Affordable, Light Eats for the New Year x2!

It's the new year soon! So that means resolutions and all that, correct? How about naaaaah?? Let's stop making resolutions and start living our lives how we know we SHOULD? Ok, that's not going to happen either (heh...heh), but at least we can take control over one thing--our bodies.

Recipe #1 Deets

Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry (low fat, low salt, gluten free, vegan, soy free, free of free, not raw)

4 cups zucchini/squash julienned
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 white onion diced
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
fresh thyme to taste
fresh parsley to taste (I used dried because I didn't have fresh...wah)

- Cover a large frying pan with spray oil and add onion until translucent (medium heat - 3-5 min)
- Throw in carrots and celery--fry for another 5 minutes
- Throw in tomatoes and zucchini--mix, cover, and reduce heat to low--simmer for about 10 minutes until zucchini has softened
- Add thyme/parsley and up heat to medium--fry for another 5 min
- Serve hot
- Smash in face

Recipe #2 Deets

Zucchini Quinoa Soup (free of anything that makes you worry about weight and tum tums)

6 cups low sodium, organic vegetable broth
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 cup white onion (chopped)
1/2 cup carrots (chopped)
1/2 cup celery (chopped)
2 cups zucchini/squash julienned
1 bay leaf

- Placed everything in a large pot on medium/high heat
- Once it boils, reduce to medium/low and cook for 30-40 minutes
- Serve hot
- SMASH IN FACE

GUH! Almost as good as kisses from my baby daughter...if she gave kisses to people and not just inanimate objects...I can dream, right?

Enjoy!

Vegan, Gluten Free Banana Protein Bars!

My step-daughter recently exclaimed, "I want to start eating more healthy! No more rice krispie treats or fruit snacks!" Ok...

The thing is, I have been trying for YEARS to get this child to want to eat more healthy, and all it took was watching Super Size Me in health class. I need to learn to be more tactful and creative when attempting to instill healthy habits on to a teenaged girl. Either way, I'm super glad she has decided, for the most part, to join me with a healthier eating style!

First up: homemade protein bars! Asa, the daughter from another motha', claims she's always tired. I'm thinky thinking it may have a lot to do with lack of a solid, protein-filled breakfast (waffles ain't cuttin' it lady), so why not create something easy peasy, healthy, yummeroo for your mouth buds??

Recipe Deets (makes 6-8 bars)

1 cup gluten free rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash of salt
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond mik (or milk of choice)
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 tbsp agave
1/2 cup mashed banana (about one reg banana)

Choco Drizzle

Handful of non-dairy chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life because they're free of gluten, dairy, and soy)
dab of coconut oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

- Spay a small baking pan (like a bread/loaf pan)
- Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly
- Add to pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
- Set aside to cool
- Once cool, make chocolate drizzle
- Heat choco chips and coconut oil in a small pan, once melted drizzle on top of them thar bars!
- Cut once cool and store in an air tight container either in the fridge or in a cool spot in your winter wonderland home

Now go use that mouth of yours and eat those ba-nay-nay bars!