July 10, 2011

Where Did all the Veggies Go?

This morning I woke up and was instantly craving the same breakfast I had yesterday, which I didn't remember to post (woops!).



In the Mix:

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I used 1% Fraser Meadows - AMAZING!)
1 cup sliced strawberries
a handful of blueberries

5 Minute Granola:

1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp agave nectar
1/2 tbsp coconut oil

1. Preheat oven to 280 degrees (I used my toaster oven, which I strongly suggest for such a small batch)
2. Mix oats and cinnamon together
3. In separate bowl mix agave and coconut oil together
4. Mix wet and dry together
5. Spread onto parchment paper or tinfoil, put in toaster oven
6. Cook for 5 minutes

Let cool, sprinkle on top of anything your heart desires!

** if you use a regular oven cooking time may be longer (7-10 mins?) **


Right now, I'm completely obsessed with this breakfast.  I think about it as soon as I get up in the morning.  I think about it as soon as I finish breakfast.  I think about it until lunch.  I think about it after lunch.  I think about it...well you get the picture! I think about it all the time. It's that good.  I don't know why I didn't make a huge batch of this granola.  Actually, I do know why... it'd be gone by the end of the day :)  And there is something really nice about making a fresh batch of granola every morning. It makes our apartment smell amazing and it's something I really look forward to. I can't wait to have it again tomorrow, probably with apples :O I live life on the edge, people.


So...I forgot to bring my camera to work today, so I didn't get to take any pictures of my lunch.  I had a Food for Life (fav. brand of english muffins and wraps) cinnamon raison english muffin with 1 tbsp of unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter and 1 tbsp of apple butter (mmm....), and an apple on the side.  It wasn't very exciting but it was beyond yummy.  I love that combination.

Check out Food for Life's website for a list of ingredients: http://www.foodforlife.com.  You can pick these babies up at most health food stores, and are available in most grocery stores as well.  Just make sure you look in their organic frozen section.

Around 6:00 pm I decided to start dinner but wasn't sure what to make.  I knew it had to include veggies.  Lots of veggies.  I can't believe I didn't have any veggies for lunch.  Weird.  I knew I needed some veg power for dinner!

I started rummaging through the fridge looking for some produce that needed to be used up.  And what did I find lurking in the shadows? KALE! Oh delicious kale...how could I forget about you.  I love kale.  Well, that's not entirely true. I don't like raw kale.  Too tough and bitter for me.  Cooked kale is okay and baked kale chips are unbelievable. They are crunchy, satisfying, extremely healthy and they taste like chips.  It may sound crazy but it's true.  Don't take my word for it, try it yourself.

Now for a little schpeel on kale...

Kale is actually a cabbage and is considered the most nutritious vegetable in the world.  It has extremely powerful antioxidant properties and is considered to be anti-inflamitory.  It is also very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein and calcium.  

When chopped or minced especially, kale contains sulforaphane, a chemical, which is thought to have strong anti-cancer properties.  Boiling is said to decrease these properties, however, steaming, stir frying and microwaving do not result in this loss.  I'm not exactly sure why it contains sulforaphane with it is chopped or minced, but my guess is that this chemical is released when the leaves are cut.

Now, I know you all might be a little scared to try this vegetable and I don't blame you.  I was too.  It doesn't look very good and it smells kinda funky.  But these chips don't taste a thing like kale does in its raw form (which is a good thing); therefore, they are a great way to introduce you all to this wonderful superfood!

Salt 'n Vinegar Kale Chippers:

1 head of kale
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 - 1 tbsp oil of choice (I used safflower but I normally use extra virgin olive oil)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Wash and dry kale thoroughly (make sure you dry completely otherwise they won't turn out crispy)
3. Remove stems and veins (hard centre)
4. Rip into medium sized pieces
5. Massage oil and salt into kale and spread onto a cookie sheet
6. After 10 minutes move them around to ensure they don't stick and will crisp properly
7. Time for 10 more minutes until brown and crispy
8. Pour into bowl and drizzle with apple cider vinegar

You can munch on these tasty chips as a snack or as a side to your meal, like I did tonight.  They are a great way to get in your veggies (for all you veggie haters out there).


Raw kale on its way to the oven.


Fresh out of the oven.  Nice and crispy, just how I like em!  I also had an Amy's California Burger with a little slice of cheddar cheese and some sweet potato.



Ingredients : (Vegan) Organic mushrooms, organic onions, organic bulgar wheat, organic celery, organic carrots, organic oats, filtered water, organic walnuts, wheat gluten, organic potatoes, expeller pressed high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oil, sea salt, organic garlic. Contains tree nuts & wheat.

These burgers have 6 g of protein, 4 g fibre and are 95% organic. They are fantastic. I always make sure I have them in my freezer for a quick and easy meal.

For dessert tonight I had 2 frozen chocolate banana oatmeal cookies (wow, that's a mouthful). 


Now, don't these cookies look appetizing? No...you're right, they look like little turds.  But trust me, they are good. An awesome summer snack or dessert.

I can't remember the recipe for these bad boys right now because I made them about 2 weeks ago.  I will post it for ya in the next couple days.

Night,
Amy







1 comment: