Just a little something to show you how EASY eating healthy really is!

Okay, so most of us look for a complete meal when we're trying to build our dinner for the night... that's something that contains your protein, your veggies/fruits, your grains and maybe even a few healthy fruits.

Some believe this is hard to do, but really, it is so, so simple.

Here is what I had for lunch to give you an example!

Now, you have your flat, whole grain bagel. This is super healthy and much easier to eat than an un-flat bagel ;) This bagel has one slice of provalone (dairy), half an avacado (veggie and healthy fat), and 4-6 slices of turkey (protein!) The sandwich alone would stand as a great, healthy lunch but, for me, it's just not filling enough. So, I added the second half of my avacado and a mandarin orange (fruit!!) So, there, it's just THAT simple. There is my complete lunch, which not only makes me feel great inside but I feel proud after I eat it because I've treated my body well.

Also, all of these things are relatively cheap, especially if you just keep them around the house for meals like this.

Simplicity is sometimes the best way to start.

Also, you could add many variations to the fruits, veggies, whole grains and lunch meats. Just make sure you try to stay away from extra sodium and sugar, it's always best to add your own so you know exactly how much is in there!

My New Favorite Life-Changing Book (Thanks Grant!!)

I just had a 23rd birthday. Though not the most exciting age to turn, I was blessed to be surrounded by my family and shown so much love. I spent the day time with the Sims family and the night time with the Foster family, both of my favorite families ;) Through the festivities I received some nice gifts but none as awesome as the one I received from my awesome boyfriend who knows me all too well. He knows I'm trying to eat and cook healthier for myself and for him so he gave me an amazing book, Food Rules. This is a very short, simple book that contains 64 food rules that you could live without but will most likely help you live a lot longer and healthier.

Two Obsessions

Here are two vegetables I am obsessed with. One new, one old.

eatlaughplay.com

First of all, kale. Kale is a delicious, super, super healthy leafy green. Not only is it packed with potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C but it also pairs well with lots of things or can be eaten alone. Another bonus is that it is in season in the winter and early spring, so buying it now gives you the best benefits and taste. Along with the awesome vitamins that this super vegetable provides, it's also low in calories, high in fiber, and really great for your health. It's health benefits include lowering cholesterol, heart healthy, and could even help with cancer prevention.

The easiest way to make kale is to simply steam it. Like spinach, it reduces down a ton so you can add a lot to your pan and it reduces to practically nothing. Steaming kale will help retain a lot of the nutrients and it's just a very simple cooking method. I for one don't really like eating plain, steamed leafy greens like kale or spinach SO I steamed the kale then added it to some orzo with a couple other ingredients (I'll add the recipe). Using kale this way made a VERY delicious meal.

So, next time you think about making rice, a pilaf, or even just want a nice leafy green side dish. Consider kale. It's delicious, earthy flavor will definitely leave you wanting more and wondering what else you could add it to!

krissa.org

 Now, secondly... butternut squash.... is by far one of my most favorite vegetables on this planet. I love winter squash, I believe it is God's gift to earth. The orange, earthy, slightly sweet vegetable is something I crave year round but this winter I have been keeping in the house a lot. I've made two delicious recipes that I will share later that are to... die... for.

This vegetable is very starchy so it can be used almost like potatoes... though they are much better in so many ways than potatoes. I've made casseroles, soups, and other side dishes using butternut squash and the texture is very similar to a potato. Unlike a potato, these vibrant orange gourds are packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Also like a potato, they are a good source of fiber. Butternut squash can also easily steam like other starchy vegetables. It's even really delicious cubed, steamed, lightly buttered, and served. But the more you experiment with this vegetable, the better it will get. Yet another promise I can make!

Therefore, why not next time you're thinking you'd liked mashed potatoes, make some type of winter squash casserole. Or next time you want to make soup, replace the potatoes with butternut squash, like in minestrone or vegetable soup. Remember how important it is to buy veggies in season. Not only will this be helpful nutritionally but the taste will be much better.

I hope you try to introduce at least one of these into your diet. They are in season so they will be delicious, I promise. Plus, there are so many ways you can incorporate them into your meals without even noticing that you are trying a new, foreign vegetable.

Test out one or two of the following recipes from my blog to see if you like the new vegetables as much as I do:

• Fall/Winter Minestrone Soup
• Orzo with Kale
• Butternut Squash Bake
• Butternut Squash Risotto

Hey Lova's!! Happy Valentines :)

I, for one, expected today to be just another so, so day. Grant's out of town all week so I knew I'd have some me time on Valentines Day, plus we've never really "celebrated" this "holiday" anyway. This afternoon however, I was surprised by a knock at the door and a vase FULL of beautiful, bright flowers... not to mention the most loving note I've received in a long time. Not only did Grant completely make my day but goodness does he have good taste! Needless to say, my day was (has been) made!! Oh and did I mention that this boy makes me incredibly happy?

