Vegan Garlic and "Cheese" Cauliflower Head

Need a new (easy) recipe for that head of cauliflower sitting in your fridge? 

Instead of cutting into florets, try steaming the whole head! It is SO much easier! Albeit, it does take a bit longer to cook, but then you just have extra time to play with your kids or get some extra housework done. Or, let's get real, watch TV ;)

Place the whole head of cauliflower in a pot with an inch to an inch and a half of water in the bottom. Cover it and simmer it over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. 

After the time is up, check it by prodding it with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, then it is done. If not, let it cook for 5 more minutes and check it again. 

Cooking time really depends on the size of the head. 

After it's done cooking, stick a fork in each side to lift it out of the pot. Then set it on your serving plate. 

While it's still hot, sprinkle it with garlic salt and plenty of nutritional yeast. 

You can clean of the plate to serve it if you like, but I kind of like the sprinkles on the plate :)

Cut off a portion for each person, or just go ahead and DIG IN! 

Enjoy!

Need a new (easy) recipe for that head of cauliflower sitting in your fridge? 

Instead of cutting into florets, try steaming the whole head! It is SO much easier! Albeit, it does take a bit longer to cook, but then you just have extra time to play with your kids or get some extra housework done. Or, let's get real, watch TV ;)

Place the whole head of cauliflower in a pot with an inch to an inch and a half of water in the bottom. Cover it and simmer it over medium-low heat for 20-25 minutes. 

After the time is up, check it by prodding it with a fork. If the fork goes in easily, then it is done. If not, let it cook for 5 more minutes and check it again. 

Cooking time really depends on the size of the head. 

After it's done cooking, stick a fork in each side to lift it out of the pot. Then set it on your serving plate. 

While it's still hot, sprinkle it with garlic salt and plenty of nutritional yeast. 

You can clean of the plate to serve it if you like, but I kind of like the sprinkles on the plate :)

Cut off a portion for each person, or just go ahead and DIG IN! 

Enjoy!

Healthy Food Products

I have run across a few awesome healthy food products the last couple of months that I really wanted to share with my readers! If you try them out, let me know what you think!! :)

Avocado oil is a great oil for cooking. It is has a very high smoke point, which means it can withstand high cooking temperatures. It also has a very mild flavor so it goes well over salads too!

This is my FAVORITE new product!! I love coffee. It makes me feel warm and cozy :) This coconut creamer tastes nothing like coconut and allows me to have delicious coffee without the dairy creamers!

Another great oil for cooking! When heated, coconut oil does not change much at the molecular level so it retains much of it's nutritional value! Many oils, like canola, olive, and other vegetable oils, are not great for cooking because of this reason. It does have a coconut flavor to it though, remember that when adding it to recipes.

Just like it says on the label, this nut butter is made from RAW almonds. This is one of the best nut butters for that reason. Plus, this one has maple added. One word: DELICIOUS! You will not want to go back to regular old peanut butter!

If you're trying to ditch the dairy, but are finding it hard to give up yogurt, this may do the trick! SO Delicious has many great flavors, still has probiotics, and tastes almost exactly like dairy yogurt! Give it a try and substitute it in your favorite recipes.

Tamari tastes just like soy sauce, but is gluten-free so even those with celiac disease and allergies to wheat can enjoy it!

Most of these foods can be found in the health food section of large grocery stores. The only one I haven't been able to find again is the Avocado oil!! My husband and I ran across this gem at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

I have run across a few awesome healthy food products the last couple of months that I really wanted to share with my readers! If you try them out, let me know what you think!! :)

Avocado oil is a great oil for cooking. It is has a very high smoke point, which means it can withstand high cooking temperatures. It also has a very mild flavor so it goes well over salads too!

This is my FAVORITE new product!! I love coffee. It makes me feel warm and cozy :) This coconut creamer tastes nothing like coconut and allows me to have delicious coffee without the dairy creamers!

Another great oil for cooking! When heated, coconut oil does not change much at the molecular level so it retains much of it's nutritional value! Many oils, like canola, olive, and other vegetable oils, are not great for cooking because of this reason. It does have a coconut flavor to it though, remember that when adding it to recipes.

Just like it says on the label, this nut butter is made from RAW almonds. This is one of the best nut butters for that reason. Plus, this one has maple added. One word: DELICIOUS! You will not want to go back to regular old peanut butter!

If you're trying to ditch the dairy, but are finding it hard to give up yogurt, this may do the trick! SO Delicious has many great flavors, still has probiotics, and tastes almost exactly like dairy yogurt! Give it a try and substitute it in your favorite recipes.

Tamari tastes just like soy sauce, but is gluten-free so even those with celiac disease and allergies to wheat can enjoy it!

Most of these foods can be found in the health food section of large grocery stores. The only one I haven't been able to find again is the Avocado oil!! My husband and I ran across this gem at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Healthy, Yummy, Warm, Vegan Drinks!

On cold, snowy winter days, I love to curl up on the couch with a hot drink. Instead of drinking a 1200 calorie latte, I've come up with a few healthier alternatives.


Almond Milk Hot Chocolate

My favorite way to make vegan hot chocolate is to warm up a mug of this on the stove or in the microwave with a sprinkle or two of cinnamon. 

You can also add a little homemade chocolate syrup to unsweetened or vanilla flavored almond or coconut milk. 

For a bittersweet version, add cocoa powder instead of the syrup!

Tea with Coconut French Vanilla Creamer

In the mood for a pumpkin spice latte? Instead, try an herbal tea with a little SO Delicious French Vanilla creamer. It's delicious! Try adding a shot of coffee to really get the job done! :)



Harney Teas

Or try a cinnamon, chocolate, or vanilla tea! I am super interested in this chocolate mint one from Harney & Sons! (How CUTE are these tins!?)


Chocolate Mint



Hot Lemon Water

You can never go wrong with a hot mug of water with a couple lemon slices! The lemon is a great source of vitamin C and helps support your liver clean out those toxins!

Non-Dairy Lattes & Cappuccinos

If you own your own espresso or cappuccino machine, start getting creative!! Use a variety of non-dairy milks to see which you like best. I've been experimenting with almond and coconut milk. Both are delicious and coconut milk gets frothy really quickly for a very creamy cappuccino! Add yummy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or use vanilla or chocolate flavored milk to kick it up a notch!

I also grind my own coffee beans so it's extra fresh, just like Caribou :)


Experimenting with healthy drinks like these? Share them in the comment section!

On cold, snowy winter days, I love to curl up on the couch with a hot drink. Instead of drinking a 1200 calorie latte, I've come up with a few healthier alternatives.


Almond Milk Hot Chocolate

My favorite way to make vegan hot chocolate is to warm up a mug of this on the stove or in the microwave with a sprinkle or two of cinnamon. 

You can also add a little homemade chocolate syrup to unsweetened or vanilla flavored almond or coconut milk. 

For a bittersweet version, add cocoa powder instead of the syrup!

Tea with Coconut French Vanilla Creamer

In the mood for a pumpkin spice latte? Instead, try an herbal tea with a little SO Delicious French Vanilla creamer. It's delicious! Try adding a shot of coffee to really get the job done! :)



Harney Teas

Or try a cinnamon, chocolate, or vanilla tea! I am super interested in this chocolate mint one from Harney & Sons! (How CUTE are these tins!?)


Chocolate Mint



Hot Lemon Water

You can never go wrong with a hot mug of water with a couple lemon slices! The lemon is a great source of vitamin C and helps support your liver clean out those toxins!

Non-Dairy Lattes & Cappuccinos

If you own your own espresso or cappuccino machine, start getting creative!! Use a variety of non-dairy milks to see which you like best. I've been experimenting with almond and coconut milk. Both are delicious and coconut milk gets frothy really quickly for a very creamy cappuccino! Add yummy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or use vanilla or chocolate flavored milk to kick it up a notch!

I also grind my own coffee beans so it's extra fresh, just like Caribou :)


Experimenting with healthy drinks like these? Share them in the comment section!

