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What I'm cooking lately.....

This is my "weekend", as I worked through the weekend - so got Monday & Tuesday off! Day 1 was glorious.

I started it off at 7 am @ Starbucks, and then a 5 mile walk with a dear friend. Our tradition for "catching up" is to bring our coffee dates "on the go". It was such a beautiful morning in Tucson...about 50 degrees with a gorgeous sunrise.

Then I got home, and decided to take advantage of this day. As I am well aware that everywhere in the Lower 48, except the SW(?!), are dealing with seriously insane weather!! So I opened all the windows, and spent my day cleaning, doing yard work, and meal prepping for the week.

And here is what I came up with!:

1. Kale Salad.
  • I told you guys I'm obsessed!
  • Except this time I chopped up my kale, and dressed with w/ 2 fresh lemons, 1/4 cup balsalmic vinegar, 3 Tbsp olive oil, garlic, S & P.
  • For dinner, I enjoyed with a grilled chicken breast!

2. Anti-inflammatory butternut squash.
  • Ew, that sounds rather medicinal. It's delicious. Being the nurse in my circle of friends, I was approached by some of my DTG's (tri-group) about alternative methods of anti-inflammatories because they currently were popping advil prior, after, sometimes during their long rungs. So I whipped up this recipe to share!
  • Bake 1 butternut squash @ 400 for 45 minutes (just cut in half, drizzle with olive oil prior to baking). Scoop out the contents, mash it up, and mix in 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp tumeric, & S & P to taste.
  • It is delicious! And it has healing benefits!
3. Protein balls.
  • I'm off to NM this weekend to check out my husbands new "digs". And his request is I make these protein balls for him.
  • These I've posted in the past. 3/4 cup natural PB, 2 scoops protein powder, 1/4 cup raw honey, 3/4 cup oats. Mix well, roll into balls, and eat as a pre/post workout snack!
  • I also will have one of these (a small one) in the evenings if I'm craving something "sweet". I figure one of those is better than a cookie!
4. White bean hummus.
  • 1 can white beans, 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of 2 lemons, bunch of fresh rosemary (or 1 Tbsp), S & P to taste, and maybe a touch of sriracha for a kick! Blend in your food processor & enjoy with vegetables or as a sandwich spread!
  • When I make this for parties, I will also make a rosemary oil to drizzle on top - where I just take 1/4 cup O.O., 2 cloves minced garlic, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Heat up, but don't brown garlic, and pour on top of the hummus.
  • I make this a lot, especially to use up my rosemary. As rosemary grows like mad in the desert!

It felt good to get busy in my kitchen! I have to admit, I've been doing much better lately about cooking meals and eating real food for dinner when Ryan is gone! My diet has made a shift to 80/20 clean/paleo-ish.....so it's required me to have to try a little harder! (No more cheese, crackers, and wine for dinner....well, maybe once a week :D)

What have you been cooking lately? Do you have a "go to" little something for when you're craving something sweet?

Comments

Lisa's Yarns said…
That all sounds wonderful. I love squash so am sure I would like butternut squash with those seasonings!

I hadn't had meat in a while, so this weekend I made a chicken & broccoli rabe dish which I have been eating in the evenings this week and then on Sunday I made an indian lentil stew which turned out great and that has been my lunches. I can not get my act together to cook on week nights so it works well for me to make 2 big meals on the weekends.

Those proteins balls sound yummy!
Marlys said…
I usually cook one big batch of soup or something on weekends during the winter and it provides an evening meal or two, which I love! I love humus, but your Dad doesn't so I end up eating it myself. I didn't know that squash had anti-inflammatory qualities, but the added tumeric may also help! I love squash, and it freezes well after being prepared.
Have a great trip to NM to see Ryan!

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