of stuffed! Feeling full, yucky, and tired is the last way you wanna feel during this cheery time of the year!

5) Don’t be THAT girl/guy. Don’t be the one that gets too drunk at the party. Not only will you steer clear of being on YouTube the next day, but you’ll also steer clear of late night drunk eating! We all know alcohol lowers our inhibitions which makes us not give two cents if we eat half a pepperoni pizza at 2 am. So stay classy with your alcohol consumption… your ego and your waistline will thank you later

6) Stand up for yourself!  We all have that one persistent family member that will push that piece of pound cake on you a million times before the night is over. Like we learned in elementary school.. just say no! Don’ t be “bullied” into eating foods you know you shouldn’t eat! Also, don’t let the unhealthy left-overs be pawned off on you or your family..that’s just  more temptation that you don’t need!

7) Enjoy yourself!  It’s the holidays for pete’s sake, so enjoy yourself! Don’t let food choices consume your thoughts when you should be enjoying time with family and friends! Be mindful of your choices instead of obsessive! Pick a few of your feast favorites, and place a small golf ball amount of it on your plate! All you need is a taste to satiate your tooth for those not so healthy options without the guilt that comes along with them. Enjoy the real meaning of Christmas instead of just the food!

I’d also like to end this post by expressing my sympathies for the families of Newtown, CT. We should all be praying for them. What will it take to eradicate evil and guns from this country?

Life is precious and a Happy HEALTHY holidays to you all!

With love & peace,

Samantha