Archive for ‘Food for Thought’

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April 13, 2011

Overnight Choco-Coconut Oats

Wow. It has been a WEEK since I last blogged. I am SO sorry, devoted readers. Shame on me. In my defense, things have been crazy but I won’t bore you with the details. For quite some time now I have come across recipes from my favorite blogs (here, here, here and here) that incorporate chia seeds. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them and finally did this past weekend from my local health food store when I was home (they don’t have them in cow country, sorry to disappoint my fellow huskies).

What makes chia seeds so great, you ask? They are a fit foodie’s must-have in a nutshell. Chia seeds help with weight loss, make you feel full (and stay full), reduce food cravings/blood pressure, are a great source of Omega-3…need I say more? Dr. Oz even says it is one of the top 5 supplements to have in your cabinet. Ok, ok…you get it. Now onto my wonderful breakfast of overnight oats. Who likes dessert at 7 a.m.? ME, ME, ME! PICK ME!

Ingredients
(Courtesy of Oh She Glows)
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoon chia seeds
1 1/2 tablespoon protein powder (substitute: carob powder or peanut flour)
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
Unsweetened shredded coconut, to top

The instructions are easy: mix all the ingredients together in a container of your choice and place  in the fridge overnight. It is a tasty, healthy meal to wake up to and made my morning, that’s for sure. With a similar texture to tapioca pudding, the Choco-Coco Oats were rich and chocolaty, plus kept me full all morning long! I cannot wait to make more and play around with different ingredients/mix-ins. For example, adding in some coconut butter would have made this even more out of this world. Throwing frozen fruit in the food processor and layering it in between? Yes. Maybe trying a peanut butter version with crunchy peanut butter and peanut flour instead of the protein powder? Double yes. I’ll experiment and let you know where I get. As for now, I want to make it known that this is the perfect on-the-go, breakfast for those who “don’t have time.” Quick, easy, nutritious and delicious. Score! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the chia seeds and am looking forward to incorporating them more into my diet. Thanks for understanding my chaotic life and still coming back to me. Love you for that! Have you ever tried chia seeds? What did you think?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Breakfast, Food for Thought | 10 Comments »

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April 6, 2011

Old Bay

After a long (but very good) day yesterday, I came home to find a small package with my name on it sitting on our kitchen table. Am I the only one who still gets ridiculously excited over receiving mail? Like a small child, I drop everything I’m doing to rip open the box or envelope in question to reveal its contents…which is just what I did last night. My roomies and I never check the mail. Like ever so goodness knows how long this has been sitting in our mailbox waiting for me. Anyway, inside I found Old Bay Seasoning with a note from my uncle…Uncle Bill, you’re the best!

Old Bay is used on virtually everything down in Baltimore, where my mom’s side of the family is from, yet hard to find up here in New England. I have been looking everywhere for it, to no avail. It makes seafood and other meat taste amazing with it’s zesty flavor, not to mention snacks like popcorn or veggies. I cannot wait to try it on my roasted chickpeas! You know how certain foods or smells reminds you of something? This seasoning brings me back to my routes and reminds me of family, fun memories in Charm City and good eatin’.

Thanks again, Uncle Bill! You made my day. Just wait for the recipes I’m going to make with this schtuffffff…yum! What seasoning can you not live without? What flavors remind you of home?

Sprinkled Generously with Old Bay,
Lauren

Posted in Food for Thought, Reviews | 2 Comments »

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March 21, 2011

Leprechaun 5-Miler

Yesterday was the first day of spring. Yay, finally! I celebrated by participating in the Leprechaun 5-miler with my old roomie and fellow blogger, Emily, and her bf. It was a bit windy along the water but still fairly warm, compared to today’s snow we are experiencing (as I type) in Connecticut…

It was great to get together, exercise and enjoy the sunshine, not to mention support the Exchange Club’s national mission, Child Abuse Prevention and programs of service, in which all race proceeds went to.

The relatively flat course started at the Madison Surf Club and winded alongside the Long Island Sound on Middle Beach Road. Our goal was to run 9 minute splits, yet we ended in roughly (we’ll have to check our official time online once they are posted…) 42:20! Fine with that!

