tropical protein juice

This juice really hit the spot this morning!  I felt like I needed a tropical drink since it's already in the 90's here!  Yikes!  I added some protein to my juice too.  This made enough for two people, but of course I drank it all myself :)  Did you know you can buy coconut water at the dollar store?!! I just went yesterday and stocked up!  It was a really exciting day.  It's tastes exactly the same as the coconut water I buy at sprouts, but with a different label.

 Recipe:

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (just use scoop that comes with protein)

1 big handful of kale

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 tsp flax seed

1 1/2 cups coconut water

1/2 cup pineapple juice

Mix in blender and enjoy! I use a blendtec and it works great for blending kale.

multi-grain bread recipe

multi-grain bread

 

This bread recipe costs a lot for all the ingredients, but once you have them all it will last you a really long time.  I got all of these ingredients at shar's bosch kitchen center.  This recipe is adapted from thier multi-grain recipe.


Ingredients:
3 cups warm water
1/3 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup honey or agave
1 TBSP sea salt
1.5 TBSP dough enhancer
1.5 cups high gluten bread flour
1.5 TBSP saf instant yeast
3 cups fresh ground wheat flour
1 cup fresh ground spelt flour
1 cup fresh ground kamut flour
1 cup multi-grain seed mix unground

The first thing you will need to do is grind up all your seeds.  I use my blendtec for grinding up the grains, it works perfectly!  You can also use a nutrimill.  I recommend the blendtec because you can use it for so many other things and who wants a huge nutrimill sitting around in their kitchen.  

First grind up all your wheat

Add 3/4 cup unground kamut and blend on high for 30 seconds and set aside

Add 3/4 cup unground spelt flour on high for 30 seconds and set aside

Add 5 cups unground wheat grain (I used red hard wheat) on high(#9) for 30 seconds and set aside

Next, add 3 cups warm water, 1 TBSP sea salt, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 cup honey, 1.5 TBSP dough enhancer, 1.5 TBSP saf instant yeast, 1.5 cups high gluten bread flour, 1 cup fresh ground spelt flour,  1 cup fresh ground kamut flour, and 1 cup multi-grain seed mix.  Add everything except the wheat flour.

Then the amount of wheat flour will depend on how your dough looks.  I used 3 cups wheat flour for mine and it worked perfectly.  You want to add one cup at a time until you see that the dough is no longer sticking to the edges around the bowl.

This recipe will make two really large loafs or 3 medium sized loafs.  I like to go for the smaller loafs.  Divide your bread into 3 sections.

The easiest way to put your bread dough in the pan is to flatten it out and make it pretty long like in the picture.

I like to start from one end of my dough and roll it really tight and then tuck the ends of each side underneath the dough.  

Add a tiny bit of olive oil to the bottom of your pans and place your dough in them.  Put a dry dish towel over your bread and set a timer for around 35 minutes.  You may need to let it rise for up to an hour.  Since I made smaller loafs they will not rise as much.  

Bake in the oven at 350 for 25-35 minutes.  I cooked mine for 30 and they turned out perfect!

Enjoy!  

       

Multi-grain bread

by Samantha Miller

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

6045490

Ingredients (3 small loafs or 2 large loafs)

• 3 cups warm water
• 1/3 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup honey or agave
• 1 TBSP sea salt
• 1.5 TBSP dough enhancer
• 1.5 cups high gluten bread flour
• 1.5 TBSP saf instant yeast
• 3 cups fresh ground wheat flour
• 1 cup fresh ground spelt flour
• 1 cup fresh ground kamut flour
• 1 cup multi-grain seed mix unground

Instructions

Grind up all your grains using a high end blender or a grain mill

Add 3 cups warm water, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 cup honey, 1.5 Tbsp dough enhancer, 1.5 Tbsp saf instant yeast, 1.5 cups high gluten bread flour, 1 cup fresh ground spelt flour, 1 cup fresh ground kamut flour, and 1 cup multi-grain seed mix. Add everything except the actual wheat flour.

Mix for a couple seconds and then start adding your wheat flour. The amount of flour you add will depend on how your dough looks. I used 3 cups wheat flour for mine. You want to add one cup at a time until you see that the dough no longer sticks to the edges around the bowl.

This recipe will make 2 really large loafs or 3 medium sized loafs.

Add a tiny bit of olive oil to the bottom of your pans and place your dough in them. Put a dry towel over your bread and let sit for about 30 minutes to an hour until it rises. Smaller loafs will be about 30 minutes.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes.

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berry oatmeal breakfast

This weekend we tried to plan a fun trip to go on since it will be the last time we can get away before I have the baby.  We decided to stay here and try to find something fun to do instead because every thing involved being in a car for too long and that just doesn't sound fun to me right now.  I suggested we rent paddle boards and go all day to the lake, my idea was shot down fast with a quick, "Sam, you are 7 1/2 months pregnant, choose something you can actually do."  Sometimes I forget that I am pregnant and think that I can still do everything.  I guess using my abs for half a day on a paddle board isn't the best idea.  Maybe I'll settle for a massage or pedicure (since I can no longer reach my toes). 

This is my go to breakfast right now.  It hits the spot.  Really delicious and healthy.  

Here is what you need:
-Coach's Oats (I buy mine from Costco) or you can use regular oatmeal
-organic frozen fruit:  This big bag of organic berries was only 10 dollars at costco.  This is definitely the cheapest you can get organic frozen fruit.  
-truvia (optional) 

Make the oatmeal according to directions and then top with your favorite frozen fruit.  Add a small pack of truvia and mix everything together.

Dinner and Dessert

  This past weekend we went hiking on Saturday.  The weather is so perfect right now, I love it.  I hope Summer never comes.

Yep, I am huge.  I was breathing so hard on this hike!

Here is a favorite dinner that I make usually once a week.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Vegetarian Enchiladas!

Ingredients: 

-trader joe's whole wheat organic tortillas (my favorite!)

-1 can black beans

-1 can corn

-2 sweet potatoes steamed in steamable bags

-sour cream

-cheese

-enchilada sauce

-franks red hot sauce

-optional: avocado, olives, lettuce, salsa

Combine the black beans, corn, cooked cut up sweet potatoes,  and franks red hot sauce (to taste) in a large bowl.  Wrap the mixture into tortillas and place in baking pan.  Top with enchilada sauce and cheese.  Put enchiladas in oven and broil for 5-8 minutes.  Top enchiladas with sour cream, avocado, lettuce, and salsa.  Great meal for a meatless Monday dinner!

On to the dessert.....For dessert I made a healthier banana/strawberry cream pie!  

Ingredients:

-one packet of organics banana pudding (bought at sprouts)

-one organic graham cracker crust (sprouts)

-strawberries and bananas

-milk (I used vanilla soy milk)

Directions:

Make the pudding according to the packet instructions and let it cool.  Layer bananas and strawberries on the bottom of the pie crust and top with pudding.  Add more bananas and strawberries to the top.  

back on track

 Since I have been feeling better and my food cravings are sort of back to normal I have been back to making healthy dinners.  I feel so much better when I eat healthier.  I swear there were some nights that I wouldn't be able to eat anything unless it was taco bell.  It was disgusting.  Tonight I made the best pasta sauce I have ever made!  Its super easy and healthy, all organic/vegan but you would never know it because it tastes so good and is really creamy.  My pictures kind of suck because I used my ipad, too lazy to get my camera out.

 

  Tomato Basil Pasta (adapted from oh she glows).

Ingredients:
2 small tomatoes
1/2 cup cashews
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
whole wheat pasta

1.  Chop tomatoes and add them to blender, Add cashews, water, and tomato paste.  Blend all together until smooth
2. Add olive oil and minced garlic to skillet and heat on low.  Only cook for about two minutes
3.  Pour the sauce from the blender to the skillet on the stove with the olive oil and garlic.  Add salt , pepper, and basil.  You can add more water to thin out sauce but I liked it thicker.  

