Sweet Potato Obsession

I have always loved sweet potatoes, but I never realized how much I loved them until I was able to spit out four to five different recipes that I loved without even thinking twice.  I eat sweet potatoes year round, but they are especially good when fall and cooler weather begins (not that we are experiencing that in Florida yet.)  I wanted to share two of my favorite recipes that have become staples in our home; they are SO easy and delicious!
 
SWEET POTATO ROUNDS:
This summer I found that one sweet potato peeled and sliced into thin circles was the perfect amount to complement chicken or fish on the grill.  There are 2 ways to prepare them-- sweet or savory. 

• Sweet: Lightly coat sweet potatoes in coconut oil and sprinkle cinnamon on top.   
• Savory: Lightly coat sweet potatoes in extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle freshly chopped rosemary and sea salt on top.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spread out sweet potatoes on a cookie sheet and place in oven for 20-40 minutes depending on thickness.  Turn sweet potatoes 1 or 2 times while cooking.  I think they are best when the edges are a little crispy and the middles are soft.  

MEXICAN SWEET POTATOES:
You are probably thinking that Mexican food and sweet potatoes don't belong in the same sentence, but if you try this recipe you will soon realize that you are very, very wrong.  I make this recipe at least once a month(sometimes more) because it is easy, filling, healthy and husband approved.  This recipe is from the Citron Limette Blog, but I make one change and add ground turkey. 

{Image via Citron Limette Blog}

Ingredients:

• 4 Sweet potatoes
• 3/4 - 1lb ground turkey
• Cooking spray
• 1 small chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans (such as Eden Organic), rinsed and drained
• 1½ cups frozen whole-kernel corn
• 1½ cups fresh salsa
• ¼ cup (1 ounce) reduced-fat shredded cheddar-Jack cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. I prefer to bake my sweet potatoes in the oven but for a faster option you can use the microwave...Pierce potatoes with a fork; arrange in a circle on paper towels in microwave oven. Microwave at HIGH 10 minutes, turning and rearranging potatoes after 5 minutes.
2. While potatoes cook, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add ground turkey, onion and next 3 ingredients; sauté until meat is cooked. Reduce heat to low. Add beans, corn, and salsa; cook 4 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
3. Split potatoes lengthwise, cutting to, but not through, other side. Fluff with a fork. Spoon about 1 cup bean mixture over each potato. Top each serving evenly with cheese and cilantro.

Going Green With Chlorophyll

I hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day enjoying our freedom.  Thank you to everyone who has served or is serving, so that we can live in this wonderful country!  Yesterday was the first time in a LONG time that I have done absolutely nothing around our house or at the Antique Market, and it was so nice.  I have been feeling a little worn down and it was great to have a day to just relax and rejuvinate.

For a while I have been meaning to share some health tips, tricks and recipes with you.  There is so much I have learned over the past 2 1/2 years durning my mom's battle with cancer.  As most of you know she has chosen to do things wholistically, which has resulted in a drastic lifestyle change for my family.  I am not an extreme health nut, but my diet and daily regimine are drastically different than the average American.  The first thing I thought I would share with you is Liquid Chlorophyll.  At first I wasn't sure of whether or not I would like the minty taste, but it is so subtle and I crave the chlorphyll in the mornings.  It is something that is so easy to add into your regimen and has so many health benefits.  I began drinking this daily at the recommendation of my herbalist...yes I go to an herbalist and she is AMAZING.  (more on that later.)

Here are the benefits and how it works from Nature's Sunshine (the company I order from).

Benefits:

• Helps promote the natural blood-cleansing functions of the body.
• Strengthens cells.
• Promotes a strong immune response.
• Supports the intestinal system.
• Deodorizes the body, including the bowel.

How It Works:

Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that harnesses the sun’s energy in photosynthesis. The chlorophyll molecule is chemically similar to human blood, except that its central atom is magnesium, whereas that of human blood is iron. It performs metabolic functions in plants such as respiration and growth.

Chlorophyll supports the natural blood-cleansing process. It is known to help cleanse the body and maintain the action of the circulatory, intestinal and female reproductive systems. Chlorophyll helps protect and support healthy cells and promotes the elimination of toxins from the body. In addition, chlorophyll helps neutralize normal body odors and acts as a natural, “internal” deodorant. It can also be useful in external applications and as a freshening gargle. Liquid Chlorophyll may help improve immune response.

I also found this website that explains it more in depth.

*My one disclaimer:  people are going to look at you weird and you will often get asked, "What is that green stuff?" ;)

   

I'm In Love With...

