Monday, August 26, 2013

Pineapple Jam

I had some left over fresh pineapple chunks waiting to be used and I usually throw them in the freezer for a smoothie, but today I thought... I wonder if I could make jam with it?  So after googling pineapple jam,  and seeing yes it does exist, I did my own thing.  LOL.

Pineapple cooking on stovetop
So I took the pineapple and blended it in the food processor and added 1 cup of water.  I then added 2 very small peeled grated apple.  (I felt I needed the pectin in the apples)  I also added a squeeze of lime juice and 1/4 C pure honey.   I then boiled this for about 40 min on medium heat until nice and thick.  Leave in pot to cool off.
I then put it in this nice jam jar that I found in my cupboard!  Isn't it pretty?
It was so easy and something really different and a good way to use up some pineapple that was on its way out.
Finished pineapple jam all pretty in the jar.
 Blessings,

Trish

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Eggs...

So, I have been shying a bit away from the oatmeal this summer... just because, well... it's summer. (yes I did have oatmeal a few days ago)  I don't know why we just change our habits according to the season.  Take baths.  I love love love baths.  In the winter I take one almost every day.  I just realized that for the past 3 months I maybe have taken 10 baths...only because I was sore from a workout and needed a good soak.  Weird.

I guess the same with food.  We like to eat comfort foods for fall and winter like chili, stews, soups etc... and in the spring and summer veer towards the fresher foods like salads and grilled meats and veggies.  Kinda interesting we do it without even realizing it.  

Of course lately even though it is still August, for the past week I have been feeling like it should be fall making apple cakes, oatmeal... putting scented candles on.  Just strange.  

Today I ate what I have been eating most of the summer.  I can go all winter without eating... the simple... the perfect... EGG!!

These are God's perfect food in a shell.  It is so good for you.  It has everything except Vitamin C so add an orange and you are good to go.

Eggs are a very good source of both selenium and iodine.

They are filled with vitamins, minerals and of course a great source of protein.  I have been easing off my protein shakes and having 2 eggs post workout. 


So, here is how it went down this am:


This is where our chickens live.




Here they are hanging out and eating. 
2 eggs that were layed this morning!! Can't get any more fresh than that!!!!

Look how much more yellow the yoke is with a farm fresh egg!!  So much healthier!!

Also, don't be afraid of the yokes!  I always was afraid of all the cholesterol and calories and that is just garbage.  God made chickens to lay eggs.  They are natural and good for you.  Just don't eat 10 a day!! LOL.  Eggs can and are a healthy addition to your breakfast, lunch or supper!!!  Can be so versatile...quiches, frittatas, add to fried rice... possibilities are endless!!
This is the final product.  I decided against toast this morning so I had to break the yolks.  Can't eat my eggs runny without toast!!



Blessings,

Trish

Thursday, July 18, 2013

I've been MIA....I know it.  Summer has been really busy.  My family travelled a few weeks ago up to Pennsylvania for my dad's 80th Birthday!!  Our whole family got together for a really nice party.  It was great seeing everyone after so many years and being together.

The whole gang!!



 While up north, we took the boys to Washington DC, Baltimore, New Jersey where I grew up, Pittston where my hubby grew up... and the Big Apple... NYC.  Wow, what a busy week it was!!


Lincoln Memorial, DC



  We had a great time there.  So different from my now country life.  The cities are just bustling!!  I miss all the wonderful foods from there.

Very famous Rutts Hutt Hot Dogs
The best pizza... PizzaTown USA

Times Square NY

It was an action packed week with not much rest!!


















I did a lot of walking!!  Still trying to get this ankle back to health so the intense walking made it difficult to do.  I can post so many more pictures, but I won't bore you with that!!

Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know where I have been!!

Blessings,

Trish





Thursday, June 6, 2013

Chipotle or Blue Coast Burrito...my review


I know it's been ages since I have blogged. I just don't feel like writing most of the time.

I've been down because 3 weeks ago while running, I sprained my ankle...BAD. I can't run, I can't walk for exercise. It still hurts really bad. I have been keeping up with upper body, but it isn't the same. But, I refuse to give up. I have come too far. So I will let this heal and when the to e comes, I guess I will have to start all over again with my running. Yep, that's my bum ankle that shouldhave a brace on it.


Well enough about my injuries. I had the pleasure of trying a Chipotle restaurant last week when Sweety and I went away for the weekend. We don't have one nearby but we do have a Blue Coast Burrito here. So we decided to try it.

Both of us right away said Blue Coast is better than this. Why? Well, the burrito itself at Chipotle was ok, but the meat was tough. The biggest reason is Blue Coast has some amazing Fruit Iced Tea aka Baja fruit tea there and also a salsa bar with 4 different kinds of homemade salsas! All I can say is salsa bar = YUM. Chipotle gave us a tiny container of salsa and then we had to go back up to ask for more, while there were like 100 people in line. Bad system, Chipotle.

So, although Chipotle, was ok, I give my vote to Blue Coast Burrito!!

If you have never been to either, think of it as a Subway of burritos!! Gotta love that. Fresh and healthy. Great, now I am craving a good fresh burrito. Maybe I will make one for lunch and post it here another day!

Blessings,

Trish

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Strawberry Jam

So I had some strawberries in the fridge that were slightly less than fresh. It doesn't take more than a day or 2 before they start getting well...mushy.

So I decided to try to make jam. Yes me make jam. I don't can, it just never works out, so I found a recipe online. It seemed too easy.

1. Strawberries
2. Honey
3. Orange juice
4. 1/2 apple

This can't make jam right? Oh yes it can!




How delicious does this look?




You can eat this with a spoon!




I'm having mine on a homemade tortilla!

I used 3 1/2 C strawberries hulled and cut in pieces.

Put in saucepan with 1/4 C honey (1/2 C if you like really sweet jam.)

Add 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice. Simmer.

Add 1/2 diced and peeled Granny Smith apple...I suppose any kind of apple will work. The pectin in the apple thickens this so it is needed.

Simmer on stove for about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes then you can put in a jar or container and put in the fridge!

For those who love to can, by all means GO FOR IT.

This is so fresh, easy, healthy, and most of all delicious!

Blessings,

Trish

Monday, March 25, 2013

Spring Break

It's spring!! Yay! Or is it? It's March...almost April and the boys have a snow day today....AND tomorrow!

So, we got away 2 weeks ago for a few days after my 5k. Gosh I didn't realize how busy March is! We wanted to go on a cruise, but it was just all sold out and rather pricy, which one would think they would have cruises half price with all the problems they have been having! Florida was all booked up so so we decided on a little stretch of beach in Alabama! I didn't even realize they have beaches there, but yep they do! Gulf Shores was extremely low key and where we stayed, very quiet! We had a great time! The beach was so pretty!




Getting ready for my run on the beach! That was a hard 3 miles,!




View From the balcony-




A fun game of shuffleboard (me and the little guy won!)




Mini golf




Getting ready for dinner, isn't the beach gorgeous?




Me and Sweety




Us being silly on the way home!

We really had a fun relaxing Spring break!

Blessings,

Trish

Monday, March 18, 2013

The Start to a great Spring Break!

Hi there!  It's been a while and I don't have many tips right now, so I thought I would just blog about some random stuff that has been going on.

Spring is finally in the air!  I love Spring!  Getting warmer, flowers, days getting longer....ahhh it just feels good.

So last week was Spring Break and we decided to go to Gulf Shores Alabama.  Why you ask?  Well, because the cruises were too expensive that week and gosh I could just not figure out anywhere else to go last minute!!  So, Spring Break started great.  I got up early Saturday morning and ran my first 5k in 4 years!!!  I haven't been running too much because well I just don't love running but I am determined to be a runner!!  So off I went early in the morning with my friend Tracy!  Thanks Tracy for posting that race otherwise I would have never known it was happening!!

So, we got there and I just wanted to run, to finish and to enjoy.  I didn't care about my time too much or didn't even consider I would place in the race.  The day was beautiful, perfect for a run.  My time was 30.49 and I came in 36th out of over 160 people!  I also came in 3rd in my age bracket!  Well that was unexpected!  As I crossed the finish line my wonderful husband and boys were there to cheer me on.  I thought they were still asleep at home!  It was a great start to Spring Break week.
Me (and my coffee) before leaving for the race

Feeling tired but good

Victory!

Seriously 3rd place?  Wasn't expecting it!
Next blog I will post on our Gulf Shores vacation!

Blessings,

Trisha

Monday, February 11, 2013

Healthy chocolate pudding

My cousin Cheryl emailed me a recipe for this delicious looking chocolate pudding....made with avocados!! So of course I had to try this.

Today I did just that with a few tweaks of my own. I have to say I was even skeptical but the end result....total creamy chocolate indulgence. Now this is not super low calorie because avocado is higher in calories and fat...but it is oh so good for you fat!!

In a food processor scoop out flesh of 2 haas avocado...this is the dark, black, kinda ugly looking avocado.


Blend with 2 Tbsp cocoa powder, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, pinch of salt, a little less than 1/4 cup milk (coconut,almond or skim) 4 ounces of dark chocolate melted.
Blend very well until creamy and thick.




Put into ramekins.




Chill and enjoy!!




So thick and creamy!




And gone! YUM!


So yet another weird food that ended up decadent and so delicious!! I just have to stay away from the rest of them or I may eat them all!


Blessings,

Trish

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Snack attack


So I had a snack attack.  I was just craving something... something sweet and chocolatey and yes something healthy.  So I went looking online for something and remembered the am I nuts cookie dough dip.  Oh so yummy.

So, I adapted it a bit from Chocolate Covered Katie.. Thanks again Katie and made this.

1 can chickpeas
3/4 C brown sugar ( I used a little less)
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 C peanut butter (you can use oil or applesauce if you don't want the peanut butter taste, I happen to love it!)
1/8 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 instant oats or ground flax meal

Blend all of this in a food processor until smooth.

Add as many chocolate chips as you like.  Mix with spoon and put in a 8 x 8 baking dish.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Warning:  Will be soft and gooey... and delicious.

Organic Chick peas or Garbanzos
I used foil for easy clean up


Getting rid of the evidence...

Warm gooey deliciousness!!!

This is really delicious and low calorie.  One piece is around 100 calories and loaded with fiber!!

So try something nuts!!  You might like it.

Blessings,

Trish

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Psalm 63:3 and 4

Today's post will be short and to the point.  I do this blog to just share my thoughts and tips on health, recipes  and even some accomplishments and just fun stuff.  

Today I want to share a verse with you that came up as my Bible Verse of the Day.  If you don't have a Bible app, get one.  It's great.  

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in your name.  Psalms 63: 3,4

Jesus deserves our praise and adoration.  His lovingkindness is better than life.  

It also reminds me of another verse. 

 Psalm 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will continually be in my mouth.

So today, let's  just take time throughout the day to praise Him.  That's all... just praise him.  The verse says His praise will  CONTINUALLY be in my mouth.  That is all the time... constantly.  

Lord, I praise you and love you!!  Thank you for who you are and for your lovingkindness!  Amen.



Blessings,

Trish

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Yes I am!!

I am reluctant to ever say it because it can't be true...right?  I am the girl in high school who could not run... not even one lap.  Not 1/4 mile...nothing.  I could barely finish the 50 yard dash for field day.  I just wasn't a born runner like a lot of people.  If we had to run in gym, I was sick.  In college our final grade depended upon us completing a mile in a certain amount of time.  I didn't complete it in time and got a B in that class.  When asked if I wanted to redo the mile to get a better grade I kindly replied NO THANK YOU. 

 I took the B.  

So that is why I am hesitant to call myself this, but I think I finally can.  I AM A RUNNER!!  Yes I have completed some 5ks in the past, but that was a few years ago.

Recently I have started running again.  I don't know why.  I don't like to run.  I just wanted to set some new goals for myself and running is one of those.  One goal is to run 5 miles.  Well, today I didn't run 5 miles, but I did run 4.10 miles straight!!  I cannot believe it!!  If you would ever ask me if I could run thtat far I would laugh and say no way!  But I did do it. 

I am saying this because we all sell ourselves short.  We don't give ourselves credit for things we accomplish.  We don't think we can do it.  

I am here to tell you that you CAN DO IT.  You may not be able to run 4 miles right away or even walk 4 miles or even 1 mile, but you can do it.  It all starts by making that decision to just start.  It may mean walking 1 block.  I may mean doing 1 push up or sit up.  It may mean popping in a DVD and doing 5 minutes of it!!  Then the next time maybe you will be able to do 10 minutes.  It takes some time, but you can do it!!  I will get to that 5 miles, maybe it will take me all year, but I will do it!

Trust me, if I can call myself a runner, you can do it too!!


This is me stretching and cooling down after my 4.10 mile run.  It felt great!  YES I DID IT! 

Blessings,

Trish


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Happy New Year


Happy New Year everyone! A brand new year to be a brand new you! Kinda cool. I know this year I want to be more, do more. I want to truly get closer to The Lord because this world is a harsh place and we cannot put our hope in our government system or our leaders. Our only hope is in The Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 33:20
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

So this year let us all put Jesus first in our lives. Of course the other thing many of us want to do is be more health conscious, lose a few pounds, eat better, exercise more....I am one of them.

So please join me as I try to eat more whole clean foods and exercise regularly! I know we can do it!!

So remember when I said you were going to think I was nuts......? Check my previous blog post....

So here is what I am hooked on for a snack. It is crazy maybe but trust me, it is so good.




What is it you ask??
Chocolate chip cookie dough dip!!!!

Yes I said it...and it uses one of those healthy ingredients.....one of those crazy ones...white beans or chickpeas!!!




Yes I eat it with a spoon.




But you could use graham crackers or fruit to dip I to this crazy snack!
This was my last attempt...today I switched it up and even baked it....added some chocolate...




Yum!

So I got the recipe and tweaked it from www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com. Thanks Katie!

1 1/2 cups chickpeas or white beans (1 can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)
1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
tiny bit over 1/8 tsp baking soda
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup nut butter (You can get away with using only 3 tbsp. If you use peanut butter, it’ll have a slight “pb cookie dough” taste, which I love.
up to 1/4 cup milk of choice, only if needed ..I don't use this but if its too thick go ahead.
About a 1/2 cup brown sugar...can use dates if you want natural sweetness
1/3 cup chocolate chips

Add 1 Tbsp cocoa powder for the chocolate lover..and a pinch of baking powder if you want to bake this! Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

So tell me...am I crazy?






He likes it!!




So does he....so i can't be that nuts, right?

Blessings,

Trish