Asparagus, Mushroom, Pesto topped Cauliflower Crust Pizza

I had been debating all week how to use my asparagus, cauliflower and fresh tomatoes that I bought from the local farmer's market, when it hit me, combine them all in a garden fresh pizza! One of the things I love about making your own food, is seeing it go from individual ingredients into a beautiful finished meal, all parts combined to create a delicious healthy work of "food art"! lol 

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

Half a head of Cauliflower

2 egg whites

1/2 cup light mozzarella cheese

3 Garlic cloves, minced

Dash of Basil and Oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

Toppings:

Pesto

Light Mozzarella Cheese

1 cup Mushrooms, roughly chopped

1 small organic tomato

1/8 cup sun dried tomatoes

12 stalks of Asparagus

Splash of Truffle infused olive oil - or regular olive oil

Toppings I would have added had they been on hand:

Crumbled goat cheese

Balsamic glaze drizzled over the top

Fresh spinach leaves

Sauteed Zucchini or Yellow Squash

So many options, I might just have to make another one next week!

Recipe feeds two slightly hungry people or one ravenously starving individual, like myself, after a hard workout.. Yes, I ate the whole thing.. couldn't help myself! You can increase the amount of cauliflower and add an extra egg white and a little more cheese to make a larger pizza!

Instructions:

A. Pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees

1. Rice the Cauliflower: Divide the half head of Cauliflower into large florets and put them a few cups at a time into the the Vitamix on low, using the dowel to push them down into the blades. This can be done in a food processor or using a cheese grater, although the Vitamix is by far the easiest and fastest way to "rice" the cauliflower.

2. Once the Cauliflower is "riced", I microwaved it in bowl for a minute to soften it, before adding in the egg whites, minced garlic, mozzarella cheese, and the spices.  Mix thoroughly.

3. Line a large baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, and spray it liberally with nonstick cooking spray. I have missed this step too many times to count and ended up with a pizza crust that wont come off the paper, and your whole pizza/dinner is ruined.. Moral of the story, use nonstick spray every time, as the cheese which is the glue the holds the crust together, also acts as a glue with the wax paper, foil, or parchment paper.. moving on...

4. Transfer the pizza crust mixture onto the baking sheet and pat down into a pizza shaped crust, so its about a half an inch thick and round.. or square if you like too 

5. Put your pizza crust into the oven to bake for 30 minutes until your crust is barely golden brown and looks like a solid pizza crust

6. While the pizza crust is baking, chop the mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, and add them to a pan to saute with the stalks of asparagus tossed on top

7. Drizzle with olive oil, or in this case I used truffle infused olive oil, and cover with the lid to keep in the moisture, toss a few times, and after about ten minutes take them off the medium heat

8. Once the pizza crust is finished baking, top with pesto as the base, sprinkle on the mozzarella cheese, top with the sauteed mushroom and sun dried tomato mix, place freshly chopped tomatoes on top of them, and then finish with the sauteed asparagus stalks. 

9. Place your pizza with the toppings back in the oven to bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted.

10. Remove pizza from the oven, slice and enjoy! 

Cauliflower Quinoa Fried 'Rice'

I have been thinking about making this cauliflower quinoa fried 'rice' all week! Mentally checking off that the necessary ingredients were stocked, salivating over the impending deliciousness to come during spin class this afternoon, and finally enjoying the end result!

Fried Rice is something I usually only get when I'm out for Chinese food or at those Japanese Hibachi restaurants. Generally it's something of special treat or indulgence, but this is a healthy recipe I could eat all day long! The best part, is that it's actually good for you, it's full of healthy nutrients and protein, via the quinoa, as well as as many veggies as you want to throw in! I used what I like, but feel free to just use this as a jumping off point and add whatever veggies you like! The more ways you can incorporate vegetables into your diet the healthier you will be! I love that the 'rice' portion of this meal is actually a vegetable and protein filled grain, not a starchy white carbohydrate!

This is definitely a feel good meal!

Ingredients:

1 small Cauliflower (riced)

3 cups cooked Quinoa, I used tri-color

1/2 Yellow Onion

2 stalks Green Onion

3 cloves Garlic

2 cups Mushrooms, roughly chopped

Large handful Broccoli, roughly chopped

I cup carrots, diced

2 large Eggs

1 TBSP fresh Ginger

Cilantro for added flavor

Sesame oil, a few splashes, probably 3-4 TBSP

Soy sauce, a couple swirls, yes I'm making up my own cooking terms.. Going to need a glossary to keep track

Siracha sauce, if desired!

 

Directions:

A. Cook the quinoa, I used my leftovers from the previous night, which made the process much quicker!

1. Mince the garlic, ginger, chop the onions, and sauté them in a large pan with a tbsp of sesame oil

2. As the onions start to appear translucent, add in the chopped mushrooms, carrots and broccoli to begin to cook along with a splash of soy sauce

3. Meanwhile roughly chop the cauliflower, and add 2 cups worth at a time into the Vitamix blender on the lowest speed, and using the dowel, push the cauliflower into the blades to 'rice' it. Once all the cauliflower has been finely grated into rice size pieces, you can transfer it and the cooked quinoa into a large sauce pan or wok

4. Add the eggs to the veggie mixture and allow them to cook thoroughly

5. As the 'Rice' aka cauliflower and quinoa combination is heating up, add a tbsp or two of the sesame oil and a swirl of soy sauce to the pan

6. Once the veggie mixture and eggs are completely cooked, transfer them into the pot or wok with the 'Rice' and stir together, add in cilantro and Siracha if desired!

7. Allow ingredients to heat for a few more minutes until pipping hot

8. Serve and enjoy!

 

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Fueled with Fiber a Green Smoothie

Today was a great Monday, how often can you say that and actually mean it? I LOVE waking up on a Monday and not having to go into work! Thank you Martin Luther King day, it was amazing being able to start my day with a 4 mile beach run and a delicious green smoothie! Happy Monday!

Ingredients:

2 fresh picked oranges

1 banana

1 carrot

1 slice fresh ginger

1 cup kale

1 cup broccoli slaw or florets

1 cup strawberries

1 cup frozen mango and pineapple chunks

1 tablespoon chia seeds

A few ice cubes

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into the blender

2. Starting with the peeled oranges at the bottom of the blender to make the juice that will ease the blending process for the rest of the ingredients

3. Make sure the frozen ingredients are near the top so the blender has a chance to adequately blend all the other ingredients before it becomes a frozen treat with bits of unblended kale throughout.

4. Turn on the blender and blend for few minutes until smooth

5. Enjoy your delicious and filling, fiber filled smoothie!

6. Be happy that you are feeding your body vital nutrients it needs to excel, strengthen your immune system, and be happy healthy human being :)

 

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Acai Berry Bowl

I am obsessed with Backyard bowls, which have the most amazing selection of acai bowls in Santa Barbara (http://www.backyardbowls.com/acai_bowls.html) but unfortunately I can't afford to buy one everyday, so I figured as they post their menu online, I can just make them myself! And then tweak them of course to the foods I have on hand or what I prefer! Muchhh cheaper and you feel very accomplished after creating this masterpiece of deliciousness! As an added bonus acai berries are very healthy for you! Score!
Ingredients
Base:
1 Samazon Acai berry smoothie pack (found in the frozen fruit section of whole foods, Costco, and most grocery stores)
1 cup of frozen fruit (strawberries, mango, pineapple, etc)
1/2 banana
1 cup apple juice
Toppings:
1/2 cup granola
1/2 banana, sliced
1/4 cup Goji berries
Drizzle of honey
Instructions:

1. In your blender, I use my Vitamix, (which is probably my most prized possession but more on that later) combine the base ingredients.
2. Break up the frozen acai berry smoothie pack before placing it in the blender for ease of blending
3. Add in your frozen fruit and half banana
4. Pour in one cup of apple juice, you want just enough to ease the blending process but not enough that it becomes a smoothie
5. Place your base into a bowl and top with granola
6. Chop up your remaining half banana and place it on top of the granola
7. Top with remaining fruit and goji berries
8. Drizzle with honey for an extra dose of sweetness (totally not necessary)

Other toppings:
1/4 cup candied walnuts, chopped
1 cup blackberries
1 cup strawberries, chopped
1 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon of raw organic cacao nibs

Or combine as many of them as you like together, if you are feeling especially indulgent!

Viola! There you have it, a decadent acai berry bowl that will amaze your taste buds!

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Why I love Rice Vinegar..

After college I realized I needed to start making better food choices, as the ones I the ones I were making weren't doing my body any favors. Soon after I discoved my local Farmers Market was every Tuesday night and began buying local fresh produce weekly on my walk home from work. It was then, that I became obsessed with salads, I would make them for lunch and dinner most days, and the change in my body was immediate, I felt better, my skin looked better, I had more energy, I was addicted to salad.

