What’s cookin good lookin?

Sadly, this is the last blog post to my Taste The Health page, I really enjoyed making different posts each week and showing other people what I like to eat and make. As my blog posts continued I tried to post about various recipe ideas, that sometimes not everyone thinks of. Being healthy is important but also enjoying what you eat is important and something I have been trying to let the readers know. Cooking is fun and eating is even better! For my last post I’m going to tell you about one of my favorite meals which is my Sushi Bowl. I love sushi, but making this bowl is a alternative I like as well.

Sushi Bowl

Ingredients: 

Who doesn’t love snacks?

I can say I’m a big snacker, especially at school. Snacks do give you energy if they’re healthy! I like to bring snacks to class, on long car rides, and also to work. Making snacks rather than just buying them at the store is a little more time consuming but in the end it is worth it. Trail mix is one of my favorite snacks, it has a sweet but also salty taste to it.. which I LOVE! Each week you do make trail mix snack packs to go, you can change up the recipe and what you put into it.

Trail Mix

Mix n’ Match Ingredients: 

• Nuts
• Seeds
• Dried Fruit
• Grains
• Sweets
• Savory Extras

Everyone has their own favorite flavors and tastes so make your mix to make your taste buds happy. Trail mixes have no rules so be creative! 

I usually put my trail mix in several mini sandwich bags so I can grab them and go to wherever I need to go, so make as much as you need. 

My favorite trail mix:

1. Almonds, Peanuts
2. Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds
3. Dried bananas, dried apricots
4. Honey Granola
5. Mnms

ENJOY 🙂

It’s almost Easter!!

Easter is this weekend, I know that not everyone celebrates Easter but my family and I do. This recipe is close to my heart and has always grown up with this when it is Easter. My family is Italian so this bread is a tradition for us every Easter. My Nonna will always have this bread every Easter since I can remember. I’ve seen her make it a couple times, but never actually have made it myself. One day when I’m older with my own family I plan on continuing this tradition and making this for everyone to enjoy.

Easter Bread

Ingredients: For the bread

For the eggs: 

4 large eggs

1 c.  boiling water, divided

Directions:

1. Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, add milk and 1 teaspoon sugar and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit until frothy, about 8 minutes.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour, remaining ½ cup sugar, and salt. Add milk-and-yeast mixture and eggs. Mix until a very soft dough forms, about 5 minutes. Increase to medium-high speed and add in butter a tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition, until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, about 15 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
4. Meanwhile make hard-boiled eggs: Place eggs in a medium pot and cover with water. Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Cover and turn off heat. Let sit for 11 minutes, then remove from pan and dunk in ice water.
5. Divide 1 cup boiling water between 2 bowls. Add 1 teaspoon vinegar and desired food coloring to each bowl. Add one egg at a time and let sit 5 to 10 minutes, depending on preferred color. Use a slotted spoon to remove from bowl and let dry on a wire rack fitted over a baking sheet.
6. Preheat oven to 375° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each piece into a 16″ long rope. Place ropes side by side lengthwise on prepared baking sheet. Pinch top ends together, then tightly braid ropes together. Bring ends together to form a circle and pinch together.
7. Press dyed eggs into braid, then cover dough and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
8. Brush with egg wash and top with sprinkles. Bake until golden, 30 minutes.
9. ENJOY 🙂

My Nonna’s recipe is something I will keep and give to my own children one day! I think traditions are important and matter to each family. I look forward to this bread each Easter and is something my whole family enjoys to eat. It might not be the healthiest, but because it is a holiday you’re allowed to treat yourself!

Dessert time!!

This week I wanted to do another healthy but easy dessert recipe, because dessert is something I always crave and want to have but want it to be healthy. I’m so excited to show this THREE ingredient recipe which is delicious! In my malls at home there are frozen yogurt places which are yummy and a nice healthy alternative to ice cream. The frozen yogurt itself is healthier and it just depends how much toppings you decide to add on top. In the frozen yogurt places there are many different flavors of frozen yogurt but this blog is going to give you the recipe for a more simpler flavor.

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

Ingredients: – 1 32 0z. of Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup of Raw honey, 1 tsp. of Vanilla extract

OPTIONAL: add some 1/2 frozen berries, or coco powder for chocolate flavor

This is something you can keep the ingredients at home and make it whenever you’re craving something sweet. And you will save money as well which is always nice.

Instructions:

OPTIONAL add toppings: fruits, candy, sprinkles, drizzle

Happy Spring!!

Once the seasons change I personally feel as if I crave, and want to make recipes that go with the new season. It is finally spring so instead of warmer foods it is time for fresher, cold foods. This recipe can be made for a lunch, or dinner and is healthy but also yummy. I’m going to be honest I’m not a huge salad girl, only if the salad has things on it and good flavor to it. This recipe is a sweet but also has a nice zip to it as well.

