7 Day Health Challenge - New Recipe Roundup!

Since I started my Facebook page, every month from the 1^st to the 7^th, 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!

Day 1 - I made this Strawberry Refrigerator Jam: http://pinterest.com/pin/252694229065278986/.

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!!

Day 2 - I made this Skinny Shake: http://pinterest.com/pin/252694229064871298/

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!

Day 3 – I made this Healthy Banana Cream Pie: http://pinterest.com/pin/252694229065124674/

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!

Day 4 – I made this Homemade Salsa: http://pinterest.com/pin/252694229064626288/

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!!

Day 6 – I made this baked Zucchini & Carrots: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/252694229064736619/

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??

Warm Quinoa with Chicken & Veggies

Yesterday, on my Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/StayingFitAtHomeAtWork ) I talked about quinoa and the health benefits of cooking with quinoa. Although I posted some recipes I found online, I was inspired today to create my own recipe for a quick, healthy lunch…it turned out pretty good, I must say :)

Warm Quinoa with Chicken & Veggies

1 box cooked quinoa, according to package directions (using low sodium chicken broth)

1 cooked, chopped chicken breast

½ red bell pepper, chopped

½ cucumber, chopped

½ tomato, chopped

1 green onion, chopped

¼ tsp garlic salt

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

While quinoa is cooking, chop & prepare all other ingredients. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl while quinoa is still warm and enjoy…even my 2 year old daughter liked it!!

1/2 chopped bell pepper

1/2 cucumber & half tomato, chopped

1 green onion, chopped, 1/4 tsp garlic powder & 2-3 tbsp olive oil

*I'm mad at myself for not taking a pic of the chopped chicken breast....as if you can't imagine what that looks like...LOL!!

**If you have any of your favourite quinoa recipes to share, please do so!!

Don't Over-Indulge At Restaurants

Arnold took me out for a special Birthday treat…my choice! I decided The Cheesecake Factory. I didn’t want cheesecake. I wanted those avocado rolls that I had there several years back. This pregnant lady was craving! Actually, I have wanted to go back there since the day I tasted them, we just never did.

We got there, I looked over the menu, front and back….2 or 3 times and they weren’t on there!! I asked the waitress, almost in a panic what had happened to their avocado rolls that used to be on the menu. She said she had worked there for quite a while and they hadn’t had them ever since she started …sigh!

I didn’t want to be rude and say we were leaving, because we were only there for the avocado rolls. Plus, I was hungry and good luck finding a place where you don’t have to wait for 20 minutes to get a table on a Saturday night.

We decided on their stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer to share. I wasn’t disappointed…OK, I wasn’t disappointed in the mushrooms, but I was still disappointed about the avocado rolls.

For my main course I ordered the grilled salmon with veggies & rice (I only ate half, the other half made it home for lunch the next day!). Dessert was their strawberry cream cheese crepes that we shared. Everything was delicious!!

So with all this delicious (mostly unhealthy) food starting at you from the menu, how do you make good choices?

*Order a small appetizer and share with your spouse

*Skip the drinks (yes, the soda too). I had water with lemon. Refreshing and no calories!

*If you’re going to have an appetizer and a dessert (like we did), make your main course a healthy one!

*Whatever your main course is, make sure you’re getting veggies as a side dish instead of fries or mashed potatoes, etc.

*Don’t eat your entire main course, save half to bring home for lunch the next day

*Share a small dessert with your spouse (we could have gone for their huge slice of cheesecake, but instead we choose the small crepes to share).

*If you go out often, skip the appetizer AND dessert, just go for a nice healthy main course (and if it's a big meal, eat only half and save the rest).

If you follow these tips, you get the best of both worlds. You don’t have to cook. You get to enjoy delicious food, but you’re not overdoing it! 

**Let me know if you have any other tips :)

Herbs

So this year I finally decided to grow my own container herb garden! I had been wanting to do it for several years, but honestly it kinda intimidated me...why? I don't know, but I guess I thought I'd mess it up somehow. I planted them at the end of March...even though it was a beautiful sunny day, notice the snow on the deck? LOL...that's Alberta for you!
I bought my pots for super cheap...the little coloured ones were 4/$1 at Value Village, and the bigger one was maybe about $2 at Canadian Tire. The only extra things I had to buy was the potting soil and the seeds, of course.

Arnold drilled holes in the bottom of the pots for me and I added a few rocks so the soil would drain properly.

