Without further ado, I present to you a ‘How To:’
February 9, 2010
How to make your older brother, who hates vegetables (with the exception of canned green beens), eat a dinner full of Super Foods. Or, if you’d rather, a How to turn a veggie hater into a veggie fiend through one meal.
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White Sweet Potato Kale and Red Bean Pasta Bake
…Let the process begin…
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First, take a large sweet potato & chop it into cubes. Place the cubes into a microwave safe dish, add a little water to steam, and cover. 
Microwave for 5 minutes, or until the sweet potato is cooked through.
While the potatoes are a’cookin’, cook up some pasta (I used Whole Wheat Rotini, but Penne or Farfalle would work marvelously, too)
And while the pasta is a’cookin’, wash a bundle of Kale, give it a kiss and say your last words…
Chop, chop, chop. Butcher that kale. And next, kill it’s cousin, the onion–just one!
Prepare the flaming inferno, also known as the stove. Take one large pan and drizzle in some EVOO. Let it heat up, and then add some chopped garlic. I like a lot of garlic. I don’t like Edward Cullen.
While you’re waiting for the garlic to become fragrant, gather your other ingredients. Organic Kidney Beans (Don’t get rid of the bean water!), Part Skim Mozzerella, Shredded Parmesan. The garlic should smell up your kitchen now, so add the onion to ze pan. Cook the onion until translucent.
Add the cooked sweet potato to the pan, season with some salt & pepper lovin. Let the Sweet Potato & Onion get to know each other for a few minutes.
Introduce the SP & Onion to their new friend, Kale.
An again, let them a few moments to get acquainted.
Not it’s time to get a little wet & wild. (Pour the bean water into pan to help everyone get a little closer, and add some chili flakes for a little spice)
Don’t forget the pasta! It wants in, too. I used about 3/4 of the cooked pasta. Add it directly to the veggies.
Now, add 1/4c shredded Parmesan to the mix. Plus a few extra pinches 
Gotta get it cheesy. Stir, stir, stir.
It’s time for the magical fruit! Add the kidney beans.
Take the pasta & vegetable mixture and pour it into a baking dish. Proceed to cover it with 8oz of sliced mozzarella… and a few more sprinkles of Parmesan.
Pop it in an oven at 350 for approx. 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden.
Open the oven to this masterpiece.
Serves about 4-6 people.
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Dark leafy greens–such as kale, spinach, collard greens, swiss chard– bring out the flavor in mozzarella. Sweet Potato and kale is a stellar combo, jam packed with not only flavor, but also immense health benefits… but you’ll never know that when it tastes THIS good.
My favorite toast toppers
February 8, 2010
My very favorite toast toppers are NOT butter nor jam, peanut butter nor jelly. They are an odd combination of gooey goodness that I find absolutely remarkable.
Oroweat Sandwich thins, one with TJ’s Raw AB & banana, the other with shmeared avocado & banana. Served with cotttage cheese, blueberries, the rest of my banana, and a drizzle of agave for good measure.
Now, now, don’t be alarmed. I am not insane. Avocado (which in the past, was dubbed ‘Poor Man’s butter’) and Banana is a combination that, to me, parallels bananas and peanut butter.
Savory. Sweet. Melt in your mouth goodness. I may be too excited about it, but that’s fine by me. Try it, please. Just take 1 avocado, slice desired amount. Spread, top, and conquer.
I love Costco. Only there, am I made my berry happiest. (pun intended) $7.99 for 5lb of frozen blueberries is reason enough for me to endure the most crowded day the store probably has, the day before the Super bowl. Plus, $3.79 for 40 oz of spinach ain’t bad either.
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I brought this bar to school today:
Amazing Grass Berry Whole Food Energy Bar.
This bar has the same overall review as my last review of the AG bars, texture and size wise. However, the more saturated, or intensified, ‘berry’ flavor in this bar was more of a con than a pro. It was a slightly fruitier version of the Original Whole Food Energy bar… not too impressive. The nutritional stats and ingredient lists of the AG bars is enough to stop any complaints, though!
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What’s cooking in Sam’s kitchen tonight?
My family will feast upon __________________ this evening. Any guesses? The ingredient list includes–but is not limited to–one large, phone shaped sweet potato, kale, and mozerella.
Any guesses?
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
February 7, 2010
I was so excited this morning to have my first bowl of oatmeal since I was sick. I had blueberries & pear in mind, without a doubt. I dreamed of the blissful bowl of breakfast I’d dive into this morning. It looked a little like this-
(layered: frozen blueberries, oatmeal/cream of wheat mix, more frozen blueberries, a diced pear, slivered almonds)
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, I suppose it’s time for change in my life. This breakfast was a chore to eat. Yes, a CHORE. The oatmeal texture sickened me, and I would have much rather eaten the pear & blueberries on their own. All this week, I have been eating more savory than sweet breakfasts, eaten with fork or by hand rather than spoon. I’m so sad to say it, but I don’t think I’ll be having oatmeal for a while.
My days will start off with much more of this:
(glamour shot)
Why the sun shines, as I’m sure Kath can attest to. Nine Grain & Sunflower Whole Wheat. Oh, Em, Gee.
“How do they make such exquisite bread?”-Nick
Slices also go marvelously with last night’s dinner.
Crock Pot Lentil Soup
- 28oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 160z white beans (I used White Kidney, aka Cannellini)
- 12oz bag frozen chopped spinach
- 1c dry brown lentils
- 3c water
- 1c chopped carrots
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1.5tsp red chili flakes
- 1tsp salt
- 1Tbsp Tastefully Simple’s Diced Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix **
- Pepper to taste
In a slow cooker or crock pot, combine all ingredients and cook on high for 5 hours, and then cook for 1-2 hours more on low. Voila! Awesome soup, ready at your leisure.
** If you do not have this marvelous mix, simply add dried basil & parsley in lieu of it. Any Italian herbs should suffice.
I apologize for my less than stellar presentation, but this soup was sensational… especially atop a bed of fresh spinach with a blob of hummus:)
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Review Time: Amazing Grass Whole Food Energy Bar
Taste: Slight berry sweetness and subtle nuttiness, ‘green’ flavor (in a good way)
Texture: A little drier than a Larabar, but still chewy and dense
Size: It’s the size of the wrapper, so there’s no surprises when you open it and go “Where’s my bar?” So, thumbs up!
Overall, this bar was very good & I would definitely purchase it again. I cannot wait to try the others!!
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How was your weekend?
Amazing
February 6, 2010
Amazing, indeed. The awesome people over at Amazing Grass sent me a package’o'goodies to sample.
My nearest Whole Foods always has samples of the Kid’s Wild Berry Super food…. and I always sneak several tastes. I love em.
Reviews to come. Happy Saturday 
Recipe for Lasagna Rolls to come soon…
Be a Cookie Rookie!
February 4, 2010
Beauty, in its simplest form.
The last few hours of school today were particularly difficult to endure. Not on account of tedious school work or boring lectures. The culprit of my discomfort lie in the hands of a cookie and a glass’o'milk. I wanted nothing but the combination of those two when I got home. And that’s precisely what I did…. albeit I actually had a Chocolate Heart Thrive and a glass of almond milk… tom-ay-to, tom-ah-to.
As I enjoyed dipping my ‘cookie’ into my ‘milk’, I realized the meaning of life. Are you ready? The meaning of life is not 42. It is the few moments of solitude that you relish, alone, with your cookies and your milk. Concrete and tangible, yet so abstract. I don’t care who you are, or what your diet entails, you know you love the experience, and that, my friends, is why we live. To simply sit, chew, dunk, crumble, and swig. I’ve never really considered myself the cookies & milk kind of gal, but I am now willing to accept my fate. And no, I do not really consider a Heart Thrive to be a real cookie. Don’t worry. But it met the requirements.
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To bring purpose to this rant, I present to you, Sam’s Cookie Rookie Challenge.
The silly idea:
At one point in the day, find a random moment for yourself. Grab a cookie or two (or some resemblance of a cookie, ie: something sweet & dunkable). Pour the milk of your choice (cow, soy, almond, rice, hemp… etc.) into your favorite glass. Get comfortable. Consume cookie(s) & milk. Actually, ENJOY the cookie(s) and milk. Clear your mind and think of nothing but the moment.
If you have a blog, post about your experience! If you don’t, just leave a comment letting me know if you enjoyed it! The Challenge will continue until Valentines Day. Please, I beg of you, try it out!
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My brother just poked fun at me, saying “Sam, you’re so philosophical.” Not what I’m aiming for. My goal is that in pursuing the Cookie Rookie Challenge, you will be able to experience a moment or two of bliss, plain and simple. For my readers who are suffering or are in recovery of an eating disorder, try my challenge. Don’t allow the cookie to be a scheduled snack, do it spontaneously (if for some reason my challenge pops into your head at some point in the day). Do it without regret. It will be a sweet victory against your eating disorder, literally. For all my other readers, think of the challenge as a healthy treat for the soul. We can only worry so much about nutrition until our mental/emotional health takes a hit. Relive that little bit of childhood freedom, enjoy some cookies & milk.
So, really, is this challenge silly, or do you think people will want to bring merit to the milkstache?
Feedback is much appreciated.
The first sign…
February 3, 2010
There are several signs that indicate the re-birth of a knight. They are so prominent and so specific that I find it very hard to fathom my own achievement of one of these said signs:
1. Find, face, and slay the green ’dragon’.
As many valiant and noble men (bloggers) have attested to, the green ‘dragon’ could quite possibly be the epitome of a knight’s strength and ability. Mastering the art of green monster making/dragon slaying is difficult, indeed. But when done right, it is the taste of victory.
You might have already noticed, I’m feeling a tad better… hence, my feeble attempt to create any lick of humor in relating the blogosphere’s favorite smoothie, The Green Monster, to dragon slaying… but that’s beside the point.
I awoke this morning, feeling pretty spiffy. I had a feeling it was going to be a good day, for how could one go wrong with such a breakfast? I mean, I met nearly no fuss when choosing my English muffin spreads, it felt like no compromise! I had one with real butter, and the other with raw almond butter. Normally, I’d feel as if I were missing something… but the planets seemed to be aligned. And to make up for my vegetable consumption (or lack there of, as a result of my stomach virus and complete aversion to anything fibrous), I was CRAVING green this morning. So in the blender went a frozen banana, 2 rather large handfuls of spinach, a few chunks of pineapple, Silk Almond milk, water, and ice! Voila! Veggies for breaky. Delicious, indeed.
While I’m near the topic of Silk Almond Milk, I spose it’s the perfect time for a little review. First, the texture is DEFINITELY new, for almond milk, that is. It’s much much creamier than any I’ve tried. I usually purchase unsweetened almond milk, so this was a tad sweeter than I fancy, but delicious none the less. To put it simply, it tastes like Vanilla Silk, but with a stronger almond than soy taste… if you catch my drift. I’d recommend it if you’re in the market for something new!
TO further affirm my new found health, tonight I’m actually cooking! It has been ONE WHOLE WEEK, and I have not cooked a single meal. I actually had to tell myself NOT to think about food, I was making myself nauseous. Thank god those days are over. KITCHEN HERE I COME!!!!
Running on empty: V2
January 31, 2010
So, this weekend has been spent lounging on the couch, watching multiple hours of Biggest Loser. As I write this, I still lie on the couch, watching a favorite movie of mine (As Good As It Gets). I’m feeling slightly better, but no drastic change. I dubbed this post “Running on empty: V2″ because this morning, I woke up to the most excruciating hunger-induced stomach ache of my life. I was so hungry, I could have thrown up. I literally skipped my limp-self on over to the kitchen to make breakfast (while of course, worrying about whether or not I’d be able to keep it down…)
(Pear Cream of Wheat with PB)
Fortunately, it silenced the beast in my tummy. Unfortunately, it awoke a new one, as well.
As the dedicated foodie I am, I put on my big girl panties and went grocery shoppin’ with my mom, despite my illness. And for my efforts, I was rewarded:
Silk Almond Milk. Has anyone else seen this?
Review to come!
How was your weekend?
Running on empty.
January 29, 2010
I spent the evening with my toilet last night. Terrible tummy ache. I did not go to school today, on account that I’d miss most of class by running to the bathroom. My stomach has settled down some, so I decided it was time to refuel the tank. I made a big bowl of plain oatmeal and a banana, both of which are Google-search approved as “the best foods to eat when you have a stomach ache.” Hopefully everything stays down! Happy Friday
“Elenore, gee I think you’re swell…
January 27, 2010
…and you really do me well!”
The Eleanor I’m referring to is the lovely first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. She really has done me well. She said it all:
“Do something everyday that scares you.” & ”You must do things you think you cannot.”
Quite frankly, this is the best advice I’ve ever received, albeit it was not personally directed to me. The only force great enough to keep you from pursuing your ambitions and your desires is that which lies within yourself. I find these two quotes, which coincidentally share the same origin, to be the truest, most sincere, and highly motivating that anyone could hear. In retrospect, I’d be lost without these words.
So, I ’spose I should be getting to my point…
Once upon a time, I was blue. Blue without a cause, blue without a beat… just blue. In the dark days of my dysfunctional relationship with food and with myself, I was scared of many things. Scared to socialize, scared to branch out. Just flat out scared of everything. To simplify this equation of epic & depressing proportions, I will use peanut butter as my example.
I wouldn’t touch it, not with a 100 10 foot pole. Nutritional content aside (high fat content), the whole essence of it petrified me. The nutty aroma, a said ‘creamy’ texture, rich taste… it was off limits due to my nonsensical notion that it was an extreme ‘indulgence’. That it was in everyones favorite snack–pb&j–just added salt to the wound. Everyone ate it, so I took that as another reason to avoid it. Case in point, I feared it greatly.
Once I had my head on straight and officially DECLARED my desired independence from my eating disorder, I reckoned the first thing I ought to do was eat some damn peanut butter, because, honestly, I was sick of being scared. I bit the bullet and reintroduced peanut butter into my life. I faced my fear head on and am now reaping the benefits. I walked into the light. I am happier now than I ever have been, and all it took was some balls and the audacity to kick my eating disorder’s ass. I just did it. I stopped asking questions, I stopped worrying about all the ifs, ands, or buts… I was determined… and with my determination, I did something that scared me. I did something I thought I couldn’t. That one choice lead to many others, resulting in a much stronger Sam ( who is currently enjoying a lovely and indefinitely long state of matrimony with peanut butter )
Seriously, do something everyday that raises the hairs on your arm. Do something that would normally send you on a quest for excuses. Just do it. Whether it be eating a big bowl of ice cream, riding a bike for the first time (and you’re not a little kid), or confronting a friend… it’s better if you just do it, for life is too short to sweat the little things. Live in happiness, not in fear.
I don’t normally like to discuss on the blog my days of my eating disorder, but I felt it appropriate in this post. I hope you can take something from this.
Have a terrific evening!
*Deep sigh.
January 26, 2010
I did it. I started and finished a piece of artwork that I am actually pretty content with. Last night went rather smoothly, to my surprise. Last night was a test, one which proved that a positive mentality will take you farther than panic will. Last night made me believe that I really can achieve anything, as long as I maintain my determination and a sort of mental complacency. When all was said and done, I took a step back, looked at my final product, and took a deep sigh. I’m all for a challenge. And the best part, undoubtedly, would have to be the deep, relieving gush of warm air that escapes your lungs as soon as you add the finishing touch.
…and I ended up taking first place in my category. So, again, attitude is key.
Tonight’s dinner is worthy of honorable mention, too….
Lemon Wheat Berries with Almond Pesto
- 3c cooked wheat berries
- 3 small-medium red potatoes, cubed
- 10 oz bag of spinach
- 1 lemon
- black olives
for the pesto-
- 1/2c sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/2c finely shredded Parmesan/Romano mix
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- salt & pepper
- 1/4c plain fat free yogurt
- olive oil
Set aside wheat berries. Boil potatoes until cooked. drain and mix with wheat berries, season with salt, pepper, & juice of 1/2 lemon* (make sure the seeds don’t pop out!) Mix in spinach.
In a food processor, combine almonds, cheese mix, 2 big handfuls of spinach, garlic, yogurt, s&p, and pulse. Slowly begin to drizzle a little olive oil until pesto reaches desired texture. Add pesto to wheat berry/potato mix. Do it slowly, and make sure you don’t do pesto overkill! It depends on your taste. Garnish with sliced black olives.
*Add lemon zest for a little more lemon flavor.
This should serve between 4-6 people.
Have a splendid evening!
