Friday, May 17, 2013

Low Calorie Tuna Salad Wrap


Tuna salad sandwiches have always been my favorite, but traditional tuna salad is high in calories from the mayo. This wrap is 240 scrumptious wholesome calories.

If you are not a tuna fan, you can easily use canned chicken instead of tuna. You can change this recipe up to include what you like in a tuna salad. I am a plain Jane when it comes to my tuna salad. I like dill pickles, lettuce, and mayo. However I do not use traditional store bought mayo. I make my own out of Greek yogurt. It tastes the same to me and has 15 calories per serving compared to 90 per serving of regular mayo. I have included the recipe for my Greek yogurt mayo below. I make up a tub of it and use it in all the recipes that call for mayo. It is a huge calorie saver and very tasty! Yes I have tried veganaise and all the other low calorie stuff out there, and I don't care for it.

Now on to the wraps. I use a gluten-free wrap that has flax in it. It is 100 calories per wrap and they are high in protein and fiber. I have a local organic stand here that sells them. If you don't have access to them, then you can go to trader joes, they have two different gluten-free wraps. Or you can make your own using this recipe: gluten free wraps.

Low Calorie Gluten-Free Tuna Salad Wrap
1 TBSP Greek Yogurt Mayo (recipe below)
1 5 ounce can tuna in water (drained)
Romaine Lettuce
Dill Pickles
1 gluten free wrap or gluten free tortilla
*optional: tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts... whatever you like!

Greek Yogurt Mayo:
1 24oz tub of plain Greek yogurt
The juice of one lemon
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Stir all together and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Mix one 5 ounce can of tuna with 1 TBSP greek mayo. 

Wrap up and serve!

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Thursday, May 16, 2013

Healthy Products Spotlight


From time to time on here I like to highlight products that go above and beyond to make our food and homes safe. 

Today I wanted to take a second to tell you about iGOZEN and Corn-n-Tater™




I absolutely love what iGOZEN s doing. They make an organic cleaner for fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and even your kitchen counter. 

iGOZEN is 100% safe to use around children and pets. iGOZEN is hypoallergenic and a non-toxic organic cleaner.

There are no soaps to cover or fill porous substances. No perfumes to cover up natural smells. There is absolutely no odor at all.

When you clean with IGOZEN, the area where you clean will smell exactly like it supposed to – wood smells like wood, stone, metal, fabrics and plastics simply smell clean.

There are no chemical off gasses and the IGOZEN will not leave a soap scum. Polish with a damp microfiber towel after cleaning to leave a sparkling shine.

You no longer need to be concerned about chemicals from any cleaner soaking into your skin. You do not need to wear gloves or be concerned with breathing chemical toxins used to clean your home.

I did receive a sample from iGOZEN to try. I was thrilled with the results in both cleaning my home and cleaning my food. 
iGOZEN has been independently tested by laboratories in the U.S. to be an effective organic cleaner.Specific bacteria and pesticides that are most commonly found in our food and in our homes were tested with iGOZEN to conclude an exact elimination percentage as scientifically proven. You can see the findings here: http://www.igozen.com/benefits/

You can buy yours here: http://www.igozen.com/shop/

They have 3 different cleaners

Everyday Cleaner - Cleans household items of metal, plastic, ceramic, granite, quartz, wood, stone and any washable surfaces. Excellent for kitchen countertops, cutting boards, appliances, toilets, bathtubs, interior of automobile, floorings, and anywhere you want to be sure of a safe, pure clean.

Fruit/Veg Cleaner - Cleans fruits and vegetables of toxins, pesticides and bacteria. Proven to eliminate 99.9% of e-coli, salmonella bacteria and more.

Meat/Fish Cleaner - Cleans all types of meats, poultry, and fish of toxins, pesticides and bacteria. Proven to eliminate 99.9% of e-coli, salmonella bacteria, and more.

I am passionate about cutting chemicals in our food and homes. I give this product two thumbs up!

I also wanted to tell you about Corn-n-Tater™. The Corn-n-Tater™ bag is a microwaveable cooking bag that retains food's moisture and flavor due to its cotton and bamboo materials. Your food will be cooked to perfection every time!
It's great for potatoes, corn on the cob, broccoli, peppers, tortilla shells, bread and more.
The Corn-n-Tater™ bag is reusable and easy to clean - Just machine wash in cold and air-dry as necessary.
It is completely free of Bisphenol A (BPA) chemicals, which are found in many other kitchenware products
You can get yours here: http://www.homecookedshortcuts.com

Healthy Raw Carrot Cake Bars


How is everyone doing on their healthy eating trail? We are doing fabulous over here! I am full of energy and loving it!
 It is time for me to share with you another wonderful healthy treat! If you like carrot cake, you are going to LOVE this bar! My husband who is always the skeptic said he likes this bar more than actual carrot cake. It is full of all things wholesome. You will feel like you just had a great dessert, when in reality you had a salad! 

Healthy Raw Carrot Cake Bars
adapted from Move Nourish Believe

1 cup almonds
1/2 cup pecans
1 cup medjool dates (pitted)
1/2 cup dried coconut flakes
1/2 cup gluten free oats
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/4 cup water
3 cups raw grated carrots

Add almonds, pecans, and dates to your food processor or blender. Process for about 30 seconds. 
Add coconut, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the food processor or blender. process for another 30 seconds stopping halfway through to scrape down the sides. Add carrots and water and process for another 30 seconds, stopping halfway through to scrape down the sides. 
Press into a baking pan lined with parchment paper. 
Put in the freezer for 2 hours before cutting. Remove from freezer and cut into servings. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze for up to 6 months. Serve cold. Enjoy!

