Popcorn!

When I was little I loved eating salty, buttery popcorn. I think my favorite part was running my finders across the bottom of the bag to get all the butter flavor. It was so good! But then as I got older I realized how bad it is for you, so I decided to stop eating it for a few years. Luckily, I recently found a new, healthy way to make it.

Homemade Popcorn:

• 1/3 C organic popping corn kernels
• 1/2 T organic extra virgin coconut oil
• a few pinches of sea salt

Heat pot (see note*) over low-medium heat. Add coconut oil and kernels. Hold lid to pan and shake often to prevent burning. After about 5-10 minutes you'll have healthy popcorn! Add salt and enjoy!

* I used a pot with a fitted lid. If you use an air popper, pour melted coconut oil on top of popped popcorn and add a little extra.

Sneak Peak of July 4th Dinner

I'm really excited for tomorrow. I have friends and family coming over for dinner, so I have to make everything so cute. I've been searching for cute ideas on how to make my food a little more festive. I found a few good ideas and come up with some of my own as well.

First, the ice cubes:

Blueberry Stars

I bought a star shaped ice cube tray, place a fresh blueberry in each star, filled with water then froze.

Flag Boat

This one was tricky. I filled a regular ice cube tray with water then wrapped it with plastic wrap. I poked the flag toothpicks through the plastic, then froze. The plastic was kind of a hassle to get off, you just have to rip it carefully near the toothpick.

Next, what are we going to eat on?

I found this perfect idea on Pinterest! Now people can grab everything at once, and it just looks neat.

I made a hole punch in the paper plate, then ties a napkin, fork, and knife with a ribbon.

I can't wait for everything to come together tomorrow. It's going to be a lovely dinner.

Homemade Pizza Dough

Pizza is one of the most popular foods to have at a party or for a quick dinner when you're too busy for anything else. Its quick, its cheap, and everyone loves it. But, its not the healthiest option and I personally don't like to eat it. Although, I do get a little pizza craving every once in a while, so I decided to make a healthy pizza from scratch. I didn't have any whole wheat flour on hand, but I had some brown rice flour in the pantry. So I spent some time looking at different recipes for a pizza crust I could make with the ingredients I had. This is what I came up with;

Brown Rice Flour and Flax Seed Pizza Crust

• 1/2 C whole grain brown rice flour (I buy mine in bulk at a health foods store)
• 1/2 C ground flaxseed meal (I use Bob's Ground Flaxseed Meal)
• 1 t baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
• ¼ cup water
• 3 eggs
• 3 T extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it (I use olive oil in a Misto can). Or, you can use a 9x13 pan.

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix wet ingredients in a small bowl, then add to the dry ingredients. Pour onto baking sheet or into pan. 

Bake for 10 minutes. While its in the oven, prepare your toppings. I used tomato sauce, tomatoes, and a string cheese (mozzarella) on one side, and olive oil, avocado, goat cheese on the other. 

After the crust is baked, add the toppings and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. Enjoy! 

Almond Joy Squares

Every Sunday I like to make treats :) Today I made one of the best treats ever. I absolutely LOVE coconut! So, I made a healthy version of an Almond Joy bar. It has a fudgy chocolate crust with a coconut almond topping, its delicious.

Crust:

• 1/2 C coconut oil (unrefined, organic, extra virgin)
• 1/2 C almond butter (I like Trader Joe's raw unsalted)
• 6 T cocoa powder
• 1/4 C honey
• 1/4 t vanilla extract

Over low heat, melt coconut oil and stir in almond butter and cocoa powder in a small sauce pan. Once mixed, remove from heat, add honey and vanilla. Pour mixture into an 8x8 pan. Place in the freezer while you prepare the topping.

Topping:

• 2 C unsweetened flaked coconut
• 7 T coconut oil
• 1/4 t almond extract
• 1/2 C almonds (whole, raw)

Melt coconut in a bowl in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir in other ingredients. Pour over crust, freeze for 30 minutes, or until frozen.

Cut them into squares and eat, or store them in a plastic bag in the freezer (coconut oil softens at room temperature). Enjoy!

I'm turning into a runner!

Yesterday I ran 3 miles on the treadmill at the gym. That is a huge accomplishment for me. I have run a few 5ks and 10ks (the Mud Run in San Diego is the best!), but other than that I don't love running. I've made it a goal to start running more often and for long distances. It took me 27:10 to finish with a two minute walking warm up and only 1 2-minute walking break after 2 miles. Overall I enjoyed the run, and I felt great all day!

Boot Camp!

Yesterday at 24 Hour Fitness, I went to Boot Camp. It was an hour long intense workout with cardio, plyometrics, squats, lunges, and 15 minutes of core - mostly planks! And it was outside in 80 degree weather. It was tough! The personal trainers were there to cheer us on and motivate us to push our hardest. I loved it. This morning I was definitely feeling how hard I worked.

Almond Milk

I haven't bought cow's milk for about a year. I'm not a huge milk drinker, and I've read too many articles about it and watched a documentary that has made me never want it again.
I use almond milk instead, its the best! I don't usually drink it plain, I just use it in recipes.
I like the boxes of Almond Breeze unsweetened original, but I really like homemade. Its easy to do and kind of fun!

Put the almonds and water in the blender.

Blend on high for about 2 minutes.

Pour into strainer lined with a layer of cheesecloth.

Let it drain.

Squeeze the milk out.

All you have left is the almond pulp.

Ta-da! You have homemade almond milk :)

Almond Milk:

• 1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight, then rinsed
• 4 cups water

I've been searching for a recipe to use the leftover almond pulp, but I haven't been very successful. I've found a couple, but they require several (from 8-20) hours in the oven.

Yummy Banana Muffins

I made the yummiest banana muffins in the world! They are packed with nutrients and are perfect on-the-go snacks. They are so light and fluffy. It's even a great gift to put the ingredients in a jar like I did for my friend, Melissa's birthday.

Yummy Banana Muffins:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup of almond milk
• 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbs cinnamon
• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• 1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350* and grease pan

Mash bananas in mixing bowl

Melt coconut oil for about 20 seconds in microwave, or until melted, add to bananas

Add almond milk, vanilla, and honey, mix well

Add dry ingredients and mix together

Bake in loaf pan for about 30 minutes, or until baked

Bake in muffin tins for about 15 minutes, or until baked

Enjoy!

Green Smoothies...

So, lately we've been hearing all about "green smoothies". Some people are obsessed, others think its a scam, or just plain nasty. I personally love them. Mostly for the nutrients and health benefits, but I actually do think they taste pretty good. I like to make one a couple mornings a week for breakfast.

Here is what I made this morning:

• handful of spinach
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 celery stalk
• 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen bluberries
• 1 small banana
• 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
• about 5-6 ounces coconut water (I use half of an 11.1 oz box)

This one is a bit on the extreme side. It was my first time using celery, its a different taste than my normal green smoothies without it so I had to get used to it, but it was still good :)

If you want a more normal tasting fruit smoothie, one I like to make is:

• handful of spinach
• 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 6 frozen strawberries
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• ice if needed

Enjoy!