Also needless to say, that impromptu gift from my far away love put a pep in my step. So, I decided to give my Butternut Squash Risotta another try. Since I'll be alone all week, I thought I'd make enough to last the whole week. This way I wouldn't convince myself it's okay to eat out all week since I'm only cooking for one.

Now, I've attempted this before and it was disastrous. Really, I didn't have the patience. Tonight I tried again and it was absolutely one of my favorite meals yet. Making this meal is also a COMPLETE workout. It involves constant stirring and moving the rice around. That is a huge, huge benefit of cooking your own meals... it makes you do work but while having fun! Remember that next time you think you'd rather have a 500 calorie burger with 500 calories fries that not only can you control the amount of salt, fat, and all the other goodies you add to your home made meal, but you are also relaxing your mind and keeping yourself active. This is probably one of the biggest reasons I love cooking so much... It is my therapy.

So, either make this for your valentine or, if you are valentineless, enjoy some YOU time and ease your mind, work those muscles and enjoy this rich, creamy, delicious meal.

Butternut Squash Risotta
(coming soon)

The BEST Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Not only am I obsessed with this delicious side dish but it is so easy and so healthy! With only 89 calories per serving, you definitely won't feel guilty making these fries for your next family meal.

Sweet Potato Fries
Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 Sweet Potatoes
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Salt

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 425 F.

Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick finger-shaped pieces. Toss the cut sweet potatoes in a bowl with the rest of your ingredients.

Once each fry is coated with the ingredients, spread them on a baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes, stirring the fries every 10 minutes to avoid burning.

Remove and sprinkle with a little additional salt for extra flavor and serve!

No Nut Banana Bread with Streusel Topping

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loooooved banana bread. My mom made it a lot and I always ate it very quickly. Grant seems to share this same passion with me so I've made it twice in what seems to be about the last month. However, not being a fan of the nuttiness and more of a fan of the banana-ieness, I remove the nuts from the recipes I use. Hope you enjoy!!---And, please, add nuts if you wish :):)

Oh, and the streusel topping is simple and delicious! And could also be avoided if you want this recipe to be healthier...

No Nut Banana Bread:
Makes 1 loaf (16 slices)

Ingredients:
2 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
4 medium bananas (preferably very ripe)
1 c granulated sugar
1/2 c butter, melted

Directions:
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and set aside.

Next add the beaten eggs into a medium bowl with the mashed bananas, sugar and better. Combine until mixed then transfer all at once to the dry mixture.

Just combine all of the ingredients, the mixture should remain very lumpy.

Just combine until it looks like this!

((((Insert Streusel Topping here if desired---see below))))

Pour into your greased pan and bake for 55 minutes.

I know, I know... I need loaf pans...

Let cook on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan to serve.


Streusel Topping:
Covers one loaf of banana bread.

Ingredients:
1/4 c brown sugar
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter

Directions:
Mix together brown sugar and flour then cut in butter with a pastry cutter.

When crumbly, evenly distribute the mix on top of banana bread batter before placing it in the oven.

NUTRITION:

Banana Bread (1 slice):
175 calories, 6 grams fat (mostly saturated), 42 mg cholesterol, 28 grams carbs, 2.5 grams protein, 16 grams sugar.

Streusel Topping (nutrition added per slice):
If you add the streusel topping, it will add 31 calories to each slice along with about 1 gram more saturated fat. Nothing else is really significantly different.

Most Simple Party Dip

This dip is perfect for tailgates, parties, and especially football-watching parties. I made it last night for the Eagles v. Packers game and it was a huge hit. Making this would be a great idea for either the BCS National Championship game today or for the Super Bowl in February. I stole it from my boyfriends aunt without her knowing so let's hope I don't get it trouble for thieving someones recipe!!

Nutrition.... I may as well just keep away from that topic because this IS tailgate food, which is NEVER good for you... so, I used low fat everything and tried to be a little bit better but really, I just sucked it up.

The recipe is so, so simple. It's made in a crock pot but it could be made in the oven or maybe even the microwave also!

Simple Cream Cheese and Sausage Dip
Makes 7.5 cups

Ingredients:
3 packages of low fat cream cheese
12 oz. of breakfast sausage
3/4 can of Original Rotel
3/4 can of Hot Rotel

Directions:
Brown and drain the sausage and set aside.

Next, cut the cream cheese into cubes and add it to the crock pot.

Add in sausage and both Rotels with the juice. Set on high for about and hour, stirring occasionally.

Lower the crock pot temperature to low/warm and serve!