Put this sauce on top of your whole wheat pasta and enjoy.  You will be so glad you tried this!

I made a light salad to go with this pasta and topped it with my favorite dressing
Ingredients:
sunflower seeds
feta cheese
apple slices
dried cranberries

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing for the salad:
combine 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar1 teaspoon regular mustard1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil1 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup

 I had to get remotivated to eat healthy so I watched these great movies on netflix that I have already watched.  

 I just bought this book on my ipad for 5 dollars.  It has a ton of recipes that look really good.  All of the recipes are vegan.

Life Update

  I am going to try to start blogging again once a week.  I'll see how it goes.  I just started a new job that makes me have to wake up at 5 am every day!  The morning and me have always always hated each other.  I guess I'm going to have to learn to go to bed at 9.  This past week we found out that we are having a little girl!  I am so excited.  I am getting anxious and still have a long ways to go.  In one week I will be five months pregnant.  I made two new recipes this past week that were really good!

The first one I found on pinterest.  Sweet and sour chicken with rice and broccoli!  I have been craving orange chicken but I won't eat it at any restaurant because who knows what they are putting in it.  I used organic chicken and cut the recipe in half.  I am going to make it again this week and instead of using sugar for the sauce I am going to try truvia/stevia sugar.  You can find the recipe here.

The second recipe I loved is white chicken chilli soup.  Here is the recipe.  My cousin Alex seriously has some good recipes on her blog.  I probably use her blog for new recipes once a week.  It was my favorite soup recipe that I have made.  I usually make chicken tortilla soup but this soup definitely wins.

More exciting things....

The dark knight rises came out on dvd!  Best movie ever!  We bought it Friday and watched it and then we decided to watch it again on Saturday night.  Its that good.  I have always loved batman movies.  I'm also really excited for superman to come out.  During Christmas break I'm going to have to have a batman marathon and watch all three.

Since I have been feeling better I have been trying to ride my stationary bike and do yoga.  This DVD is actually pretty good.  There isn't really anything on it that a pregnant person can't do.  They don't really use a lot of weights, some light dumbbells.  I was so sore after doing the work out.  I don't think I would really call this a yoga workout.  Bob Harper always has good workout dvds so it is definitely worth trying.  I don't think I can do real yoga, or meditate.  I like to sweat and get my heart rate up.  I relax when I watch tv.

The ACSM guidelines for exercising during pregnancy is that you should exercise  3-7 days per week moderate intensity 15-30 minutes per day.  I definitely need to start exercising more.  I have been so lazy.

Here is another workout dvd I want to try

Its a kettlebell workout with Bob Harper.  Not sure I can use a kettlebell when I'm pregnant.  I'll have to look into that.  If I can I will have to be a lighter one.  If you have never used a kettlebell before it is definitely time for you to buy one.  It is such a good arm and cardio work out.  I had never used one before cross fit but I will probably never do a workout with out using one now.  I told Jordan that after I have this baby I am for sure going to do cross fit for at least a couple months.


These are my top picks for decorating the baby's room.  I will probably end up going with coral and light blue.  Yellow and gray is a close second.  Our baby room is currently an office work room jam packed full of bike stuff we are selling.  Who knows how we are going to organize that into a work/baby room. 

Kind of a random post, but I haven't posted in a while so there was a lot on my mind.  Hope everyone has a good week! 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

What I've been up to....

