The Easiest Stewed Cabbage & Artichoke Recipe

Cabbage is a funny little green veggie that can be hard to figure out how to eat and incorporate into meals. Aside from liking the taste, there’s a lot of positive reasons to eat cabbage. It’s a good source of protein and calcium and is a very good source of dietary fiber and most of the major vitamins. Here is an easy, no hassle way to prepare cabbage that serves as a delicious meal or side dish.

What you need:

1 small cabbage

4-5 artichoke hearts from a can

chili powder (if you like it w a kick)

1 cup of tomato sauce (or stewed tomatoes)

1 cup of water

Rip the leaves of cabbage into smaller pieces and put in a sauce pan with about 1/2 cup of water. Bring the water to a boil and then settle on a simmer. While the cabbage is reducing down sprinkle in some chili powder (I put about a tsp). Once the cabbage is no longer leafy add in the artichoke hearts. Then while the pot is on simmer, pour in the tomato sauce. Add another 1/2 cup of water to the pot. Place a lid on the pot and let sit for about 20 minutes, occasionally stirring. When the cabbag

e and artichoke are done cooking they will be soft and the artichokes will start to fall apart. Drain the liquid from the cabbage (keep a little as “juice”) and you are all done! Serve warm.

BBQ Cauliflower “Wings”

With football season among us beer and wings seem to be the most common Sunday food fair. My dad and I watch every Patriots game together and I can assure you there is never a lack of wings or beer (and gf cider 🙂 ) but in an attempt to be a little more healthy I surveyed Pinterest for ideas. Here is an awesome recipe that I found on pinterest and modified for cauliflower “wings”. While these babies aren’t chicken, they taste amazing and are a fun, healthy, and tasty alternative! I like to make them just to snack on.

Here’s what you will need:

1/2 cup of gluten free flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill)

1/2 cup of water

1 large cauliflower

1 Tbsp of water

1 cup favorite BBQ sauce

Battering the bites

Bake w batter for 30 mins

“BBQing” them

Ready to eat!

Here’s what to do…

 

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a medium/ large mixing bowl whisk the water and flour together until you have a batter.

Separate the cauliflower into bite size pieces and dip the pieces in the batter, covering as much of the cauliflower as possible.

Remove access drippy batter and place the cauliflower bites on a greased cookie pan and put in the over for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl  mix the BBQ sauce of your choice with 1 tbsp of water.

When the cauliflower bites are ready (after 30 minutes) remove from the oven and cover entirely with the BBQ sauce mix. Using a kitchen brush is the most effective way to do this.

Place the bites back in the oven for 10 minutes

You should see the cauliflower start to “bubble” and sizzle after 10 minutes, remove them and let cool.

Enjoy!!!

Caramelized Butternut Squash & Fig

Now that fall is well among us it’s officially squash time! Here’s an easy to make, delicious  and healthy recipe that will liven up any meal. Here ‘s what you will need.

1 Large Butternut Squash 

20 figs

4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

3 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp brown sugar

Here’s What You Do

1. Preheat the over to 350 degrees
2. While the oven is preheating pre-cook the squash for 8 minutes in the microwave.
3. Quarter the figs (so they are cut into 4 pieces each)
4. When the squash is done pre-cooking, hold with a towel (because it will be hot) and slice 1 inch round cuts
5. Dice these pieces into triangles (see pictures)
6. In a sauce pan mix the balsamic vinegar, honey and brown sugar, on low heat and mix slowly. Allow the sauce to caramelize as you slowly mix the ingredients together (this should take about 8 minutes)
7. Place the squash and figs in a baking pan and pour in the sauce until all is covered
8. Bake for 45 minutes

Diced figs

Slicing the squash

Dicing the squash

Caramelizing the sauce

Getting read to put in the oven

All done!

Supporting Those Who Need It The Most: Suicide Prevention

A few friends and I have had the honor of working with the Samaritans for the past several years. The Samaritans, a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention offers a variety of counseling, education, event and support services throughout the greater Boston area. This past weekend was the annual 5k Run/Walk Family Fun Festival honoring victims of suicide and offering support to their families and the community. This year instead of running in it, a few friends and I (and one of my dogs) handed out balloons to people to help brighten their day. We supplied markers so people could write a message or a name on the balloon if they wished and then release the balloon to the sky.

This year’s event was made even more special for me because I met and worked with Carlos Arredondo, most recently made famous for his heroic efforts during the Boston Marathon Bombings. You may remember him on the front page of many newspaper and magazine covers wearing a cowboy hat and jumping in to save people during the explosions that occurred this past April at the Boston Marathon finish line. One image in particular that people may recall is him holding together the artery of a young man who had just had his legs blown off.