All in all, the 5 mile race was a great way to celebrate St. Patty’s Day weekend and the first day of spring! Let’s just hope that the weather starts acting like it is supposed to. Don’t you like our green? Special shout out and thanks for those who suggested some great jams for my run! Couldn’t have done it without ya! How are you celebrating spring and the warmer weather?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Food for Thought, Random | 13 Comments »

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March 18, 2011

Tofu Shirawhat-y?

I was ecstatic when I found Tofu Shirataki in my local grocery store last week! I have been looking forward to trying these low carb, low calorie, vegan noodles ever since a good friend of mine, Emily, pointed them out during a Whole Foods shopping trip. What is this stuff exactly? Basically, it is a combination of the root of the Konnyaku – a member of the yam family – and tofu. It may not sound too appealing, but guess what? An entire 8 oz. bag has just 40 calories and 6 g. carbs! Caaarazy, I know. I decided to reuse a delightful vegetable stir fry recipe I made a while back (seen here) with a few minor adjustments to see how the noodle substitute compared. To be honest, I was skeptical at first while preparing the Tofu Shirataki (the stench was overwhelmingly unappetizing), but the end result was divine. Two thumbs up! I can proudly say that I am officially a Tofu Shirataki fan and plan to replace pasta with these fun noodlies very often in the future.

Ingredients
1 bag of Tofu Shirataki (I used angel hair)
Veggies of your choice (I used kale, broccoli, red bell pepper, onion and asparagus)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
1 1/2 tablespoons ginger
Sesame seeds (or flaxseeds) to top the dish and/or chopped peanuts (optional)

Over medium heat, combine garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar and ginger.

Add in your vegetables of choice and sauté. Mmm smells delicious…

Turn down the heat and stir in the crunchy peanut butter.

Now, time to prepare the noodles. Don’t they sort of look like Ramen? ✄ Cut open the package and drain the noodles into a colander. Rinse them thoroughly with cold water (for about 1 minute) and blot dry with a paper towel. Next, put them in a bowl and place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until completely dry. WARNING: The Tofu Shirataki is extremely smelly! Bleh…the fishy-ness almost made me give up, DON’T! I swear the end result is amazing and worth the few minutes of nose-plugging.

Once you have prepared the Tofu Shirataki, mix the noodles in with the vegetables and voilà, a guilt-free Asian inspired stir fry! I topped the dish with flaxseeds for an extra crunch. Mmmmmm….

Side Note: I need your help! I’m signed up for the Leprechaun 5-miler this Sunday with Emily and am working on a solid playlist. Any suggestions? What songs really pump you up?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

Posted in Dinner, Food for Thought, Reviews | 7 Comments »

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March 7, 2011

Snack Trends

I have been noshing like it’s my job lately…I blame the weather. Here are three snacks I simply can’t get enough of this past week. Nom, nom, nom!

Banana slices with crunchy peanut butter…Skippy’s Natural Super Chunk is my favorite.

Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt with strawberries, sprinkled with cocoa powder and drizzled with honey tastes like dessert without dessert calories. It’s a great, healthy cure to any sweet tooth craving, while incorporating a great source of protein (14 g) and fruit!

Oven roasted veggies are to die for! I could eat these for every meal. Place your favorite vegetables on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and pop ‘em in the oven at 400°F for 15-25 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Season with a pinch of kosher salt. Make extra for easy leftovers or to fill omelets with! By the way, happy Monday SWL readers. I had a great weekend in Vermont with friends, although the rainy conditions kept us off the slopes. Quite a relaxing kickoff to my Spring Break. Any fun plans this week? Any recipes you’re dying to try?

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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March 4, 2011

Bye, Bye Belly Bloat

Bloat. Ugh. A common issue we all try are darnedest to rid, yet often struggle to succeed in doing. I by no means condone the “crash dieting” fad many of my peers have come to rely on for beach-ready bods, but do have a few simple tricks to lose the pooch. You may not realize that you’re feeding into, literally, some of culprits of bulging bellies so Spring Breakers, listen up!