I am finally starting to feel a little better.  I get to find out what the baby is in just three weeks.  I was in a complete panic the other day because I have only gained three pounds and am 15 weeks pregnant, I thought something was wrong.  Luckily my doctor said that was completely normal.   I am not trying to brag, I seriously was on a get fat diet because I thought the baby wasn't growing, I may or may not have made myself feel sick a couple times because I was trying to eat a ton.   I also found a new hobby, genealogy!  I always thought family history was a little boring until I started reading stories online about the pioneers in my family line.  I also found out that through my Grandma Leora I am related to the same person my husband is.  So technically we are fourth cousins twice removed.  The reason why family history is so fun is because its kind of like a mystery you are trying to solve.  I found eight kids that were not even linked to their parents through different documents I searched through online. We are actually going to take a trip to Safford soon because tons of my relatives are buried there.  I'm not going to talk about the election because it's just too sad.  I think we all know who the smart people in this country voted for. 

I started watching the cooking channel the other day and decided to actually write down the recipe and try it.  It turned out really good.  But I decided it was too much work for my lazy cooking self.  I only like meals that take thirty minutes or less haha.  This chicken lasted us all week.  So it was worth it.  I used the left over chicken to make a big pan of chicken enchiladas. 

Chicken marinated with herbs/butter:

Chicken marinated with herbs/butter:

I was at costco the other week and usually buy chicken once a month because its so expensive to buy it organic.  I usually buy the normal chicken breasts that I can quickly make on the stove or put in the oven.  Next to the usual chicken I buy were two whole chickens.  They were the same price as the other chicken I normally buy and were three times as much chicken.  So I guess for a little more work it was worth it.  You definitely get more for your money.

Here is the recipe:
-thaw out your chicken and place it in a pan wing side down.  (The opposite of how you normally cook a chicken).  Then combine half a stick of room temperature butter in a bowl with some chopped up rosemary and thyme.  Mix the herb butter and spread half of it all over the chicken.  Try to get the butter underneath the skin.

-In a separate bowl cut small potatoes in half and mix with olive oil and salt.  

- Bake the chicken (wing side down) at 425 degrees for about fifteen minutes.  Then take the chicken out and set the oven to 350.  Move the chicken to a different pan and put all of the potatoes in the pan you are cooking the chicken in.  Then move the chicken and put it on top of the potatoes.  Put the chicken back in the oven at 350 degrees (wing side up) or the normal way you cook a chicken.  Let the chicken cook for about an hour and ten minutes.  Make sure to buy a thermometer so you can check the temperature of your chicken to make sure it is cooked enough.  Stick the thermometer in your chicken and make sure it is at least 170 degrees. 

New Recipes

  My cute cousin Alex has a new blog and I love all of her recipes she posts.  I bought ingredients to try three of her recipes.  They were so delicious!  I have been eating taco bell ( can't believe I am admitting this) because I haven't been feeling good and for some reason it doesn't make me want to barf.  I would never ever go to taco bell before I was pregnant.  But now I will pretty much eat anything that doesn't gross me out.  Having a baby takes forever....I am the least patient person alive.  I haven't even gained any weight yet!  I just want to wear cute maternity clothes all the time.  I guess it will come soon enough.  I am trying to be as healthy as I can for the baby.  I have been swimming and riding a stationary bike on the days I don't feel sick.  I'm trying to drink a spinach smoothie at least once a day for some vegetables.  Its crazy how strict I was on what I would eat before I was pregnant.  You could not pay me to eat at a fast food place.  I just don't care as much now, when you are sick you kind of stop caring a little.  Here are the recipes I made last week:
                                 

Tomato Basil Mozzarella Pasta

Orzo pasta

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Recipes:

Tomato Basil Motz Pasta
Angel Hair Pasta
Tomatoes - diced the size you like
Mozzarella cheese - diced
Basil - chopped
Chicken - cut up
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Olive Oil
SALT! and pepper

Once the pasta is done I add the ingredients right away so the cheese will get melty.

Orzo Pasta

Orzo Pasta

Olive Oil

Tomato 

Basil

Feta

Garlic

Onion Powder 

Salt & Pepper

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
By Alex
3 cups white sugar

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I put more because this is clearly not enough chocolate) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. 

I have way too many shows that I am watching right now.  There are so many good ones on!