Ingredients: this recipe can make up to 4 servings

• 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon best-quality balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup toasted chopped walnuts

Feel free to not use some of the toppings and change up the recipe to what you prefer this is just what I like and make. 

Directions:

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to allow shallots to soften and mellow a bit.
2. Add spinach, strawberries, feta and walnuts to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing.
3. ENJOY 🙂

This recipe is quick to make only takes about 15 minutes to make!! 

Nutrition Facts:

• Gluten Free
• Soy Free
• High Fiber
• Low Carbs
• Vitamin A and Vitamin C

Sundae Recipe

Eating healthy is hard and from all that hard work you deserve a cheat dessert! I personally have a sweet tooth so I like to make my cheat cheat something yummy and sweet. Anything from cupcakes, to cake to ice cream I LOVE!! So this cheat dessert is going to be a sundae. But not any sundae….. a Oreo Sundae!

Ingredients:

• Cookies and Cream ice cream
• 2 cups of chocolate chips
• Oreo cookies (largely chopped or minis)
• Whip cream
• Oreo cookie crumbles to top it off

Instructions:

1. Scoop the desired amount of ice cream into a sundae bowl
2. Top with chocolate chips and oreos
3. Finish off the sundae with whipped cream, and oreo cookie crumbles
4. ENJOY!!!! 🙂

This recipe is just my go to favorite cheat cheat dessert. Feel free to change up this sundae to your favorites, or even do a different cheat meal. The point of this is to know everything is good in moderation! Always try to be the healthiest version of yourself but also be happy with what you’re eating.

Bowl of Heaven

I’am a Chipotle LOVER!!! Sadly, when being here at school there is no Chipotle, the closest one is in Concord, NH. My roommates and I will take trips 40 minutes away just to get it. There is Burrito Me on Main Street but no no that is not the same as Chipotle. What I love is being able to have my original favorite bowl but also being able to change it up when wanted. This recipe can be good for a lunch or even a dinner, and also it is filling and not wicked unhealthy. A plus when making it at home is you don’t have to make it as salty, like Chipotle does. Again, I’m personally more of a bowl type of girl but burritos are good as well.

Ingredients for Chicken: (I use chicken, feel free to also use steak or have a vegetarian bowl)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts)

Ingredients for Rice:

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup white basmati rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro

Toppings!!!! (the best part)

• pinto or black beans
• chicken or steak
• corn
• queso
• sour cream
• tomatoes/salsa
• cheese
• lettuce
• guac       Those are just some topping ideas to get you thinking!

Alex Bowl: what I usually get or make

• extra brown rice
• pinto beans
• chicken
• mild salsa
• corn
• sour cream
• cheese
• lettuce
• guac
• with a tortilla on the side!!

Instructions: 

1. 1. Combine the vegetable oil, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, and black pepper in a small bowl and stir to combine.
   2. Place the chicken in a large zip top plastic bag and add the marinade. Zip the bag and mix the chicken into the marinade. Place it into the fridge and let it marinate for at least 1 hour.
   3. Heat an indoor or outdoor grill to about 400 degrees F (medium high heat). Place the chicken onto the grill and grill 5 to 6 minutes per side, until the chicken is cooked. Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Chop the chicken into small bite sized pieces and use as needed.

1. 1. In a heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the white rice and lime juice and sauté for 60 seconds to toast the rice.
   2. Add the water and bring the rice to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed.
   3. Add in the cilantro and fluff rice with a fork.

1. Arrange equal parts of the white rice and chopped grilled chicken in 4 bowls. Top with equal parts of the pinto beans, corn, guacamole, pico and cheese. Season with salt and pepper as needed and serve immediately.

After a few times of making my own homemade Chipotle bowl, I have mastered how to cook it and what flavoring I like best. Remember, make the bowl look pretty because who doesn’t like mouth watering foods? Save money and be your own Chipotle from your own kitchen! 

Let’s get fruity this week!

Something my mom has always made for me ever since I was little for a snack was a fruit salad parfait. But not any kind, a eye appealing but also yummy Rainbow Fruit Salad Parfait. It is very important to include eating fruits in your daily diet, and sometimes it can be hard. This is a easy way to include the 2 servings of fruit each day. For this specific recipe it is more aimed to be a dessert but it can also be a snack if wanted. It is a very easy, and also quick recipe nearly anyone is able to make. I even had made this recipe for the little kids I babysit and they loved it! The presentation of this recipe little kids love and makes them want to eat it more. This dessert/snack can be a great thing to bring over to a party, or have at your place when people come over.

Rainbow Fruit Salad Parfait

Ingredients: 

• Tall glasses to make the parfait in
• 2 cups of each type of fruit
• 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla pure extract
• 3/4 cup of powered sugar
• Whipped cream (if desired)
• Granola (if desired)

Fruit Rainbow: 

• Red: strawberries, cherries, raspberries, cranberries, watermelon
• Orange: oranges, mandarin oranges, cantaloupe
• Yellow: banana, pineapple,
• Green: kiwi, green grapes
• Blue: blueberries, blackberries
• Purple: purple grapes

These are just some options for the different color fruits you can choose for the parfait. Each parfait is unique and is individualized for each person depending which fruits they like best. That is one big reason why this recipe is good because it is very versatile and can be easily changed.