Happy President's Day!

Hope everyone is having a great day remembering our founding fathers! 

I am hard at work writing new posts for the upcoming weeks! A little preview of what's to come:

Baby Week! : A week devoted to all things baby. How to deal with a COLICKY babe, things new parents DO and DON'T need. a couple of tips on how to SLEEP TRAIN, and MORE! Including some newborn photos of my own little one. 

Cleaning out the Cupboards : A guide to cleaning out and streamlining the items your kitchen.

Hot Non-Dairy Drinks for the Winter Blues : Re-Vamped Hot Cocoa and other yummy treats!

In the meantime, check out my updated About Me and Travel pages!

Hope everyone is having a great day remembering our founding fathers! 

I am hard at work writing new posts for the upcoming weeks! A little preview of what's to come:

Baby Week! : A week devoted to all things baby. How to deal with a COLICKY babe, things new parents DO and DON'T need. a couple of tips on how to SLEEP TRAIN, and MORE! Including some newborn photos of my own little one. 

Cleaning out the Cupboards : A guide to cleaning out and streamlining the items your kitchen.

Hot Non-Dairy Drinks for the Winter Blues : Re-Vamped Hot Cocoa and other yummy treats!

In the meantime, check out my updated About Me and Travel pages!

Orange Pineapple Banana Smoothie

Oh my goodness. I just made the BEST smoothie ever!

Compare it to something that you would get at Orange Julius, only 10 times better because it doesn't have that weird powdered sugar taste to it AND it only contains 5 ingredients!

I do not have any pictures right now, but I just HAD to post the recipe anyways. IT'S THAT GOOD FOLKS!

Make it tomorrow,

or tonight!

All you need to blend is:

3/4 c. frozen or fresh pineapple
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach
2 oranges, peeled
1/2 c. water
2 bananas

Make sure it is blended well and, for fun, serve it with one of those pretty umbrellas :)

Oh my goodness. I just made the BEST smoothie ever!

Compare it to something that you would get at Orange Julius, only 10 times better because it doesn't have that weird powdered sugar taste to it AND it only contains 5 ingredients!

I do not have any pictures right now, but I just HAD to post the recipe anyways. IT'S THAT GOOD FOLKS!

Make it tomorrow,

or tonight!

All you need to blend is:

3/4 c. frozen or fresh pineapple
1 1/2 c. fresh spinach
2 oranges, peeled
1/2 c. water
2 bananas

Make sure it is blended well and, for fun, serve it with one of those pretty umbrellas :)

Fresh Smoothie Recipe!

I hope everyone's Sunday has been great so far! On this end, neither me nor my husband are feeling well. Unfortunately, we both have some type of head cold. Yuck.

We are working on getting rid of these with lots of rest and sleep, steam from the shower to break up the congestion and nasty stuff in our sinuses, and lots of fruit and veggies to get our body back on track! After all, the immune system doesn't work properly if it's not getting the right nutrients!

One of the best ways to get your fruit and veggies is a smoothie. Full of spinach and fruit, the smoothies we have been drinking are the quickest way to get our calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and lots of other micronutrients! Even better? Baby seems to like them just as much as me! :)

So grab that blender and make one with me!

We have a Ninja, which we love because of the multiple blade action! There are 6 blades that are spaced halfway up the pitcher which means, no stirring!

Grab your veggies and fruit. I used spinach, cucumber, parsley (which I grabbed from my plant outside), bananas, an apple, strawberries, and blueberries. 

I hope everyone's Sunday has been great so far! On this end, neither me nor my husband are feeling well. Unfortunately, we both have some type of head cold. Yuck.

We are working on getting rid of these with lots of rest and sleep, steam from the shower to break up the congestion and nasty stuff in our sinuses, and lots of fruit and veggies to get our body back on track! After all, the immune system doesn't work properly if it's not getting the right nutrients!

