Breakfast of Champions

Since Andrew has been home, we've been trying all kinds of healthy alternatives with him.  Like instead of fries, he loves eggplant and squash "fries," which are just baked with whole wheat bread crumbs. His favorite snack is peanut butter and organic agave nectar aka "honey" on a low-carb tortilla with a banana.  And he pouts when I go to the gym instead of running around the block with him after work!  I'm so glad he's eating healthier and being active.  I was a little worried he wouldn't be active enough this summer since he didn't want to play a summer sport.  AND we haven't had to give him Miralax at all!  I think diet and exercise have a lot to do with that, a natural alternative is always better than a synthetic, chemical one.  So says I. 


One of Andrew's favorite things we've made so far has been this healthy little number brought to us by Gina at Skinnytaste.com.  We've nicknamed it B.O.B.B, Baked Oatmeal Blueberries and Bananas.  I make a dish of it at the beginning of the week and Andrew and I eat on it all week.  Like tonight, I made a batch while he was at VBS.


Ingredients:

• 2 medium ripe bananas, (the riper the better) sliced into 1/2" pieces
• 1 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup honey (or agave)
• 1 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup fat free milk (or any milk you desire)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For further instructions head on over to skinnytaste and enjoy!

Recipes from a Pescetarian

A few weeks ago I blogged about how delicious our Easter lunch was and I promised to share a few recipes with you, and here they are brought to you by my favorite pescetarian, Jackie.

What in the world is a pescetarian you may ask?  Well, a pescatarian is very similar to a vegetarian; the exception is that pescatarians eat eggs, dairy, fish, and shellfish...but no meat from any land animals. 

Her Texas Caviar and Strawberry Spinach Salad were to die for...yet nothing had to die for it. ;)

Texas Caviar

1 can black beans, drained

1 can black eye peas, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 jar pimentos, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar (or splenda)

1/2 cup cider vinegar

On stove top, heat olive oil, cider vinegar, and sugar until sugar is melted. Mix everything together, with liquid, and chill overnight. Drain before serving. Serve with Chips/Fritos/Scoops.

 

 

Strawberry Spinach Salad

*Note: I usually double the recipe for more than ~6 people. I double the dressing, too, but only use about 3/4 of it for the salad, then save the extra for dinner salads and throughout the week.

1 bag baby spinach

1/2 cup toasted pecans (whole or cut)

1 pint strawberries, cut

Mix ingredients together just before serving (otherwise, salad gets soggy!); dress salad before serving

Dressing, mixed together in a small jar/container with lid:

1 T poppyseeds

2 T toasted sesame seeds

1 1/2 tsp minced dried onion

a few shakes worcestershire sauce

a few shakes paprika

1/3 cup sugar (or splenda)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

Easter Weekend with the Days

I must say this was a terrific three day weekend and I could use a few more of them in my life.  Friday I spent the day shopping with my sister and niece then went out for sushi with my love.  Saturday we spent the day piddling around the house until it was time to go to a dear friend's wedding.  It was a beautiful spring afternoon for an outdoor ceremony.  God was definitely smiling down on Young and Shelby.  It was a perfect Southern wedding between a southern gentlemen and an Asian beauty, under the stately oaks on the family's estate, just wonderful!

 A beautiful Live Oak tree.

What a sunset! 

Today we celebrated Easter with our church family and with our Day family.  Bro. Jay's message was so great and not your typical "Easter Sunday Message."  I thought I would share a few of his key point with you.  

His title for today was, "A Better Life."  Bro. Jay said, "that through Jesus' resurrection power, change is possible in any and all aspects of our lives, but only if we open up to Him.  We can begin to live a better life by doing three things,"

Open Your..

• Mind to God's Power- Romans 12:2
• Heart to God's Grace- Romans 3:22
• Life to God's Love- John 10:10

If you have a few minutes, read these versus and I hope they speak to you in the same way they did me.

Now on to Easter lunch which I'll share with you via photos, it was so delicious!

Cuttin' up some filets

Dad/Chef/Butcher/Builder/Lover/Pilot/etc...he pretty much does it all!

Great fresh salsa made by Jackie  

 Mmmm...beef tenderloin steaks.

Does it get any better?  No ma'am!

 Twice baked potatoes made by Erin

 Orzo pasta salad made by yours truly

(I recreated the Whole Foods version, which I love.

Get the recipe here.)

Fresh spinach and strawberry salad with homemade poppy seed dressing also

made by Jackie.  Two words:  "So go-od."  I'll post the recipe when she sends it to me!

I was so excited about dessert I forgot to take pics, Drew requested homemade coffee ice-cream made by yours truly.  For my first time making coffee ice-cream I'd say it turned out pretty good, especially when paired with Erin's homemade choc-chip cookies, macaroons, and hot fudge!  YUM! 

 Poppie and Carrie

 Jax and Rigby

 Jackie and Nate

 Jax checking Carrie out

 Sweet baby girl.

While I missed my Mom & Dad so much today, I am so blessed to be apart of the Day family also.  There is never a dull moment and I always laugh so much when we are all together; if I have to get wrinkles I'd much rather laughter wrinkles over worry wrinkles!  

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and I hope you all have a truly blessed week!

Spice Up Your Tuesday...

with a little salsa!

Drew and I share love for lots of things, and one of those things is salsa!  We planted our first garden this year with all of the ingredients for...you guessed it SALSA.  It's so much more fun to make when you can walk into your back yard and gather all of your ingredients, it just can't get much fresher than that.  If you don't have a garden of your own I recommend supporting your local farmers market or fruit stand for fresh produce. 

That said, I love corn and bean salsa too!  No we didn't plant corn this year but my sister has an awesome recipe and I thought I would share.  This salsa is bright and refreshing, I also recommend making it the night before you plan on eating it to allow the ingredients to marinate together.  Enjoy!

From the kitchen of Paula Gould:

1 can of black bean, rinsed
1 can of Shoepeg corn
2 1/2 TBS of olive oil
2 TBS of fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp of cumin
2-3 green onions chopped
3 chopped Roma tomatoes
1-2 jalapenos, no seeds 
1 clove garlic minced
cilantro to taste, this is one of my favorite herbs and easy to grow!
salt to taste