We Are What We Eat

Thought I'd share this quote I read recently and it really struck a chord with me.  In the last 15 years, I decided to take my health a little more seriously.  It's definately a work in progress but I have to admit that for the most part, my diet consists way more of the nutritional, beneficial, healthy foods and a lot less of the ones that bring no nutrition to the body at all. 

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If you're working on bettering your diet, don't be too hard on yourself.  Take simple steps in the right direction and stay focused.  You'll get there.  I took me some time but I am finally in that place where I know that my body is receiving the nutrition it needs far more than what it doesn't need.  The best to you all in your adventure to better health.

A Taste of Morocco....SPICES!!!

I never thought I would like moroccan spice(s) but this has become one of my favorites.  I grew up on potatoes, meat and vegetables every night.  Very basic but very good.  My mother has always been a great cook.  My dad didn't like spice so meals were mild, but very good.  Did I mention....that they were very good.  I say this cause I know my mother will read this.  That's really not the reason.  It REALLY was good.  Thanks MOM :)   
So it's only been in the last few years that I had decided to live a little, be bold, step out of my comfort zone, and explore the world of SPICES.   Spices are used extensively in Moroccan food.  Some of the common spices include cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, pepper spices, paprika, coriander and saffron. 

Today, I mixed up a bunch of the following spices so I had enough for a few more meals down the road. Here's a list of the spices used and the quantities if you'd like to give it a shot.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.  It's a great combination.  I love the hint of cinnamon with the cayenne and chili pepper.  Don't be afraid of the word CAYENNE OR CHILI pepper.  I always was until I finally tried it.  Boy was I missing out all those years.  Anyways, here's the spice recipe I put together and tonight I tried it on a shwack of veges.  TRY IT......I THINK YOU'LL LIKE (love) IT!!! 

MOROCCAN SPICE MIX

2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp sweet paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp allsprice
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (if you like spicy, add a bit more)
1/2 tsp sugar

Mix together. 
Cut the following vegetables into chunks:
1 red onion
1/2 butternut squash
1/2 yam (pink one)
1/2 sweet potato
1 larger beet
5 carrots
2 parsnips
(I added some radishes too)
Be creative. 
I also steamed some broccoli and added that at the end.
Put all the cut up veges in a bowl, add 1/8 cup of olive or coconut oil as well as the spices.  Toss well.  Put into an 8x8 pan for baking in oven.  Bake at 400 for 30-40 mins.   (this will depend on how big you cut your chunks)  Test them at 30 mins.
As a side dish, I baked salmon, although lamb and chicken are common in the Moroccan world of cooking.


BON APPETITE :)

QUINOA SALAD

QUINOA SALAD

1.5 cups of quinoa

2.5 cups of water

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/8 olive oil

2 cloves of garlic crushed

1/2 tsp oregano

2-3 tsp fresh mint chopped

1/4 cup spinach chopped

1/3 cup minced red onion

1 red pepper diced

1/2 stalk celery diced

1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled

10 pieces of candied ginger chopped up

Soak the quinoa in cold water for five minutes.  Drain and rinse.  Put it in a pot with the water and bring to a boil.  Put tight fitting lid on it and Boil for 5 mins then put on simmer for 15 mins.  Remove and let sit with lid still on for another 5 mins.  Pour into a larger bowl and toss with fork.  Let it cool.  Add the ingredients above and toss.  When ready to serve, add the following:  About 15 little grape tomatoes chopped in half - 1/2 cup toasted walnuts chopped (I toast them in the frying pan with a bit of coconut oil).  Decorate with a sprig of mint.  

ENJOY!!!

 

Quinoa? What the Heck isThat?

Quinoa.....how do you even pronounce it?  Quinoa has the most protein of any grain. It is deemed as gluten free as it really is a seed from a grain.  It's a great source of vitamins, minerals, iron, magnesium, Vit E, potassium, amino acids and fiber.  It's great for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets...or not :)  

It's Prounounced 'keen wah.'  

Its easy to cook.  Let it sit in a pot of cold water for 5 minutes.  This is to remove any chaff or dust that remains on the quinoa.  To drain, either use a fine mesh strainer or use your hands to toss and pour off water carefully.  Most stores now sell it pre-rinsed and dried so be sure to read the label.    To cook:

Put 1.5 cups of water in a pot with 1 cup of quinoa and 1/4 tsp of salt (if desired)

Bring to a boil, cover with tight fitting lid and then turn down to simmer.  Cook for 15 minutes.

                                 

Remove from heat and allow it to sit five more minutes with lid on.  Fluff with a fork and eat hot or cool to use it in salads, stir frys, burgers and in many more recipes

Quinoa is an ancient food that is not yet well known in North America. It's been cultivated in the South American Andes since at least 3,000 B.C. and has been a staple food of millions of native inhabitants. The ancient Incas called quinoa the "mother grain" and revered it as sacred. Each year at planting time it was traditional for the Inca leader to plant the first quinoa seed using a solid gold shovel! Quinoa was used to sustain Incan Armies who frequently marched for many days eating a mixture of quinoa and fat, known as "war balls." Click Here for more info on quinoa.

 

The next entry will be a recipe I made with quinoa and it was awesome.  A very simple dish called "Quinoa Salad"  I've included the recipe and a picture I took of it.  Enjoy!

CHASING CARS by SNOW PATROL

 

I love this song.....

 

We'll do it all, everything, on our own

We don't need, anything, or anyone

If I lay here, If I just lay here, Would you lie with me
And just forget the world.

I don't quite know how to say how I feel 

Those three words are said too much, they're not enough.
If I lay here, If I just lay here, Would you lie with me
And just forget the world?

Forget what we're told before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
Let's waste time, Chasing cars, Around our heads,
I need your grace, To remind me, To find my own
If I lay here, If I just lay here, Would you lie with me 

And just forget the world?

Forget what we're told, Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life
All that I am, All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see
I don't know where, Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
If I lay here, If I just lay here, Would you lie with me

and just forget the world?  Check it Out Here!

POPCORN.....Yummmmmy!

Who doesn't love popcorn?  It's probably one of my favorite treats.  Gotta have it at least once a week.  I find the best taste is by using melted coconut oil (major health benefits) and nutritional yeast.  Coconut oil is probably one of the healthiest oils on the planet.  My popcorn maker needs help.  It always creates such a mess but it's well worth chasing the kernels and popped ones afterwards.  Towards the end kernels start popping once they've reached the bowl and they fly everywhere.  Try it, I hopeyou'll love it as much as I do. Click Here to read up on the benefits of coconut oil  There's so much more to this oil than you would ever have guessed.

WOW!!! It's All About The Color

COLOR....This is a good thing.
Don't you just wanna eat the picture? Now I'd like you to believe that this is all I buy when I shop but I'd be lying.  The reason......I hate green peppers.  Oh, and the other reason.  I love chocolate....and
lots of other things too.  I've especially come to reallly love fruits and veges.  When I come home with bags full from a local market, I literally feast on as much "goodness" as I can wolf down.  There's just something so enticing about fresh raw food.  No self control here.