One of the best ways to get your fruit and veggies is a smoothie. Full of spinach and fruit, the smoothies we have been drinking are the quickest way to get our calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and lots of other micronutrients! Even better? Baby seems to like them just as much as me! :)

So grab that blender and make one with me!

We have a Ninja, which we love because of the multiple blade action! There are 6 blades that are spaced halfway up the pitcher which means, no stirring!

Grab your veggies and fruit. I used spinach, cucumber, parsley (which I grabbed from my plant outside), bananas, an apple, strawberries, and blueberries. 

Simple Salad Recipe

I just made this salad for lunch. It is a super simple but absolutely delicious and satisfying one!

Doesn't it just LOOK amazing!?

It is romaine, spinach (feel free to substitute kale!), tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and sweet corn.

For a little extra flavor (not that it needs any) I squeezed a little lime over the top and sprinkled on some sea salt and pepper. It could definitely be made for a large crowd! AND since it doesn't get soggy, especially if you use the kale in place of spinach, it is perfect for a light lunch at work!

Enjoy your spring salads! :)

I just made this salad for lunch. It is a super simple but absolutely delicious and satisfying one!

Doesn't it just LOOK amazing!?

It is romaine, spinach (feel free to substitute kale!), tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and sweet corn.

For a little extra flavor (not that it needs any) I squeezed a little lime over the top and sprinkled on some sea salt and pepper. It could definitely be made for a large crowd! AND since it doesn't get soggy, especially if you use the kale in place of spinach, it is perfect for a light lunch at work!

Enjoy your spring salads! :)

Healthy Eating in 2013 - Post 2

A couple weeks ago I posted about eating healthier this year by adding new products into your kitchen. 

This second post is about products I like to substitute in cooking and preparing meals. 

The first two products are grains. I am sure you have heard of the new gluten-free products and diets that have come out in the last few years and maybe you've been wondering if these diets have any merit. 

A couple weeks ago I posted about eating healthier this year by adding new products into your kitchen. 

This second post is about products I like to substitute in cooking and preparing meals. 

The first two products are grains. I am sure you have heard of the new gluten-free products and diets that have come out in the last few years and maybe you've been wondering if these diets have any merit. 

Healthier Eating in 2013

It is mid January, 2013. Just a couple weeks into the New Year.

Did you make a resolution this year? Was it to eat healthier, lose weight, get in better shape?

It's a common resolution, but can be difficult to stick with!

A big part of losing weight is learning to eat the right foods. Veggies and fruit are obvious additions to eating healthier, but there are some packaged foods that can help you stick to your resolution too.

These are some super easy switches to make that will help you achieve your goals:

Smoothies and fresh juices have become super popular lately, but it's sometimes hard (and expensive to make your own every morning. Plus, if you live in a rural area without access to a health food store it is sometimes hard to find what the experts recommend adding for that "NUTRITION PUNCH"!

(Case in point: Bee pollen? seriously? where am I going to find that in a Montana town 2 hours from a health food store?)

Enter Naked juice in 64 oz. containers!

If you're really not feeling up to making your own smoothies, this is a great second option!

This bottle is packed with the nutrients you need to start your day!

Getting all of these vitamins in the morning (before you eat anything else!) will help your body absorb the nutrients and put them to work giving you energy for your busy day!














The next big change you should make to your diet? Skip the dairy!

Dairy lines your digestive tract with a mucosal layer and contains the protein casein, which has been shown to cause cancer in rats (learn more here: http://www.forksoverknives.com/)

Instead of cow's milk go with almond milk!!

This chocolate kind is awesome! It is the perfect way to switch from dairy to nut milk.

   

It actually contains MORE calcium that cow's milk and gives you 50% of your vitamin E for the day!

One glass of this milk and a glass of Naked juice will almost cover you for your vitamins! Eat some fruit and veggies as snack throughout the day and say Hello! to better health!!

It is mid January, 2013. Just a couple weeks into the New Year.

Did you make a resolution this year? Was it to eat healthier, lose weight, get in better shape?

It's a common resolution, but can be difficult to stick with!