THE FRESH20!

Have you ever heard of it?  I hadn't either until a week ago.  I read about it on The Nest the Laws Built and I bought the subscription the following day.

About the Fresh20...

"We are a meal planning service.  Our meal plans rely on simple, healthy and homemade dinners using just 20 fresh, seasonal ingredients per week.  No more grocery lists with 80 items that will eventually go to waste.  Our meal plans are carefully created to utilize everything on the list so you can stop throwing money down the drain. We don’t just grab 5 random recipes and call it a meal plan.  The Fresh 20 mixes and matches a small list of ingredients to create 5 balanced dinners that play off each other.We include detailed guides to meal prep, original recipes everyone will enjoy (even picky eaters) and motivation to help you stay the course on busy weeknights." 

Let me tell you that it is as good as it sounds.  I know how to eat healthy and put together a meal plan, but to be honest life is busy & I rarely take the time to do it.  I am left feeling frustrated at how much food goes to waste, not knowing what to make for dinner because I didn't plan ahead, and unhealthy from the junk food I end up eating.  Not to mention I go to the grocery store and spend a bunch of money and come home with only one or two meals.  

(my first meal)

It has not even been an entire week and I am thrilled about the Fresh20.  The meals are all fresh and very flavorful!  I am on the classic program, but they offer menu subscriptions for vegetarian and gluten free.  If you are interested in subscribing it is regularly $50/a year, but Groupon is having a special for $25/year).

I am determined to focus on what matters in 2013, and subscribing to the Fresh20 is my first step towards doing that.  

*All of the content in this post is my personal opinion.  I was not compensated or asked to write this.

Juicing

I have a confession...I am addicted to juicing.  I don't do caffeine well, and while we were working on our home the past few months I discovered a juice bar down the street called Pulp.  I began by drinking their carrot & orange juice, which is delicious.  It was a great place to start and acquire a taste for pure juice with no added sugars, syrups, etc.  I then tried their "green energy" and it is my absolute favorite!

{green energy}

I began craving it all the time and I realized that spending $6.50 several times a week was unrealistic.  I had been gifted a Jack Lalane juicer  by my mother in-law and I decided to try and make the "green energy" at home.  I knew that it was made up of kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, green apple, lemon & ginger.  At first I was worried about how much of each I should use, but I quickly realized that the apple and lemon disguise the taste of the other veggies.  You can add as little or as much of each veggie or fruit as you would like as long as you have those two.

{a few of the ingredients}

Here are some tips to making your own:
     1. Wash all fruit & veggies (preferably organic or bought at a farmers market)
     2. Juice...

• 3-4 leaves of Kale
• 2-4 handfuls of spinach
• 2-3 stalks of celery
• 1/2 - 1 whole cucumber (no need to peel if you have a good juicer)
• 1/2 - 1 whole green apple (no need to peel if you have a good juicer)
• 1/2 lemon (peel lemon first & then juice)
• Cut a SMALL sliver of ginger and place in juicer (this step can be omitted)

     3.  Stir & Enjoy! 

Like I mentioned earlier there is no perfect concoction, so don't be intimidated.  If heathy eating is new to you, then juicing is an easy place to start.  Head over to Wholefoods or a local juice bar and try a few.  I love juicing, because I know that I am filling my body with real food & good nutrients.  I can say that I truly feel a difference when I juice.  I have more energy and a clearer mind.

Do you have any juice recipes that you love?  I would love to hear them!

{Edamame Goodness :: A Healthy Snack}

This past weekend we visited my brother Greg, who is a collegiate golfer at Furman University {quite possibly one of the most beautiful colleges}.  While there we attended a dinner hosted by one of the golfers families, and there was the most amazing appetizer.  It was so healthy, fresh and light.  Several of us begged the hostess for the recipe, and it was the first thing I made when I returned home.  It stays really well, so you can make a batch and eat it throughout the week.  I hope you love it as much as I do...

{Edamame Goodness}

-1 Bag of shelled edamame {I found mine in the frozen section}

-1 Can of white shoepeg corn {I bought a big bag of frozen corn & used 1 cup...cheaper & healthier}

-1 Can of black beans {Make sure you rinse these}

-1 Can of garbanzo beans/chick peas {rinse also}

-7-10 Small sweet peppers 

-Juice of 3/4 of a lime

-1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil 

-Garlic powder & kosher salt to taste

Enjoy it with some crackers, tortilla chips, or on a tortilla with some melted cheese...delicious & healthy.

Have a wonderful day!

JuliAnne