Since I
started my Facebook page, every month from the 1st to the 7th,
I have some sort of a health or fitness challenge.
For
Sept, the health challenge was to make one new, healthy recipe each
day. I did this challenge because not only do I want people to start
experimenting with making food healthier, but also because I had ‘pinned’ a lot
of healthy recipes myself I had yet to try!
I made
this because I had heard good reviews and I also ran out of jam a while back
and didn’t want to buy any before trying this first.
It truly
was super easy; just add your ingredients to a blender, blend, put in jar and
in the fridge overnight to thicken. Oh, I couldn’t find any rhubarb, so I just
used 2 cups of strawberries. Results: YUM!! I don’t think I’ll be buying jam
anytime soon, because this is so good, and I want to experiment with different
fruit as well. My mouth is already watering, just thinking about it!!
I made
this because it was a hot day – and come on, it was a holiday long weekend, so
nothing better than a nice cold treat! I was intrigued by the fact that it said
it tastes like a Wendy’s Frosty.
This was
another super easy recipe – just add all ingredients to a blend! Results: Good!
It did not taste like a Wendy’s Frosty, and the texture wasn’t the same either.
It was a little more slushy style than creamy frosty. Although it was nice and
chocolaty and tasted good, I couldn’t help but feel it needed a bit of
sweetness. I added a tablespoon of honey and blended again for a bit – even
better! Even though it doesn’t taste like a Wendy’s Frosty to me, it was still
delicious and a great summer time treat!! I will make this one again as well!
I made
this because my hubby has recently stopped eating most of my baked goods and
desserts…I’m not really sure why, but he just doesn’t really eat them anymore.
I have made mostly healthy versions of old favourites, or new healthy favourite
baked goods. One of his favourite dessert recipes is his mom’s banana cream
pie, it’s not healthy by any means, so I wanted to try a healthy version. I
just used my regular blender because I don’t have the juicer he suggests, and
boy, it took some hard work to get these bananas blended! At one point I
thought I would burn out the blender, but I think it’s still fine. I did add about
¼ cup of almond milk to make the blending easier, like he suggested. Results:
It was good, I just wouldn’t call it Banana Cream Pie, I would call it Banana
Ice Cream Pie because you have to keep it in the freezer, and that’s not what I
think of when I think of Banana Cream Pie. I was especially impressed by the
almond crust – very good! I will make it again, especially when I have
gluten/dairy free guests over!
I made
this because we go through a lot of salsa at our house…well, hubby does
anyways! It gets expensive, especially the brand that he likes, so I’ve been
wanting to make my own salsa for a long time.
This was
another easy recipe, we both don’t like chunky salsa, so I just threw it all
into my baby bullet (I love that thing!). This also saved me from having to
finely dice these ingredients!! I did only use one jalapeno pepper (seeds
removed) because I didn’t want it to be too spicy. Also, I only had regular
tomatoes, not Roma tomatoes. Results: It tasted great!! Hubby really likes it
too, the only issue, as you can see on the picture is that it did not really
look like salsa. Where was the redness?? I’m sure if I would have used the Roma
tomatoes, it would be much redder. I will make this again for sure – probably
many times, but next time I’ll use Roma tomatoes!!
Day 5 –
I made this Quinoa Porridge: http://myglutendairyfreelifewithkids.blogspot.ca/2013/09/porridge-i-fell-in-love-with-this.html
I made
this because I have been cooking with quinoa quite a bit lately and have seen a
few breakfast versions; I knew I had to try one. What a great way to start a
morning with a great protein like quinoa!
I made it according to directions, but I haven’t boiled milk in so long that I forgot how easily it boils over…let’s just say you need to stay close by when this is simmering, I had mine on low with the lid open a bit and it still boiled over a few times! I will remember for next time!! Results: It was great! I really liked it and am glad that I’ll have some leftover for tomorrow’s breakfast as well. I will make it again for sure!!
I made it according to directions, but I haven’t boiled milk in so long that I forgot how easily it boils over…let’s just say you need to stay close by when this is simmering, I had mine on low with the lid open a bit and it still boiled over a few times! I will remember for next time!! Results: It was great! I really liked it and am glad that I’ll have some leftover for tomorrow’s breakfast as well. I will make it again for sure!!
I made
this because I’m always looking for new side dishes and different ways to cook
veggies. I also added some sweet potato spears. On the recipe there are lots of
different options for spices. I used salt, pepper, thyme & Cajun spices.
Results: The flavor was good, but the veggies were soggy….it was a
disappointment and I will likely not make this again, or maybe next time I’ll
decrease the olive oil? Maybe that’ll make the difference?
Day 7 –
I made this Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal: http://pinterest.com/pin/252694229064931382/
I made
this because when hubby’s on day shift, he gets up around 5:30am and he really
doesn’t have time to make anything for breakfast. We’re both big breakfast
people, so skipping breakfast is not an option for either of us! I made the banana/peanut butter version first because he loves both of those a lot.
Results: Awesome!! He’s actually asked me to make them for him all the time
when he’s on day shift…YAY!! I did also make the almond/mango one the next time
and that wasn’t our favourite, I think because the almond extract is quite
strong! This is so healthy, easy and filling, so I would urge you all to try it
for an easy, on the go breakfast! Skip the sugary cereals!!!
So in
the end, I loved this challenge and I loved almost all the recipes I tried!! I
think the Salsa and Refrigerator Oatmeal will be made many times in this house
in the future…oh, and the jam too! Brielle and I both love the jam!!
Why not
try some new, healthy recipes yourself? You might be surprised at how delicious
some of these foods and recipes actually are J If you need some inspiration, check
out my “Clean Eating” board on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/1kat/clean-eating/
), I have lots of healthy recipes there and always add new ones!!
*Any suggestions as to what the Oct 1-7 health challenge should be??
