Verse of the Week

My latest craft! I made this for my best friend for her birthday. She had pinned it on pinterest recently. 

I already had the ivory spray paint, the chalkboard spray paint, and ribbon. I bought the frame for $4...it was half off at Michaels. I bought the back board for $4 and the gold paint pen for $4 at Michaels. I will be able to use the paint pen for many other projects, in fact I am using it right now!! This little project came out to less than $10. It was very easy to make. The hardest part was writing with the paint pen. I have THE worst handwriting on the planet and I was so nervous I was going to mess it up! 

I only got this picture with my old cell phone. You get the idea though!

Apple Ginger Ale Juice

Made another juice tonight for dinner. Using the same picture from yesterday since it looks exactly the same! This one has ginger in it which is good with all the beans we have been eating lately!! :) 

Apple Ginger Ale Juice

1/2 of a fresh beet ( antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support)

3 small gala apples and 2 small granny smith apples (regulate your blood sugar and good fiber source)

3 stems of kale (cholesterol-lowering, risk-lowering benefits for cancer, support for the body's detoxification system, avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress)

1 tbsp size of fresh ginger (alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, very potent anti-inflammatory compounds, may also inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, kill ovarian cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, Immune Boosting Action)

1/2 of a lemon (Phytonutrients with Antioxidant and Antibiotic Effects, help fight cancers of the mouth, Protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Red Pineapple Juice

I love to juice. It makes me feel good. When I juice I feel like I am drinking a salad bar and can feel myself get healthy right away!

My husband and I have been juicing for a while. We bought the Jack Lalane Juicer about 7 years ago. It's not something we do often, but I intend to try it at least once a week from here on out. 

The best part about juicing for me is that I get to put veggies in my juice that I would NEVER eat. Plus, you are eating these vegetables in raw form. 

Red Pineapple Juice (Makes 2 glasses) 

1/2 of a fresh beet ( antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support)

2 cups of fresh pineapple (Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive Benefits, Antioxidant Protection and Immune Support, 

3 gala apples (regulate your blood sugar and good fiber source)

4-5 stems of kale (cholesterol-lowering, risk-lowering benefits for cancer, support for the body's detoxification system, avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress)

Add all to your juicer and Voila! All those benefits in a glass! And, it tastes amazing. Trust me, I wouldn't drink it if it wasn't good! 

Clean and Vegan Pesto

Tonight I made some yummy pesto. I made it without parmesan so it's vegan and on top of that it's clean! 

I added it to some whole wheat angel hair pasta with sautéed gourmet mushroom blend, kalamata olives, and sundried tomatoes. It was super yummy and quick and easy for a busy night!

Vegan/Clean Pesto

Handfull of fresh basil leaves...about 1/2 cup

1/4 cup of pine nuts

3 garlic cloves

3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until creamy. 

Vegan and Clean Brown Rice Breakfast Pudding

I found a recipe for a clean and vegan brown rice pudding on line. I need some variety in my breakfast and this hit the spot. 

My husband grew up eating white rice with milk, butter, and sugar.....GROSS!!!! That just sounds disgusting to me. When I saw this recipe, it sounded much healthier and I thought I would give it a try.

I used 100% maple syrup instead of honey and when I plated it, I added a drizzle of the syrup, more cinnamon, chopped pecans, chopped dates, and golden raisins to add some tart to it. 

My husband loved it and it made a ton so we have leftovers for the rest of the week.

Vegan and Clean Shepherds Pie

I think this is my best creation to date. First of all it's vegan, second of all it's 99% clean. The only thing that makes it not clean is the veggie crumbles I used and the vegan cheese. And for all I know, they are actually clean I just didn't know what some of the ingredients were on the list.

This shepherds pie has so much flavor and tastes like a homemade pot pie. I think I could eat it everyday. My husband agrees! Such a good husband he is!!

Vegan Shepherds Pie

Filling

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup of diced onions

4 minced cloves of garlic

8oz of baby bella mushrooms chopped

1.5 cups of vegetable stock

1 tsp of dried thyme

1/2 tsp of dried sage

salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp of whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk

12oz package of frozen mixed veggies (mine had green beans, corn, peas, and carrots)

1/2 cup of veggie crumbles*

Topping

1.5 pounds of red baby potatoes

2 tbsp of olive oil

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk

1/2 cup of vegan cheddar cheese*

salt and pepper to taste

In an extra large skillet on med-low add 2 tbsp of olive oil and diced onions. Cook until they are golden...about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic, mushrooms, sage, thyme and 1/2 cup of vegetable stock. Cook on medium for about 20 minutes stirring often. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of flour over mushrooms and stir until combined. Sprinkle the other tbsp and stir again. It should be getting very thick. Add 1/2 cup of vegetable stock and stir. Add the other cup of vegetable stock and the almond milk and stir. Add the frozen veggies and crumbles and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 10 minutes stirring often. Add the filling to a casserole dish and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350

Cut potatoes in quarters and boil until they are fork tender. Drain and add to a large bowl. With a potato masher, mash them until they are all mashed (not fluffy and creamy, just mashed). Add 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 cup of vegan cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste, and almond milk. With a hand mixer, whisk until creamy. Don't over mix them and make them starchy. There will be chunks of potatoes.

Large spoonfuls at a time, add the potatoes to the filling and spread evenly. Cook on 350 for 40 minutes.

*If you are not concerned about this being vegan, but want it clean, just used cooked ground turkey meat in place of the veggie crumbles and low fat cheddar cheese.

30 days from now.....

And I am back! I took a hiatus for a while. Gained back 6 dreaded pounds. Being the new year, I guess it's a great time to get back at it. 

The next 30 days I am going to give it all I've got!! I signed up for crossfit and I plan on trying out some new recipes.