Lunch anyone? Pizza maybe?

Pizza.  One of the meals that kids love... and adults too.  The thing that I worried about when starting to change our eating was the things my kids would miss.  I didn't want them to feel like they were "going without" per say.  It was not that bad with Tate because for him, anything is better, then the baby formula that he has been on, but Ava, well little noodle is different.  She loves food.  I wanted her to still have those memories of eating dinners, that she liked, having treats on movie nights and helping me make dinners.  We made these little pizzas the other day for lunch and they were splendid, very colorful too.

Here's the Recipe

Ezekials Pita Pocket Bread

Amy's Pasta Sauce

1 Zucchini

Canned Black Olives

1 Red pepper

1/2 onion

Almond Cheese Mozerella style

Some red pepper flakes (for a little kick)

A little garlic salt

A pinch of basil or fresh basil leaves

(any other veggies you think should go on a pizza)

Assemble pizza to your liking, and bake at 375 for about 10 minutes. 

The kids loved em' and had fun picking out what they wanted on it.  Ava even helped me cut the veggies on her little cutting board.  She did a great job and would even munch as she cut.  Healthy Lunch, Happy memories.

Dobru Chut!

PS- Something I learned while checking on the pizzas- almond cheese does not melt, so do not let that be a deciding factor as to when the pizza is done.  Gees who would of guessed?

Super Snack

If your kids are anything like mine, they love to snack.  I swear, two bottomless pits are what they call tummies.  I love these fruit strips for them.  All natural, all different kinds, all day long.  I never feel guilty about them snacking on these before dinner.  "Another mom, please."  I respond, "by all means, and take one for the road."  You can get them just about anywhere, but the best bang for your buck is at Costco where you can get a whole bunch- one for you, one for a friend and all the rest for the kids, guilt free.  Love it! Healthy Snacks, Happy Kids, Gleaming Mom.

By the way...

I am starting to realize that cooking healthier is all about the substitutions.  Get creative, substitute out milk for soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk or almond milk, Switch chocolate chips for vegan chocolate chips.  Get rid of white sugar for honey, frutose, or agave.  Try wheat flour, spelt, ot oat flour instead of white flour.  Many of your favorite meals don't have to be thrown out because of some simple ingredient.  Who knows you might like it better then the original.  Go on give it a try!

Peanut Butter Cups

I found this Fudge Nut Ball recipe and with a little tweeking turned them into Peanut Butter cups.

Peanut Butter Cups

1 cup organic peanut butter
I cup Vegan chocolate chips
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup chopped nuts of your choice

Melt the peanut butter, choclate chips, and maple syrup in a sauce pan over medium heat until mixture is smooth.  Take off heat.  Add the chopped nuts.  Spoon into muffin tins and out in fridge til cool and somewhat hardened.  Remove wrapper for the rippled edge look, close your eyes and bite into sweetness.

By the way- you can use cocoa powder if you don't have chocolate chips, just stick them in the freezer to harded.  I use abhout 3/4 cup cocoa if choclate chips are absent.

Healthy Treats, Happy daughter.  Dobru Chut. 

David says that he thinks they are better then the real thing,  Leave me your thoughts on this sweet matter.

Gimme some of that Granola Goodness

Granola (Courtesy of  CNM)
6 Cups Oats
1/2 cup molassas
3/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 cup nuts, chopped
2/3 cup honey
2/3 cup oil
2 TB water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup raisins ( way optional)

Combine dry and wet ingredients seperately, then combine.  Stir well to coat.  Many of the ingredients are optional and can be substituted for.  Turn into two large shallow baking sheets.  Cook in oven at 300 degrees for 25-35 minutes-stiring occassionally.  Be sure not to overcook- just until lightly toasted.  Cool and crumble into pieces-store in airtight container.  May be frozen.  Makes 14 cups and is soooooo good. Observe.

Healthy Breakfast, happy everyone.  Dobru Chut!

One Fine Finery

One reason I love traveling is food. I heart new restaurants and eating out. Davy and I have been in Seattle this week visiting family and got the best gift, a night out minus two. Knowing my love language is food, we went out to eat at this little gem of a place.

It was an Indian restaurant and it was delish.  I had the Vegetable Curry and Davy had number 58, dont remember the name, but it had black beans, spices, garlic, onion and everythng in between that produces a perfect vegan meal.  Everything was dairy free.  We loved it- a definate recommend.  Dobru Chut.

Healthy meal... happy hubby. (sideways, but happy)

My name is Aimee... and I want to be Vegan.

It Vegan this way, my husband asking me to change the way our family ate for 40 days.  No meat, no dairy, no white or wheat flour, and of course no sugar. 

Whew! Reluctantly, I agreed and surprise,surprise have L-O-V-E-D it. 
What a journey it has been discovering a new way of eating, cooking new meals, watching my children devour them and feeling great the whole way knowing I was creating a healthier palete for my little family

I bought this cookbook a few weeks into it and fell head over heals for the recipes and information it had.  Not only did it make me want to cut my curls and cares away and get some tattoos, but also to educate myself more about veganism.  I wanted to not only share some awesome recipes, but also some info which may or may not be as tastey.  Anywhoo... I would love to share this experienve with all you peeps and if you need some recipes, some soapbox rants, or some ideas to help create a more healthy and happy menu for your littles, I would love to help you vegin. 

Healthy meals, happy family.  and as the Czechs say Dobru Chut, or good eating!