Monday, May 12, 2014

Welcome Note, Cookies, & Sweet Potato Sliders

During the last few months, I have discovered a new passion for cooking and baking. This discovery happened during the same time I was in the process of transitioning into a healthy, wholesome lifestyle. I don't believe this was a coincidence, either. I've been having so much fun learning about my body, how it works and what foods are best for me. It's even more fun finding recipes and creating yummy treats in the kitchen that are good for my body. 

I've learned so much about myself along the way. I never thought of myself as someone who could cook, but that's only because I didn't try. Nothing I do is complicated. But it's healthy, wholesome, and beautiful. And after sharing photos on social media, I've had countless people ask me for recipes and request that I be their personal chef. I'm telling you: if I can do it, so can you. It's just a matter of learning what food your body wants and needs, trying different combinations and finding what you like, and having fun with it! Don't make cooking into a chore. Make it fun! This goes the same for fitness and working out. Find ways to move that feel good to you, and do more of it! It's that simple. I do a lot of yoga. It's great for my body and it tones my muscles, but I do it because I think it's fun and feels good. If you hate running, don't run. Fitness is about finding ways to stay active, get your heart rate up and work your muscles. But I think it's just as important for these activities to be enjoyable to you. This way you will look forward to your workouts. So, get out there and find your thing! I will throw in any fitness inspiration I find to share with you along my journey in finding what feels good to me. I've been feeling so good with my new found wellness, and I want you to, also!

I created this blog to share some recipes that I've stumbled across or created myself (along with pretty photos, of course). I will also share any other inspiration or obstacles I experience on my way to a healthy, wholesome life. I hope you enjoy! And please let me know if you have any questions or requests. I'm looking forward to using this blog to enhance my learning experience. If you have any recipes to share that you would like me to try, please do! I want to demonstrate that any normal girl or guy can become a gourmet chef and fitness guru of their own life just by exploring and experimenting. I learn by trial and error and focus on simple, quick, and healthy meals that anyone can prepare. I hope I inspire some of you to spend some time on yourself: feeding your soul, moving your body, and finding what feels and tastes good to you. That is the start to becoming a healthier, happier person. 

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Sundays are usually my prep days. I go grocery shopping, clean and chop up veggies for simple snacking, and cook food for lunches during the upcoming week. It's inevitable that spending all this time in the kitchen will lead to an intense need to bake. So, yesterday, after craving something sweet and delicious, I decided to make these Dark Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies. 

They are simple & quick, and they are made without refined white flour, refined sugar, or butter. Here is the recipe:


1 cup instant oats (make sure to measure these carefully; too many oats will make dry cookies. It's best to measure the oats one spoonful at a time into the measuring cup, leveling as you go, instead of just scooping.)
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (measure these carefully also to not dry out cookies)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. sea salt
1 egg (best if used at room temperature; you can warm it up by placing in warm water for a few minutes)
2 Tbsp. melted coconut oil (you can sub unsalted butter if you prefer)

1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup of honey
Handful of dark chocolate chips (you could also use dried blueberries! yum!)

Whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl, whisk together egg, coconut oil, and vanilla. Stir in honey until combined. Add the dry flour mix to honey mix. Stir until well blended, adding in chocolate chips. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for half an hour.

To bake: preheat over to 325. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and drop cookie dough onto sheet in little balls. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before removing from sheet, and ENJOY! :) 



While these were cooling, my belly started to rumble. It was nearly dinner time. I was never a fan of sweet potatoes, but after reading about all the wonderful benefits they provide, I decided to give them a second chance. Since Sunday was such a beautiful day, the grill was my appliance of choice. Grilled sweet potatoes actually sounded kinda yummy to me. 

After washing and peeling the potato, I sliced it into 1/2 inch pieces. I threw them in a pot of water and brought it to a boil. I let the potato slices cook for about 3-5 minutes. 

Then using a slotted spoon, I moved the slices from the pot to a bowl of cold water. I let them sit for about ten minutes to cool them before grilling. I patted them dry using a paper towel, then I wanted to season them. I decided on using cinnamon and sea salt, but you can use whatever spices you like. Spice one side, then place the spiced side down on the grill, and then spice the other side. Cook the potato slices on medium heat until tender. It should only take a few minutes per side. 

When they were finished cooking, I had an idea to make sweet potato sliders, using the potato slices as buns! My chosen toppings were spinach, egg, and tomato. I quickly fried an egg in olive oil. I chose over-medium so the sliders weren't too sloppy, but you can cook the egg however you like it. This is YOUR dinner after all!

So, finally, I constructed my sliders. Sweet potato buns, with a few spinach leaves, a slice of tomato, and an egg! Ta da! Something new, fun, delicious, and HEALTHY. Perfect for a summer day, and a great low carb barbecue option. I see a lot more sweet potatoes in my future. Enjoy! :)


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