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Lemon Garlic and Herb Halibut


Yesterday I brought you a scrumptious healthy recipe for Apple Pie Larabar's. It was an instant hit. I have not had that many instant hits since my recipe for cheesy garlic cauliflower bread! That shows me that a lot of you are struggling to find healthy food like I am. I am excited to be on this journey with all of you! 

I have a really hard time getting motivated to exercise. I love to walk. So walking is never a problem. It is the yoga, sit-ups, and all the other stuff I can't stand. I try really hard to have two different activities per day that will get my heart up and going. One thing I did was stop buying my groceries ahead of time. I now walk every day to the store. I have an organic market that is just two blocks away. So that isn't enough, but just getting out, makes me more energetic and I then am able to do my sit-ups and yoga. I wish I was one of those people that couldn't wait to do exercise. Since I am not, I find exercise in my daily living. Instead of taking the trolley, I walk, ride my bike etc.. When i can, I take the stairs instead of the elevator. I will get back in shape slowly but surely!

My husband is on this "get fit" journey with me too. He was afraid that none of the food would taste good. He thought giving up the bad foods meant no flavor. Healthy living does not have to be tasteless. There are plenty of yummy herbs and spices to bring out the flavors you love.  
This fish dish is healthy, lite and full of natural flavors. Enjoy! 

Gluten-Free Lemon Garlic and Herb Halibut
Makes 4 servings

1 1/2 lbs halibut
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 Tablespoons italian seasoning or your favorite fresh herbs

Place all the marinade ingredients in a large ziploc bag and shake or squeeze to mix. Add the fish to the bag and then seal it, removing as much air as possible. Gently squeeze to make sure all pieces are covered in the marinade. Lay the bag flat in the refrigerator and allow it to marinate for an hour or two.
Preheat the oven to broil. Line a large baking sheet with foil and then transfer the fish to the baking pan. 
Broil for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. 
The fish should be firm and almost flaking. I serve mine with long grain brown rice with a side spinach salad. 

Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Raw Vegan Apple Pie Protein bars

 

As most of you know, I took a week off from blogging to start a cleanse and focus on getting back in shape. Balance is a huge thing for me, and when I feel things getting out of balance, it is time to take a step back, do a little self reflection, and get back in balance. I am super blessed to have a very active life. We have a lot of friends and family that come visit and that can really get hard because we go out and have fun and usually that means food and drinks, and that adds to my waistline. I am not heavy, or even really overweight. I am just average. I do however, always have to watch my weight. When I cook and bake I have to pass over a lot of what I make, in order to stay a healthy weight.

Nobody likes the term "diet". I don't really diet for the most part. I usually just balance out my life. Sometimes when it gets out of balance I need a jump start to get back to the healthy living lifestyle I thrive in. For me that means more yoga and less cooking. For others it may mean less tv and more sit-ups. Not everyone is the same. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. My weakness is a fully stocked kitchen. For someone else it may be sitting in front of the TV watching Downton Abbey. I am not saying you can't do the things you love. I am just saying, you need to balance it out with things that keep your body healthy. Get out! Walk, run, swim, squat, lunge, play, paddleboard, garden, dance. 

So now that my healthy living is back in balance. I am going to be sharing with you some healthy alternatives for those times you would have had something not so healthy. There are a lot of healthy alternatives out on the market in pre-packaged form. LÄRABAR® is a big one. LÄRABAR® is a delicious blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices. Made from whole food, each flavor contains no more than nine ingredients. Pure and simple, just as nature intended. They are all Gluten Free. They have no gluten-containing ingredients, and they have manufacturing controls in place to ensure that there are no cross-contact concerns. I was not sent samples nor do I work for LÄRABAR®. I just think they are a good product out there for when you have a sweet tooth. They taste like a dessert, yet they are so healthy for you! They are under 200 calories and full of protein and fiber. No life is complete without a treat, and with these healthy treats out there, it helps keep you away from things you shouldn't be eating.

That being said, I hardly ever buy packaged food. Any excuse to get in my kitchen, I take it. So today I am going to make homemade Apple Pie bars, made the LÄRABAR® way. They are cheaper, save on packaging and you can make a lot of them ahead of time. These are perfect for all of our sailing shenanigans. They make a great addition to lunch. So for all of you out there that struggle with finding healthy gluten-free options for on the go living. These are for you! 


Over the next week or two I will be bringing you many yummy protein bars that taste like a dessert. but are actually a healthy meal or snack. Again, these are Raw, Vegan, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free. 

Vegan, Raw, Gluten-Free Apple Pie Larabar
This recipe makes 6 larabars


1/4 cup organic medjool dates, pitted
3/4 cup dried organic apple slices
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon



Soak the dried apples in warm water for 5-10 minutes. 
Meanwhile, gather remaining ingredients and pour into a food processor.
Drain the fruit and add to the food processor. Process for 30 – 60 seconds or until the mixture sticks together when pinched with your fingers.
Pour into a loaf pan and press firmly into bars with a spatula. Chill for 10 minutes and then cut into 6 bars. Store refrigerated for up to two weeks or package them in air-tight containers, freeze, and store for up to six months.
Don't forget you can order my cookbook HERE!
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