Tag: healthy

This Spaghetti Squash Lasagna answers the question, “What’s for dinner tonight”?

I was craving a fall type lasagna the other day without all the heaviness of traditional lasagna. I am also trying to be on a restricted gluten and dairy diet for personal health benefits — I am constantly learning about healthy food alternatives & trying to incorporate that into my lifestyle as much as possible. SO, cooking at home is the easiest way to achieve that! 

healthy-spaghetti-squashI had some spaghetti squash, tomatoes and tofu at home — and fresh basil still growing outside despite the cold temps we’ve been having this week in Boston. I made sure to salvage the basil and utilize it in this recipe.

This lasagna happens to be gluten-free and vegan, but you can easily add (more…)

3 ingredient peanut butter (& fluff) cookies

dsc_0567I don’t know about you, but after dinner, I crave something sweet! When they ask at the restaurant if you saved room for dessert, I always say yes! It’s this weird thing I got from my mother — I just do not feel satisfied unless my sweet tooth is taken care of.

My healthy paleo, no dairy, no gluten diet had to go on hold for these cookies! However, they are only 3-ingredients (+ the fluff) ……. (more…)

Sun-dried Tomatoes with Feta Turkey Meatloaf

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 I don’t think my mom has ever made a “meatloaf” – so I guess that’s why I don’t understand the negative perception that comes with the food – I’m almost embarrassed to tell people I’m making meatloaf and I love it (okay, I’m not embarrassed – I tell people all the time) What I mean is, a lot of people instantly go back to when they were kids and the horrors when mom told them meatloaf was for dinner… at least that’s the consensus I’ve gathered!

Here is proof— when asked random people: Why do people hate Meatloaf?— here are some responses:

  • Probably because they were subjected to the same meatloaf I was in school; hamburger with onion soup mix in it and some ketchup on top. It ruined meatloaf for me until I learned to make it myself and found out how it should really taste.
  • I always thought I didn’t like meatloaf. At a church potluck, however, it was discovered that I did not like MY MOTHER’S meatloaf… To answer your question directly, I’d say that those who don’t like meatloaf haven’t tried the right kind yet.
  •  ….because when you add the word “loaf” to a food, it just makes it so much more….appetizing. Just think! “Cabbageloaf,” or, come down to McDonald’s for our new McLoaf! Many do not know how to make a good meatloaf. It’s the kind of thing that can be good when it’s made right, but can really, really go wrong when it’s not.

So, ever since I met my fiance and had him cringe at me when I said I’m making meatloaf for dinner – I have been determined to get him to like it! And… what do you know.. he gets himself seconds whenever I make it. If you make it right – it can be delicious (not to mention SO easy)  especially for kids a great way to hide some veggies in it! I have made some with chopped carrots, kale, spinach, mushrooms…etc.

Even the doodle likes his veggies =)

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 presetThis recipe here is by far, one of our favorites. Enjoy with a side of sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts!

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Pumpkin everywhere! Trader Joe’s Edition.

Trader Joe’s has gone wild with pumpkin! I walked in there the other day to get some more cookie butter (I’m addicted) and walked out with about 9 different pumpkin type items – I actually forgot to get the cookie butter! shocker! Does that ever  happen to anyone else? You go to a store with one thing in mind and come out with everything else EXCEPT that 1 thing – something tells me I’m not alone with that 😉

I sampled some Honey Roasted Pumpkin raviolis – so naturally I had to get a pack to take home. I also tried the pumpkin coffee, which is the only coffee I drink in the Fall. I got pumpkin butter, pumpkin seed and cranberry pita chips, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin dog treats, pumpkin bread mix, pumpkin rolls (can’t wait to make these!!) and pumpkin macaroons!

I’m really not pumpkin-ed-out… yet…although, I didn’t buy the pumpkin pie because Nico makes one every year from a pumpkin we get at the farm and its SO good, I cant get myself to ever buy one at the store.

So, everyone head to your nearest Trader Joe’s because these items are limited and actually run out quickly – especially the pumpkin butter and raviolis!

Oh I made the pumpkin bar (in cupcake tins) last night and improvised to make it healthier (also Vegan)

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Instead of 2 eggs – I used 1 tbsp of homemade apple sauce and 1 tbsp flax/chia seed with 3 tbsp water.

Instead of 2 sticks butter – I used 8 tbsp of Earth Balance organic “butter”

unnamed (5)This Pumpkin Bar is different than the Pumpkin Bread they also carry. It has chocolate chips in it 🙂 wooo

unnamed (4) unnamed (2) unnamed (3)Bon appétit!! 

and to make your day that much better: