Quotes

Is it weird to start adding quotes to my recipe blog? Hmm well too bad. For the past year I have been making a daily effort to become a better person. Not that I was a bad person to begin with but I feel like everyone has something they can work on & don't we all want to be the best us? My first "goal" was to become more positive. I was actually kind of surprised to learn that this is not some goal you can just achieve. Just when you think "I've done it, I've got it down" something tests you and you slip back to simple thoughts of human nature...or try to help a coworker feel better by complaining with them...or get frustrated at the car that cut you off. There are many small things in this world that I never even realized test your positivity or growth in general. So I broadened my "goal" to ACTIVELY trying to be a better person in some way each and every day. I use goal in quotes because I've always learned that goals need to be measurable. There is no way of measure or meeting this goal. It is a lifelong plan. I also use actively in all caps because I realize it is something that takes work, thought, and diligence. And by work I mean work! I have to recenter myself often and I have to empty my cup of whatever is weighing on me often....but it is being aware of this that is the process. Sooo with that being said - I love quotes. I write things that touch me in a notebook a dear friend gave me once. I read through favorite quotes often to recenter myself. I google quotes on certain topics when I find I need something in particular. Quotes can come from books, cards, songs, speakers, scriptures, words from a friend, something that pops into your head, anywhere! A dear friend...who is a fellow quote lover and soul builder... also gave me a book for my birthday called The Book of Awakening. Sometimes I love some of these passages and just feel like sharing. Sometimes I read a great quote that I just want to remember forever. Too many friends on Facebook for this, too many words for Twitter....so I thought - can I add quotes to my recipe blog? My answer....why not, it's my blog! I can do what I want!!

"Those who truly love us will never knowingly ask us to be other than we are" - Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

Chickpea and Lentil Stew

This is a recipe I got from Whole Foods. If you like Indian flavorings/spices, in specific garam masala, this is an easy & delicious dish to try. And as with many Indian dishes you can adjust the level of spicy to fit what you like! Or take out the chile pepper & sub with bell pepper if you want no spice at all. -- [side note: this recipe is for a crock pot but I just boiled/simmered on the stove until the lentils were cooked and it was good]

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 chile pepper, such as serrano or jalapeno, stemmed, seeded and chopped, more to taste
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons garam masala
1/4 cup sesame seeds [didn't use]
2 (15-ounce) cans garbanzo beans (chick peas) [recipe said to drain, I put the liquid in my stew]
1/2 cup dried red lentils [used green lentils, came out fine]
1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree [tomato sauce is fine]
2 cups vegetable broth
1/4 cup pitted black olives
1/2 cup yogurt

Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions. Add peppers, garlic, garam masala and sesame seeds and cook until peppers begin to soften. Combine everything except the yogurt in the slow cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Add yogurt about 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition - Per serving: 250 calories (90 from fat), 10g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 680mg sodium, 33g total carbohydrate (8g dietary fiber, 9g sugar), 11g protein

Diet changes to help acne

Question from a reader:

As a teen and even up until a few years ago I had great skin. People would say it looked like porcelain...I never had so much as a blemish growing up. But now, NOW I am break out city. It's pretty much my entire forehead and t-zone. The forehead is the worst and along my chin/neck. It's horrible. I hate it and I've tried every acne product (aside from prescription strength). I've been researching diet modifications as a way to clear up my skin...and there's so much out there...so many differing views. I've cut out soda and have started to limit dairy and increase fruits/veg (especially orange vegs). I've also increased my water intake. I'm sure a lot of it is hormonal (I'm going to get them checked at my annual), but any diet suggestions??

Answer:

Off the top of my head the number one thing I ALWAYS hear is get rid of the processed foods. I looked into it some more and you're definitely on the right path. Cut out as much sugar and refined foods as possible. Increasing your orange veggies is good because Vit A is suppose to help. Basically nutrients that are antioxidants or anti-inflammatory so Vit A, C, E, zinc, selenium, and omega 3 fatty acids. Also making sure you get your B Vitamins, esp Vit B5 (pantothenic acid). I also saw a lot of stuff that says probiotics help, so you can eat those in many products or as a supplement. So from a nutrition standpoint I would decrease as much "junk" as possible and increase the fruits & veggies as well as probably take a multivitamin just to be sure you're getting what you need. I did also see that aspartame could cause acne so I think that's a good thing to try to take out.

Another thing I found very interesting is that a soy sensitivity/allergy can cause acne. Soy (processed form) is in EVERYTHING now if you eat process foods or eat out often. Its also something that can kind of build up when you don't even realize its in the things you're eating.

Also, my friend uses coconut oil to moisturize her face! Sounds a little scary but she swears by it.

And then obviously some think the food/acne correlation is a myth but I approach things wanting to try a natural path first and think everything we put in our body is important. Plus making healthy changes won't hurt & will only help in other areas so its worth a shot!

Kale Chips

I've been wanting to try these for quite some time now and have just forgotten or never gotten around to it. I burnt some of mine a little so next time I won't bake them quite so long [or maybe a lower temp]. The ones that weren't burnt were tasty & kinda fun to eat. Not sure how often I'll actually make this since I learned that I actually love the taste of raw kale. For those of you who haven't had it, it tasted like broccoli but in lettuce form!

Remove thick steam from kale. Tear kale leaves into smaller pieces. Sprinkle/mist with olive oil & sprinkle with salt and/or seasonings of choice. Spread on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for ~10 minutes.

PS - My views on food and how/what we should eat coming soon....I just know it'll take a little longer to write so I haven't written it yet. But many people ask...which is good seeing as how I am a dietitian and all :)

Creamy Polenta with Goat Cheese

Quite simple but OBSESSED with goat cheese so I had to try!

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
4 ounces goat cheese

Directions:
Bring 4 ½ cups water to a boil.
Add cornmeal to the water in a thin stream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, adding salt and extra tablespoons of water as needed. [or use the instant polenta & it takes ~1 minute]
When polenta is done, stir in butter and goat cheese. Check seasonings, and add salt to taste.

Confessions

-I can't follow a recipe. I just can't. I try and try but have yet to follow a recipe exactly. Funny you may say for a girl who posts recipes on a blog huh? I try to tell you when I change stuff up if it makes it healthier or better but sometimes I just don't say anything and let you do your thing if you try something on here.

-On that note, I also make up lots of stuff. I look in my fridge and pantry and throw stuff together. Usually it turns up good, sometimes not that wonderful. And that stuff rarely makes it on the blog.

-I use Julio's Seasoning in a TON of the recipes I make and almost always when I make caramelized shallots/onions. That includes many of those on here and I've never mentioned it because I'm guessing most people don't own it. Sorry :/

-I just tried to turn down the volume on the music playing on my computer with my tv remote. Well I was confessing....

Veggie-Lentil Enchiladas

This recipe was shared (& highly recommended) by a co-worker of mine. I made it for dinner tonight and I have to agree it was pretty good. A great option for some vegetarian enchiladas with more substance!

Veggie-Lentil Enchiladas

1 ⅓ cups Water
½ cup Dry Lentils
¼ teaspoon(s) Salt
8 6-inch Flour Tortillas
2 Medium Carrots, Thinly Sliced
1 ½ teaspoon(s) Chili Powder
1 ½ teaspoon(s) Ground Cumin
1 Medium Zucchini, Quartered Lengthwise, Sliced
14 ½ ounce(s) Mexican-Stye Stewed Tomatoes
6 ounce(s) Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350℉

In a medium saucepan combine water, lentils, and salt. Bring to boiling, and then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Wrap tortillas in foil, heat in oven for 10 minutes or until warm. Spray 2 quart rectangular baking dish with non-stick coating.

In a large skillet stir fly carrots, chili powder, and cumin in hot oil for about 2 minutes. Add zucchini, stir fry for 2-3 more minutes or until tender crisp. Remove from heat. Stir in the lentils, half of the undrained stewed tomatoes and half of the cheese.

Spoon vegetable/lentil mixture onto the tortillas, divide evenly. Roll tortillas, place seem side down in the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 8 minutes. Remove foil, bake for 8-12 minutes or until heated through and tortillas are crisp.

In a small saucepan heat the remaining undrained stewed tomatoes. Spoon over the enchiladas. Top with remaining cheese and bake until cheese is melted.