By clicking on the link with Carlos’ name you can read his story and better understand why he was also volunteering at the Samaritins’ event. As always, I had a wonderful time at the event and found it a great example of positivity and human compassion. It’s beautiful to see so much love and support among people who had so much to feel sad and depressed about.

Here are a few images from the day

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A Berry Sweet Green Smoothie

I’m all about berries during the summer. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries; you name it I will gladly eat it.

So in the spirit of fresh berries I wanted to make a summery smoothie with one of my all time favorites, blackberries. Below is my recipe for a deliciously sweet and healthy blackberry-induced smoothie.

What You Need:

• About 15 blackberries
• 1 whole orange
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/2 cup spinach (I used spinach and arugula when the pic was taken–stick to just spinach)
• 1/2 cup almond milk

First mix the berries, orange and almond milk. Then once that’s been liquified add in the mango and spinach. If you want the smoothie thicker add a couple of ice cubes to the mix. If you prefer a thinner drink, add a little more almond milk!

BYOB

Nothing like a best friend bringing you a can of “bring your own bears” on a tough day. Maybe not the healthiest, but it did make me smile 🙂 

Flip Belt by Level: The Runner’s Best Friend

I’ve always been one who enjoys a nice run. It eases my mind and helps me relax, plus cardio in the gym every day gets stale quickly. A problem I’ve had that’s deterred me from an outdoor run is how to bring everything I need; keys, iphone, money, etc with me.

In the past I have ran with a small nylon backpack (the draw string type businesses give out, you know what I’m talking about) but I constantly found myself holding the straps to keep them from sliding, which limits my ability to enjoy the run. Quite honestly, it’s also a pain in the ass having everything bouncing around your back while you run. Who likes that?–NOT me.

A friend of mine ran the Boston Marathon this year in April and had mentioned to me the flip belt. At the time I thought it was cool but I was in no hurry to run out and find it. Then, a coworker of mine ran a half marathon and was raving about her awesome new running accessory; the flip belt. I thought okay, fine if two runners I’m friends with love it so much, for $25 I’ll give it a try.

The concept of the belt is simple. It is 25″-48″ inch spandex band that you place on top of your running pants. If you can image the top of a lululemon pant it looks like that. There are slots cut into the band to allow you to stash whatever you need (except water, that is my only complaint). When you flip the belt after inserting all your items, they “lock” into place.

about to head out for a 6 AM run w my flip belt

While on a run the band doesn’t move and somehow doesn’t feel heavy or like its sagging. To put it simply: if you are a runner looking for an effective, lightweight running accessory that doesn’t like ridiculous-BUY THE FLIPBELT.

In all seriousness it has improve my running experience by allowing me to bring with me what I need without weighing me down or making me uncomfortable. It also blends into your outfit seamlessly and while some of you might not care about this, it looks cute.

check it out here!

A Lucky Butterfly

Yesterday I had lunch with a very special friend of mine. As we were catching up on the craziness of life the following extra special life occurrences were brought up: He got a new job, I got a new job, I celebrated my birthday and his sisters are both pregnant. He also told me during the lunch that one of his sisters, who has battled various types of cancer since she was a teen was recently diagnosed with cancer yet again. This time while she is pregnant. As we discussed this very troubling and austere news the above butterfly landed on my napkin. I think it is a sign of good luck.

 I want to share this lucky butterfly with you all, may it bring all the good to your lives.

 

Chopped Summer Salad (with a kick)

Firstly, I want to apologize for royally sucking and not writing in forever. Please forgive me! This past month has been beyond crazy but at the end of it all I now officially have a new job and am a year older 🙂

That being said here’s a quick, fresh salad recipe that makes an awesome and filling lunch or dinner.

Ingredients: 

1/4 an eggplant

1/2 red pepper

1/2 cup of corn

1/2 summer squash

1 vine ripe tomato

1/2 cucumber

4 small slices of hot pepper

3 oz grilled chicken (if wanted)

How to Make It:

Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers,  red pepper and hot pepper and put in a bowl with the corn

Dice the eggplant and summer squash and either bake until cooked (about 15 mins at 350) or sauté in a frying pan for about 5 minutes

Add to the bowl of other ingredients and sprinkle a pinch of salt over everything

Pour onto your plate (and if wanted add grilled chicken)

That’s it— probably the easiest meal ever 🙂

I Dare You to Read This and Not Tear Up!

 http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity