{body} Homemade Pumpkin Granola

Don't you just love Fall? 

I love the smell of the crisp air, the changing colors of the trees, the clothing, and the food. It is my favorite time of year by far. I especially love it this year because I am actually experiencing the season. Florida doesn't experience too many season changes besides hot and hotter. In Tallahassee, the leaves changed and it got pretty chilly during Fall but nothing compared to North Carolina. I cannot wait for it to actually get chilly!! We have had a cold front for the past three days and it is just beautiful.

As you know I just love all things pumpkin. I could probably incorporate into every meal, every day of the year. Luckily in Fall it is totally normal to have pumpkin coffee with pumpkin granola in yogurt for breakfast, pumpkin soup for lunch, pumpkin pasta for dinner, and pumpkin ice cream for dinner. Right?!?

This fall I am looking forward to apple picking, pumpkin carving, making chilis/soups/stews, the ACC Championship game in Charlotte (hopefully the Seminoles make it this year!!), wednesday kickball games, and hikes in local parks! 

I am so excited to be living in North Carolina and being able to experience a real Fall is going to be perfect!

This pumpkin granola is so delicious, easy, and pumpkiny (if that's a word). It is perfect on top of your greek yogurt with some strawberries or with soy milk for a quick and easy breakfast! The pumpkin spice seasoning and cinnamon add a warmth and spice to the granola. I adapted this recipe from one of my favorite blogs, SkinnyTaste. Homemade granola is super easy to make, cheaper than store bought, and you can personalize it with spices, dried fruit, and nuts of your choice!

Definitely make this when you are craving something pumpkin and want to switch up your morning meal!

Skinny Pumpkin Granola
Recipe Adapted from SkinnyTaste

Ingredients:
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed and dried)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats (used whole wheat old fashioned)
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup light maple syrup
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp oil
1 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch kosher salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread oats and quinoa on baking pan and toast in oven for about 10 minutes, turn once.
3. Remove oat mixture from oven and transfer to a book. mix in the ground flaxseed, almonds, and cranberries.
4. Reduce oven heat to 300 degrees.
5. In a second bowl mix maple syrup, oil, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Combine well and add to oat mixture. Stir until combined and transfer back to the baking sheet in one layer.
6. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until golden
*sprinkle an additional amount of cinnamon/pumpkin spice if needed.

Enjoy!

{recipe} Whole Wheat Banana Peach Muffins

Its peach season! Peaches are 99 cents a pound at the grocery store and something that I cannot pass up. I can't resist a juicy fresh peach on a sunny day. They are so refreshing right out of the fridge but somehow become even better baked in a crisp or muffins. When I saw this recipe on one of my favorite blogs I knew I had to make it. It would be the perfect quick breakfast on its own or even better crumbled into my greek yogurt. Needless to say after a week most of the muffins are already gone. Did I mention that the muffins are SUPER healthy. No sugar, eggs, or butter. These are truly nutrient dense and guilt free. What is not to love?

Whole Wheat Banana Peach Muffins
Recipe from Eat, Live, Run
Makes 14-16 Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup whole wheat old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup light maple syrup
1/2 vegetable oil
2 bananas, mashed
3 large peaches, chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. In another bowl whisk together maple syrup, oil, and mashed bananas.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry and fold in peaches. Stir only until combined.
4. Fill a greased muffin tin with the batter and bake for 25-30 minutes. Serve warm!

{recipe} Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

I love cooking but not when I have to cook for one. For some reason if I have to cook for myself I end up making a PB&J and call it a night. It is very difficult to portion size and create a good meal for one person. So my roommate and I decided we are going to do family meals three times a week. Which means I can come up with healthy and easy meals for two! I think cooking for two is a great skill but sometimes difficult when most recipes are made for 4-6 people.

When cooking on a budget you buy in bulk when things are on sale, freeze, and meal plan. I ended up getting a pound ground turkey breast for $1.98. It was a steal! So naturally I bought 2 packages and froze them in 1/2 pound portions. They are perfect for quick defrosting and throwing into weeknight meal. 

When I made a meal plan for the next two weeks, meatloaf was on my mind. Meatloaf is something that reminds me of my mom. She makes the best meatloaf muffins and it one of my favorite meals. I decided to lighten up my mom's meatloaf by using turkey instead of ground beef. I also added some mexican flair by adding cumin to the mix. If you don't know this about me by now - I love mexican food. I cook a lot of it at home and love a good mexican meal out! So I am constantly adding mexican flavors or cooking with mexican ingredients at home. Healthy mexican? Yes please!

This meatloaf is was so moist and guilt free. It hit the spot after a long day of studying. Healthy comfort food is the best. Make this soon!

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Recipe adapted from Fanny Farmer Cookbook

Makes 4 Meatloaf Muffins

Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground turkey breast

1/4 yellow onion, diced

1/4 green pepper, diced

1 TBS extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

4 TBS soy milk

1 egg

1 TBS dijon mustard

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp basil

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp rosemary

1/4 tsp thyme 

1/2 tsp light brown sugar.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

2. Saute onion and green pepper in olive oil over medium heat until translucent. Cool before adding to ground turkey. 

3. Combine bread crumbs and milk. Stir until combined. Add to ground turkey.

4. Add remaining ingredients to the turkey and mix until combined.

5. Spray a muffin with nonstick spray and separate the mixture into 4 equal muffins. 

6. Bake for 35 minutes and enjoy!

Diet Food? Yeah Right!

Who said when you diet you have to eat cardboard? I say you should eat the best you ever have on a diet. Eat cheese. Lots of it. Its good for you. They don't teach it to you in diet school...but it's true. My motto is eat that cookie now and you will die happy.

Well if you don't believe me that you can eat cheesy stuffed goodness and still be healthy then you haven't met this Chicken Rollatini. Chicken stuffed with spinach, mozzerella, and ricotta cheese oozing out of the middle. Then covered with the most delicious marinara sauce (super easy and cheap!) as well as a big whopping piece of mozzarella cheese?

I have died and gone to diet heaven.

This amazing moist, saucy, cheesy concoction is only 194 calories and 5 Points+! It is almost sinful when eating it. I felt guilty for all those other dieters eating horse food.

Put down the bran flakes and make this. You will not be disappointed.

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach and Ricotta

makes about 8 servings.

adapted from Gina's Skinny Recipes

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts butterflied and halved (or use 8 chicken cutlets)

1/2 cup whole wheat Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

3 eggs, whites only

5 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed

6 Tbsp part skim ricotta cheese

10 oz part skim mozzarella cheese

olive oil non stick spray

1 cup marinara sauce

salt

pepper

Directions

1. Wash and dry chicken breast halves. Pound chicken breast halves thinly. Spray a casserole dish with olive oil spray. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Combine bread crumbs and 2 tbsp of parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish and 2 egg whites in another shallow dish. (used for breading)

3. Shred 1/4 of the mozzarella cheese and combine the remaining parmesan cheese, spinach, 1 egg white and ricotta cheese. Mix together.

4. Lay pounded chicken breast half down and spread 2 Tbsp of spinach mixture on top of the chicken. Loosely roll the chicken breast up and place seem down in the casserole dish.

5. Dip in egg whites then in bread crumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Then spray the top of the chicken rolls with olive oil spray.

6. Bake for 25 minutes uncovered. Remove and add marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Put back in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and melted.

Enjoy :)

Summer is here!

Summer means beach bodies, lots of fresh veggies and fruits, sunscreen, sand, and for my family packing and selling our house.

I have a very busy summer ahead of me BUT this is the first summer since freshman year in college that I will be home. YES, I will be relaxing but I will also be a busy bee in applying to Pharmacy school, packing, getting healthy, and organizing my crazy 21 year old life.

In getting healthy, my mom and I decided to start walking twice a day and trying Weight Watchers Online. I know what you guys are thinking...your 21 and NOT overweight, why are you going on a diet? Well its not really a diet...its a way to portion control and watch what I eat. Its also a way to have consistency with my eating and exercising habits. Having my mom as my buddy will really help both of us complete our goals. Beware...the freshman 15 came late for me...I call it the Junior 15. EEK.

I am also going to my old high school trainer this summer 5 days a week. He really knows my work ethic and will make sure I have a good sweat every time. He knows the perfect level to push me. But, I am pretty nervous about going back to my high school gym. Last time I came in I was at my prime and now...not so much. Lets just say you may look skinny and in shape, but when you can't walk up a hill or a flight of stairs without gasping for air...then you know its time. Time to get HEALTHY!

I will be recording my adventures this summer and really try and stay on top of this blog. Sometimes its hard because you don't know who is out there reading, but at the same time its a blank canvas for expression.

Tired Puppy

Just got back from running stadium steps! I did more than Thursday! 10 times totally 440 steps! Now I am as tired as Bluto was after the farmers market.

Going to rest up before lab today at 4! So proud of myself for working out...and boy did it feel good! Can't wait for tomorrow :)

Stadiums = Hard Work!

So the healthy lifestyle movement continues....with stadium steps. Oh boy were they tough! Rima, her little Jessa, and I took on the Doak Campbell Challenge. 80 steps high we ran up 4 times! I know 4 doesn't sound like a high number, but oh did we feel the burn! We ran a total of 369 steps! Now, 3 days later...I feel the burn. But, the funny thing is...I am taking on the challenge again today! Goal is to do 5 stadiums!

I also have kept up with the walking goal. Walked to work today instead of driving! I also skipped the coffee this morning so we will see how that goes.

This week is surprisingly pretty simple compared to my normal weeks! Only one exam! Woohoo!

I also updated my blog background! Do you like :)

A Beach Day Getaway leads to a blogging return!

I must apologize for being away for a long period of time. Living in my sorority house doesn't allow me to fully take advantage of my passion for cooking....which leaves my blog recipe-less and lonely.

I still haven't changed too much since summer though. I probably have over 1,000 recipes saved on my computer and that list keeps growing everyday. Tastespotting is my weakness at work because EVERYTHING looks amazing and I save every recipe that looks appealing to me! It makes me want to run to my "imaginary" kitchen and cook up a storm. I cannot wait until the summer, I will be living with my friend Jen and Rima! We all share a crazy obsession and passion for good food and wine. Can you say dinner parties galore? Yes.

So I have decided that I would alter the purpose of this blog until I can turn up the heat in the kitchen. Now don't get me wrong, this blog will still be FILLED with food, wine, and recipes but in a much different fashion than I originally intended. There will be personal posts, restaurant critiques, food pictures, and many more. Get excited :)

Well the reason for the return to blogging is probably from inspiration from a couple of blogs I follow and check at least 3 times a day: Eat, Live, Run , Kath Eats Real Food, and Healthy Tipping Point. These woman truly inspire me to express myself and follow my passion for food and health. Right now in particular I am going through a slump. This is my second year living in my sorority house and the "freshman fifteen" has now turned into the "junior twenty"... not fun. I have always been an active person but this year I can count on my hand how many times I've hit the gym. That is not a good sign. I am looking for motivation but I get discouraged when my sorority house feeds us preservative carbohydrate packed meals everyday. I know excuses will not make me healthier...and it didn't really hit me till today when I was at the beach with a couple of girlfriends that I needed to start getting healthy NOW. I need to do it for my health: mentally and physically. I can feel my stress level reaching its maximum with classes, work, sorority, family and the boyfriend. My plate is completely full and in order to be able to handle my load I need to be healthy.

My goal is not to lose weight as fast as I can or go on a strict diet. My goal is start a path of a healthy lifestyle. I need to find time to relieve stress while giving my body the much needed physical attention it needs and deserves. I really believe with this attitude I will be a much happier and healthier person.

I love blogging and can't wait to get back to it :)