Actually, I still am. Initially, I expirimented with different types of dressings, but didn't want anything too laden with oil and fats, as that defeats the purpose of salad.. until I eventually came across rice vinegar!

Rice Vinegar- Let me count the ways in which I love thee..

1. It's delicious! It is very flavorful and can be used on its own as salad dressing or seasonsing for your veggies!
2. Contains very few calories -  only 25 in a half cup!
3. It's low in sodium
4. Great source of Iron and Potassium
5. Helps to maintain a health immune system, one of the most benificial qualities of rice vinegar is its composition of essential amino acids, which help fight free redicals.
6. Shown to be helpful in lowering blood glucose levels
7. It aids in nutrient absorption, due to its content of acetic acid, which helps with digestive health by increasing the body's ability to asorb nutrients from foods. Vitamins and minerals are more easily absorbed from foods that are collectovely consumed with rice vinegar. 
8. Without rice viegar there would be no sushi!!!!
9. Powerful antiseptic -  It kills on contact, dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and streptococcus.

Yes, I do buy it buy the gallon, I go through it so fast, that the small bottles just don't do it for me anymore. I encourage you to try some on you salad tonight!

Further reading on Rice Vinegar, if you are interested..

http://www.livestrong.com/article/246887-health-benefits-of-rice-vinegar/ 

http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/key.ingredient/rice.wine.vinegar/

http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/health-benefits-rice-vinegar-16456.html

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/the-health-benefits-of-vinegar3.htm

Roasted cauliflower, onion, and parsnip soup!

Roasted Cauliflower, Onion, and Parsnip Soup

Last night I was craving some warm and hearty winter soup, and after posting my soup picture on my Instagram and Facebook and recieving multiple requests for the recipe, I figured I better post it on my new blog so I didn't have to type out the instructions multiple times, so here it is! Enjoy!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower florets (about 3 1/2 cups), roughly chopped

1 large or 2 medium sized parsnips, peeled and roughly chopped

1 yellow onion, peeled and quartered

3 green onions

3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

2 tablespoons coconut oil

3 tablespoons Truffle infused olive oil (or other olive oil)

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

3 cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup light coconut milk
1/4 Lemon (wedge)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 415˚F.

2. Spread cauliflower and parsnips onto a foil lined baking sheet, in a single layer, and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with cumin, coriander, salt and pepper and toss everything together until the vegetables are well coated with oil.

3. Roast vegetables for 25-30 minutes, tossing vegetables around 15 minutes into the roasting process.

4. Meanwhile sauté the onions and garlic in a medium pot with the coconut oil, once the onions are translucent, begin to pour broth into the pot, and then bring to a simmer. Lightly season with salt and pepper.

5. Once vegetables have roasted and broth is hot, transfer both the vegetables and 2 1/2 cups of broth into the blender. Securely fasten the lid, but remove the small, center-top piece and replace that with a kitchen towel with your hand securely over the towel (this will allow for the steam to escape without a soup ‘explosion’ occurring).

6. Puree mixture for a few minutes until the mixture is smooth. Add more broth and continue to puree if necessary.

7. Transfer the mixture into the pot that the onions and broth were in and bring to a light simmer. Stir in light coconut milk and adjust seasonings.

8. Top each bowl with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a few small pieces of roasted cauliflower and green onion and serve.
9. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the top for a bright pop of added flavor (optional)

Let me know how you liked it or what you would/ did change! I'm just experimenting with healthy yummy food in the kitchen!

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About Me:

Health and fitness enthusiast, with a passion for creating amazing chopped salads! Salads are so versatile, they can be transformed to fit any mood, craving, or list of ingredients. My salad making philosophy - mantra- whatever you want to call it, is to combine as many healthy, colorful ingredients to create a salad that is immensely nutritious and tasty all at the same time. And yes I do eat salad with a spoon, try it! You might not want that salad fork back.

I'm creating this blog to share some of my recipes, ideas, and health tips with my friends and family who regularly ask me to send them the recipe for my Instagram/ Facebook food photos I post when I'm cooking. Many of the healthy changes I have been making in my own life have been positively influencing those around me, which brings me so much pleasure to be able to help other people on the path to becoming their best selves!

So I'm hoping this will expand the reach of my healthy choices to others wanting to eat better, exercise more, and live longer healthier happier lives! That's all I'm try to do, take care of my body, one day at time, making healthy choices, and hopefully helping you do the same.

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