Three Simple Ways to Eat More Fruits & Veggies!

After paying for a new radiator in my Honda the other day, I thought my car troubles were over. WRONG. I think that purely thinking that was a bad idea- because literally two days later my cute lovable Civic is back in the shop. Poor baby. I hope they take real good care of her over at Woodford Street Garage.

And before I forget, if you have extremely dry lips.. try this stuff. It's called Rose Hip Seed Oil and can also be used for dry scalp and hands.

The oil is from Whole Foods in Portland. Along with using this stuff religiously, blistex works like a charm.

Anyway.. getting to the title of this post. I LOVE fruits and vegetables now. I used to dislike them  and definitely was one of those kids who put sugar on everything- from fresh strawberries from the garden to my bowl of cereal before school in the morning.  Ugh, fatty. haha.

Once when I was little, my dad sneakily put salt in the sugar container. That was a disgusting bowl of frosted flakes- Let me tell you!

Simple Ways to Eat More Veggies

• Eat What You Like: I think it's great to experiment, but sometimes, stick to the original. I love broccoli so I always have fresh broccoli or frozen broccoli to cook up.

• Roast it: Roasting really brings out the flavor in vegetables. I never liked brussel sprouts until I roasted them in olive oil, salt and pepper. Now I LOVE them.

• Hide it: Try a green monster! This delicious concoction is simply

              1 Frozen Banana
              2 Cups Spinach
              Milk (Skim, Almond, Soy all work well!)

              Blend away until smooth in blender.


Oh yes, and I must say- you can't win every nutrition argument. Sometimes, you just gotta give in and let your roomie get some junk food :)

Oh yes, and another wonderful find at Trader Joe's..

This pasta is delicious. I am honestly not a big pasta person- at all- and because of lack of other options made this up one night. It was a little mushy because we overcookied it, but was really good- definitely try it.


I hope you have a wonderful Thursday! xox

These are My Confessions



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 Like my homeboy, Usher, I have some confessions. I am ashamed and guilty as charged.

It wasn't like I intentionally meant too.

I have visited two restaurant establishments and on each occasion, I was camera free.

These restaurants were:

• AURORA PROVISIONS, PORTLAND, MAINE
• AZURE CAFE, FREEPORT, MAINE

Aurora Provisions is a local favorite for sure. Not only do they serve a fabulous lunch (and, presumably, breakfast) they also have an amazing bakery, catering, gourmet to go food, and lots of wine. Its a foodie's dream for sure.

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For lunch, I decided to go with a steaming hot cup of the minestone soup. The soup was full of flavor and was very delicious. I also went with half of the roasted vegetable sandwich on wheat. I asked for it grilled on the panini maker, but it came cold. It was still really yummy and everyone in there was super friendly so I will definitely go back.

***

For lunch at Azure Cafe, we all started off our lunch with a drink. I went with a virgin Bloody Mary-- vodka at noontime on Sunday really isnt my thing :)

For lunch, I ordered the
GRILLED PORTABELLA Marinated, Grilled Portabella with Herbed Ricotta, Roasted Tomatoes & Green Leaf Lettuce 9.<sup>50

I guess they got the vibe that I am not a roasted tomatoes person because there wasnt anyone on my sandwich. Oh well. It was just okay, I wasnt very impressed to be honest with you. The restaurant had a very bar feel instead of lunchy restaurant feel, if that makes sense? My sister's salad and tomato soup were nothin to brag about either..</sup>

Anyway, hope you are all enjoying this fabulous Maine weather ;)

Ho ho ho Holidays



My dad with the maple whiskey I gave him :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday weekend :)

My goofy sister

This weekend was great- good family, good friends and good food.

Babes.

I definitely enjoyed a couple of these beers this weekend. Smuttynose Brewery is located in New Hampshire. All of their beers I have tried I have thoroughly enjoyed and I am not even a huge beer drinker. Try them out. I think this was my favorite label for sure.

Also, make this. It is a Poached pear trifle. It is to die for.

I'll get you the recipe. Made by my momma.



I got plenty of great presents this Christmas including: jewelry, work out shorts, sports bras, Celphalon pans :) (fancy I know!) and some other goodies. Two of my favorites:

This morning, I woke up and all I was craving was something a little more nutrionally sound than all the goodies I had this weekend. I wanted oats, but not the regular peanut butter oats I make. Something a little lighter.

1/2 Cup Oats
3 Dried Apricots, chopped
1/2 Cup Almond Milk

I microwaved the oats for 3 minutes. They were yummy. I felt great after eating them and not weighed down at all.  Instead of adding any honey or maple syrup, the dried apricots plumped up and sweetened the oats. I definitely don't think I need more sugar :)

The almond milk made the oats really creamy without adding many calories or added sugar. Have you tried it? 

Andrew made himself a breakfast that I must say needs documentation. Here is his plate piled high with an onion and cheese omelet, whole-grain quaker oat pancakes, and turkey bacon.

That boy can eat- but I must say he only ate one of the pancakes.

This week, I am going to focus on eating healthy, whole, natural foods and avoid sugar a wee bit. My body just seems off when I don't eat healthy - especially after this holiday weekend.

Also, I havnt really decided yet, but I might try to be vegetarian for a while. Since I have the food processor now, I know it won't be as hard to make protein filled vegetarian dishes. Veggie burgers and hummus come to mind as things I can make with the food processor.

Your thoughts?

I have the day off today so I am going to go to the gym. Have a great day!