My selection of herbs...I think lettuce is missing from this picture though.

It only took about 20 minutes total! I labeled the containers with a fine tip permanent marker so I wouldn't forget what's planted in which container.

These are my herbs today!! I water them every other day, and that seems to be enough, although the cilantro is looking a little yellow, and tasting a bit odd...so not sure if it could use more water? I have them inside mostly, right on the edge of the table by our sliding glass door, this is where they get lots of sun!
I'm excited to plant even more next year...I want to do tomatoes and peppers and blueberries in a container! I had no idea you could grow blueberries in containers until my sister told me about it...check the link out here for more info: http://www.pottedvegetablegarden.com/1/post/2012/05/how-to-grow-blueberries-in-a-container.html

Save Money, Eat Healthy...no coupons!

About 2 years ago I started couponing, and I saved quite a bit of money on groceries and household needs. For anyone who coupons regularly, you know how much time it takes. It’s literally a part time job.  First you have to find the coupons, then you have to request them (if they’re online) or print them, then cut them, then organize them (because you won’t be using them right away), then every week or every shopping trip you look through your flyers and match up the sales with the coupons you have on hand, this is how you find the best savings.

Since having Brielle, returning to work part time, getting pregnant again and starting to work from home, I just don’t have the time to coupon anymore. I’ve been thinking about hiring a teen to train who can do this for me…that may be an option in the future...LOL! For now though, there are a few other ways that I’ve found I can save money on groceries (yes, healthy food!) and household items without cutting coupons.

1^st I use my PC Mastercard on pretty well everything I buy. I love this card!! No annual fee, and you earn PC points towards free groceries. You earn points on anything you spend, not just at Superstore. Plus, when you fill in gas at a Superstore gas station and pay with your card, you earn superbucks…at these gas prices we’re earning over $3 per fill! We spend the points we earn about twice a year, so that’s $200+ of healthy food…FREE!!!

2^nd I shop at Shoppers Drug Mart. I know, this may seem crazy because some of their prices are, well, crazy! If you pay attention though, they do have some really good sales and good promotions. Don’t shop here without the Shoppers Optimum card…you can earn points very fast, if you do it correctly! Basically I shop when they have they have promotions like this: Spend $50 on almost anything in the store, get and extra 20x the points (this is when I stock up on diapers if they’re on sale). This receipt was from today; I spent $66.04 and earned a total of 12,400 points. If they wouldn’t have had the promotion today, I only would have earned 620! I have a total of 52,152 points, and the last time I spend my points was in Mar of this year (the pic shows my $200 worth of free stuff!), so as you can see, they add back up pretty fast!

I only spend my points when they have promotions like this: Spend 95,000 points, get up to $200 in free stuff (normally 95,000 points only gets you $170 in free stuff)! Shoppers does have a lot of healthy options…frozen fruit, frozen veggies, milk, cheese, whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, healthy snacks, vitamins, etc. I get a lot of my household items (or things that I don’t like to spend a lot of money on normally) when I’m redeeming my points. www.mrsjanuary.com has written a great e-book on how to spend & save at Shoppers Drug Mart, check it out here: http://www.mrsjanuary.com/shoppers-optimum-guide/

3^rd If you have an iPhone, download the free app called Checkout51, this is basically a coupon app without having to cut or organize coupons! Create an account with them and every Thur morning they will send you the deals of the week. This week for example, one of the deals is spend $60 on any grocery bill, get $1 off. Buy Europe’s Best frozen fruit, get $2.00 off, buy Europe’s Best frozen vegetables, get $2.00 off. Once you’ve purchased these items, go into your app, take a pic of the receipt, click on the items you’re claiming and send it in. They credit your account (for this trip, you would get $5 back), once you’ve saved up $20 or more in your account, they mail you a cheque! You can only have one account per phone/email address. Why not get a 2^nd one on your spouse’s and get double the money back?

4^th Stock up!! If you see items that are on clearance and they can be frozen or stored in any way, stock up on these items! The other day I was at Superstore and they had their organic bananas on sale for .44/lb! This was about .22 cheaper than their non-organic bananas. I bought a bunch, cut them up, put them in a freezer bag and froze them for my shakes and ‘healthy ice cream’ for the summer!!

5^th Price Match. If you don’t know what this is or how to do it, let me know and I’ll show you. This is a great way to take part in all the sales for the week that the different stores offer without having to drive around to all of them individually!