Taylor and I on Halloween…stay away from pizza if you’re trying to banish belly bulge!

Natural Remedies - Believe it or not, there are a lot of natural remedies that help alleviate bloating like ginger and peppermint tea. According to Redbook Magazine, you may want to try pineapple and papaya, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, as well as foods rich in potassium like mangoes, spinach, asparagus, tomatoes and bananas, which contain an amino acid (asparagine) that act as a diuretic. Exercise comes into play here, too!


Cut Back on Sodium Intake – Sodium retains water. By reducing your daily consumption and by drinking lots of fluids, your body will flush out excess sodium, helping you look and feel better! Try cutting back on cheeses, soups, highly processed foods and salt-based seasonings.

Pass on Gassy Foods - Foods that cause gas accumulation include dairy, beans, sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, among others. You don’t need to completely cut these out of your diet, but you’ll be happier in your bikini or swim trunks if you eat them in moderation. Fizzy drinks also trap gas in your stomach and intestines, causing buildup and puffiness so avoid these, too!


Eat Less, More Often - Eating smaller, more frequent meals boosts your energy levels, metabolism, controls hunger and helps tempers bloating by simply not overindulging in big meals.

Woah, slow down there speedster – Eating too quickly causes you to swallow air which subsequently adds bloat to your belly. Take your time when you eat, what’s the rush? Thoroughly chew, taste and most importantly enjoy what you’re feeding on. Tips: cut food smaller/take littler bites or use smaller utensils. Hey Lauren, what about chewing gum? Yup, you guessed it, same thing…causes you to swallow air so try sucking on a mint instead!

So there you have it SWL fans, 5 ways to battle belly bulge. Have a great weekend (and for my fellow Huskies, a fabulous Spring Break)!

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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February 25, 2011

Foodie Fact Friday

Rainy Fridays are the worst! Ugh, I wish I was going away for Spring Break…this weather is getting monotonous. Here are 5 stories and fun facts I found interesting this week. Stay dry today, my fellow New Englanders!

How McDonald’s Screwed Up Oatmeal (Huffington Post)
Gross. I hate McDonalds and would never let them ruin my love for oatmeal.

5 Grocery Shopping Myths Busted (Eatingwell.com)
Interesting stuff! Especially loved #3 and #5.

Chocolate’s Startling Health Benefits (Huffington Post)
Win, win for chocolate lovers!

New Uses for Everyday Ingredients (Cookinglight.com)
I will definitely be trying out the unexpected peanut butter and cinnamon applications.

Effort to Grow Broccoli on East Coast Gets $5 Million Investment (Huffington Post)
YAY! I’m sick of spending an arm and a leg for one of my fav veggies.


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February 14, 2011

Wicked Weekend Wrap-Up

This Valentine’s Day weekend was absolutely fabulous, minus the fact I’m battling a bad head cold. I went home Friday afternoon, hung out with my family and went to my sister’s hockey game after making a delicious vegetable/tofu stir-fry over pasta for dinner. It was an exciting game against our biggest rival, tied 0-0 going into the last period! I can definitely see myself being a crazy hockey mom someday…I was cheering loudly as my dad hit the boards with his fist in outrage at every unfavorable call. It was fun, even though the nail-biter ended with a loss. The Lady Skating Tigers outplayed the darn Indians the entire game, which made the L a lot worse. Anyway, it was great to be home and see my family.

Picture courtesy of my Blackberry

Saturday morning I woke up bright and early for the Big Apple. For my birthday/Christmas, Mike got me Wicked tickets and planned a day in the city for us. It was a wonderful day, excluding my sneezing, scratchy throat and throbbing headache. We grabbed a quick lunch at 30 Rock, Mike’s old and future stomping grounds, before briskly making our way over to Broadway. The show was absolutely incredible. The music, costumes, set, etc., were out of this world! I’d see it again. And again. I’m pretty sure Mike liked it a lot, too, as much as a guy likes musicals…

Loving my new boots!

After the show, we walked a bit, eventually catching a cab when we got too cold down to Chelsea Market. We had some time before our dinner reservation so shopped a bit. How cool is the Anthropologie store front!?