Directions:

1. Put each fruit in its own bowl
2. Add 1/4 tsp vanilla and 2 tablespoons of powered sugar to each bowl
3. Mix until the sugar dissolves
4. Evenly distribute the fruits into the tall glasses
5. MAKE SURE to start with the purple fruit on bottom and go from there ending with red fruit
6. If wanted top off with some whipped cream and granola!!!
7. Eat right away or refrigerate right after making

Feel free to change the recipe to how you like but this is just the recipe my mom made for me and then I started making for myself and other people. The vanilla and powered sugar gives it a yummy flavor rather than just having plain fruit. And of course this is a healthy recipe. Remember eat your fruits folks!

Photo: from Google

Spring break is just around the corner!!

During the weekend, I won’t lie and say I’m really healthy like I am during the week. Being busy, and wanting to do things with my roommates makes me want to just eat easy, but fattening foods which IS NOT good. A cheat meal during the weekend is totally okay but sometimes my roommates and I want to eat everything in sight that is bad for us on the weekends. Once Monday rolls around, I’m back at the gym and my healthy food grind. But I do feel bloated and I don’t have a lot of energy, so to solve this I like to start my week off with a healthy but yummy detox smoothie. These detox smoothies give me: energy, and gives me a all natural cleanse. A nice cleanse feels great and flushing out your bodies toxins is much needed!

Directions: be creative and use what you like best!

1. Choose a 1-2 cups of a base liquid
2. Choose 2 cups of your favorite base ingredients
3. Add some creaminess
4. Add 1-2 cups of green
5. Add some boost nutrients
6. Add some flavor
7. BLEND BLEND BLEND
8. AND ENJOY 🙂

Ingredient Options: 

1. Fresh apple/orange juice, coconut water, almond milk, green tea
2. Fresh/frozen fruits or veggies
3. Avocado, banana, yogurt, almond butter
4. Kale, spinach, beets
5. Chia seeds, flax seeds, ginger,pomegranate
6. Cinnamon, red pepper flakes, hemp oil

What I love is each week I can change up the ingredient choices so I enjoy the detox smoothies. Drinking the same kind each week would make me sick of it and not want to drink it. It is important to keep the insides of your body healthy so you can have energy and motivation for the upcoming week. This smoothie can be ate as a breakfast, snack or even lunch. Detox smoothies are fully nutritious and filling. They also help someone loose weight which is nice as well. I personally have been really strict on my eating, and making sure I been doing these each week so I can feel confident in my bikini on spring break!!

There are also other benefits in the detox smoothies:

• Increased energy
• Strengthens immune system
• Source of antioxidants
• Boosts fruit & veggie intake
•   Minerals for healthy bones

www.looseweightbyeating.com

For all you Mexican lovers

Taco Tuesdays is a weekly dinner in my house for my five roommates and I. We love tacos but with these tacos we make them with a twist. Taco’s can be more on the high calorie side and with spring break around the corner we been making dinners that are yummy but healthy. This is a recipe for people who want to be healthy but still keep tacos in their diet. These wraps are very yummy and satisfying, but also filling and the best part still healthy!!

Turkey Lettuce Wraps 

Ingredients:

• Package of romaine lettuce
• Ground lean turkey package (usually one package can be made for two people)
• Low sodium taco seasoning packet
• Toppings (choose whatever you like!) examples: light sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, chives, avocado

What makes this recipe healthy if you noticed is there is no tortillas, or hard taco shells. The romaine lettuce is in replacement of the unhealthy tortilla or shell. My roommates and I really don’t feel like we are missing out when not eating the shell. Sometimes after eating the traditional tacos we felt too full and with these we feel just right after eating them.

Directions:

1. Brown the turkey in a large skillet pan and break it all up.
2. Let it cook and add in the seasoning packet and mix it all together.
3. If desired add in onions, or other ingredients to make it more flavorful. (I personally don’t add in anything else)
4. Make sure you wash your lettuce and place on a plate.
5. Place the turkey meat in the middle of each of the lettuce pieces.
6. Top it off with your topping choices.
7. ENJOY TACO TUESDAY

This is the recipe we use every Tuesday, there are many variation of flavors for these lettuce wraps. Altered recipes like this are there for you to be able to still eat and enjoy the foods you like just in a little healthier way that makes a big difference. Be conscious when adding the toppings to make sure you don’t over do it or add to much to then make it unhealthy.

I hope I made your taco Tuesday healthier and also yummier! Make this with your friends, family or even boyfriend/girlfriend and they’ll love you forever.

 https://www.skinnytaste.com/turkey-taco-lettuce-wraps-3-pts/