A big part of losing weight is learning to eat the right foods. Veggies and fruit are obvious additions to eating healthier, but there are some packaged foods that can help you stick to your resolution too.

These are some super easy switches to make that will help you achieve your goals:

Smoothies and fresh juices have become super popular lately, but it's sometimes hard (and expensive to make your own every morning. Plus, if you live in a rural area without access to a health food store it is sometimes hard to find what the experts recommend adding for that "NUTRITION PUNCH"!

(Case in point: Bee pollen? seriously? where am I going to find that in a Montana town 2 hours from a health food store?)

Enter Naked juice in 64 oz. containers!

If you're really not feeling up to making your own smoothies, this is a great second option!

This bottle is packed with the nutrients you need to start your day!

Getting all of these vitamins in the morning (before you eat anything else!) will help your body absorb the nutrients and put them to work giving you energy for your busy day!














The next big change you should make to your diet? Skip the dairy!

Dairy lines your digestive tract with a mucosal layer and contains the protein casein, which has been shown to cause cancer in rats (learn more here: http://www.forksoverknives.com/)

Instead of cow's milk go with almond milk!!

This chocolate kind is awesome! It is the perfect way to switch from dairy to nut milk.

   

It actually contains MORE calcium that cow's milk and gives you 50% of your vitamin E for the day!

One glass of this milk and a glass of Naked juice will almost cover you for your vitamins! Eat some fruit and veggies as snack throughout the day and say Hello! to better health!!

Homemade Chili Recipe

So, after posting about all of those delicious looking soups I just had to make some for myself. What's better than a bowl full of piping hot chili on a chilly night??

Look at that steam....

So, after posting about all of those delicious looking soups I just had to make some for myself. What's better than a bowl full of piping hot chili on a chilly night??

Look at that steam....

Thanksgiving Recipes

The feast of Thanksgiving starts in TWO days! Who's excited?? (Pick me! I am!)

The feast of Thanksgiving starts in TWO days! Who's excited?? (Pick me! I am!)

Baked Buffalo Cauliflower

A couple weeks ago I pinned this recipe:

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower

We really don't eat a lot of cauliflower, neither my husband or I really like it, but I thought I would give it a try.

And let me tell you: it was FANTASTIC! Still a little crunchy and super tasty!

Of course, it's not chicken and can't be expected to taste like it, but it is a great substitute!

So here's how to do it:

Mix a batter of 2 tsp. Frank's Red Hot, 1/3 c. flour (I used Bobs Red Mill 21192 All Purpose Baking Flour Gluten Free (Google Affiliate Ad)), and 1/3 c. water.

A couple weeks ago I pinned this recipe:

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower

We really don't eat a lot of cauliflower, neither my husband or I really like it, but I thought I would give it a try.

And let me tell you: it was FANTASTIC! Still a little crunchy and super tasty!

Of course, it's not chicken and can't be expected to taste like it, but it is a great substitute!

So here's how to do it:

Mix a batter of 2 tsp. Frank's Red Hot, 1/3 c. flour (I used Bobs Red Mill 21192 All Purpose Baking Flour Gluten Free (Google Affiliate Ad)), and 1/3 c. water.

Spanish Vegan Meal

Tonight for dinner I made Spanish rice and refried bean dip with tortilla chips.

It was delicious.

I'll start with the easy part, the bean dip.

It may not look that good, but I promise you, you will not be able to stop eating it!!

Tonight for dinner I made Spanish rice and refried bean dip with tortilla chips.

It was delicious.

I'll start with the easy part, the bean dip.

It may not look that good, but I promise you, you will not be able to stop eating it!!

Bite-Sized Soft Pretzels

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own soft pretzel bites.

Yum!

This recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend or a football party! AND it will please almost everyone since it does not contain dairy or meat, oil, and you can control the salt content! Much healthier than those oily ones sold in food courts!

Today I'm going to show you how to make your own soft pretzel bites.

Yum!

This recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend or a football party! AND it will please almost everyone since it does not contain dairy or meat, oil, and you can control the salt content! Much healthier than those oily ones sold in food courts!