Picture courtesy of my Blackberry

For dinner we went to Pastis, a cute French bistro in the meatpacking district that offers moderately priced, upscale cuisine. We sat at a romantic table for two in the corner and split a bottle of San Pelligrino (Mike snorted when I wanted sparkling water over a bottle of wine and then ordered a beer for masculinity purposes). I ordered the Seared Organic Salmon with Lentils, Frisée & Mushrooms in Mustard Sauce, Mike got the Cheeseburger, surprise, surprise. He is such an adventurous eater…The food was incredible, the dining area was upbeat and lively. All in all, fabulous meal. We concluded our night by stopping in the Brass Monkey for a drink. I ordered a cosmo for Sex & The City’s sake. It was strong but delish. We headed back home shortly after, exhausted from our fantastic day. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Sprinkled with Lots of Love,
Lauren

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February 11, 2011

Ski Lodge Dining Tips

Healthy ski lodge dining can be hard to find and just plain inconvenient. To ensure stamina and functionality on the slopes, though, you have to start by refueling your body with nutritious food, not garbage. Below are some of my solutions to the unhealthy ski lodge dining rut!

Paper Bag It – Economical and healthy! You control what you pack for lunch, therefore managing the portion size and nutritional value of your overall meal. Fibrous carbohydrates and lean protein keep your energized and helps maintain your endurance throughout the day. Try turkey on a whole wheat wrap, rolled up with lots of veggies or Greek yogurt with granola. An apple with peanut butter or an orange are easy to transport and give you the nutrients you need with all that strenuous exercise.


The Good Ol’ H2O: Skiing, just like any other kind of physical activity, requires hydration. Your body simply needs water after the demand it has endured on the slopes. Dehydration can be detrimental in combination with high altitudes so grab a bottle of water or a sports drink with electrolytes instead of a soda or coffee, which can simply dehydrate you more! Is it weird that I have always secretly wanted one of those CamelBak hydration packs? Come on…they’re pretty bad ass.

Snackity Snack: I’m a big snacker, partially because I turn into a cranky monster when hungry. Beware. Anyway, throw an easily accessible snack in your ski jacket pocket to munch on while you sit on the lift. You’ll be glad you did, especially if you skipped breakfast. Trail mix, almonds and protein bars (as seen here) are perfect go-to snacks that will keep you fueled until you can make a pit-stop for lunch.


Make Good Choices: Ha, I know it sounds like what your parents said to you in high school before going out…but by this I mean choosing wisely, the healthy option. Sometimes it is easier to listen to your grumbling stomach rather than your brain. Instead of taking your time in the herd of hungry skiers, you grab whatever is in reach to get in line faster. Take your time! There are salad options or healthy sandwiches, sometimes buried but they’re there. It may seem obvious but, think and/or read the nutrition facts before purchasing.

Mountains may differ in terrain, but one thing seems to stay fairly consistent: ski lodge dining. Next time you suit up for the slopes I hope you keep my healthy tips in mind to ensure more time shredding up the double black diamonds and less time relaxing indoors with your feet up. Get your money’s worth of that expensive lift ticket. It starts with what you put in your body.

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren

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February 4, 2011

Foodie Fact Friday: Super Bowl Edition

Beer, chicken wings, nachos, pigs in a blanket…the Super Bowl has turned into a tradition focused more on binge eating and drinking than watching the actual game. No matter where you end up plopped in front of a television, there will undoubtedly be a buffet of junk food, calories and fat. Just because the guys on your flat screen are running around and sweating doesn’t mean you can gorge yourself! Try noshing on some of my healthy-alternatives below, all previous posts of mine (a little walk down memory lane).

Kiwi Salsa

Black Bean and Corn Salad/Salsa

Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Hummus

Turkey, Brie and Apple Sandwich

Turkey Chili

Gingery Turkey & Cucumber Pitas w/ Ramen Noodle Salad

No Bake Cookies

For more ideas and healthy recipes check out FitSugar.com or EatingWell.com. Have fun this weekend! Let’s go Giants! …oh wait, they were awful this year. Fail.

Sprinkled with Love,
Lauren


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