Almond Joy update

So, I promised that I'd update with a picture of my Almond Joy dessert...
So, it is: almong flour, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, cocoa, and agave...

I made this for hubby (it's supposed to be a flower:))

Avocado Sandwich

This is hubby;s favorite!

Pretty easy sandwich, got good high quality fats and protein...although the bread is a carb, try to get good quality bread so that it isn't that bad...

First, take two pieces of bread (I like to toast the bread first - DH likes it untoasted - since this sandwich was for hom, I left it untoasted)...then sppon out avocado onto one side of the bread (since I'm in FL, I use florida avocadoes, cause they are cheap and really good!)...




Then I make a sauce using yogurt (I use Fage - fat free) and Sun dried tomato pesto, and spread that on the other side of the bread...





Then I put a few slices of tomato on one side, and some spinach on the other...



DH just went for a long run, and was worn out, so I wanted to give him some protein, so I included tempeh (tempeh is a soy product fermented with bacteria - sounds gross but its really good...it is not overly processed like tofu is, so its not "bad" in the way that processed tofu is...I get these patties from a local grocery store, and they are made locally also - this is tough to find if you aren't in a vegetarian friendly town) in the sandwich - personally, unless I'm in need of protein, I like it better without the tempeh, but he likes it better with...I just boil it, then put it on the sandwich...





When I have the tempeh in it, it is a huge sandwich, so I then stick a toothpick in either side, and then cut it in halves...




Anyway, a good quick sandwich - enjoy!!

Curried Lentils for dinner

Ok, this is DH favorite meal of all the ones that I make for him...
It actually takes longer than 5 minutes - you can do a shortcut if you use canned lentils instead of dried ones...

Ingredients:
White/Brown Quinoa
Fage Yogurt
Green lentils
Raisins
**I meant to put some spinach in there, but forgot, so you can add that also



Start the lentils first...
For 2 people, I measure out exactly 1/2 cup of lentils...put them in the pot with about 1 1/4 cups water (I don't measure the water, just eyeball it...), and boil it...it has to boil for a total of 20 minutes, so if I need to add more water, I'll do it later...I lost the op to my pot, so I boil it without a top on it...let it go for about 10 minutes by itself...then come back, add curry and everglades seasoning (I add a pretty decent amount)...then mix...and let it go for the last 10 minutes...






During the last 10 minutes, I start the quinoa. Quinoa is a really weird grain, not well known, but super super nutritious! Here is some more about it from Wikipedia:

In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%), making it a healthful choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source.[5] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.

You can boil it in a pot, but I'm impatient, so I just stick it in the microwave...

Anyway...for 2 people, I measure out 3/4 cup of quinoa - I use both the brown and white quinoa mixed together (at the store, it is about $3.99/pound, so not too expensive)


then I add about 1 1/2 cup water (again, I just eyeball it)...


I stick it in the microwave for 8 minutes...when done, I stir it around a bit...

if it is a bit watery, I'll put it in for another 2 minutes, if not, I'll use it as is...

Since I usually start the quinoa when there is about 10 minutes left with the lentils, they finish up at the same time...so, I plate it by putting the quinoa on the plate, then the lentils on top - then the most important parts...Fage yogurt and raisins on top...this MAKES the dish...it really is SO yummy!!



Nutritional Information:

Dessert: Raw/No Sugar Almond Joy Balls

I need to get pictures of this next time...
This takes about 5 minutes to make (10 minutes to "set" in the freezer), but hubby is absolutely addicted to them since I began making them last week...they really do taste like Almond Joy! YUMMY!

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon Coconut Oil
1/2 cup Almond Flour (this is kinda hard to find, but I found it really cheap on the internet)
1 teaspoon agave nectar
about 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa
pinch of salt

Heat the coconut oil in a microwave safe dish for about 20 seconds, and it will melt...then add the almond flour and mix well...add the other ingredients...then make into a bunch of little balls, and put in the freezer for about 10 minutes (enough time for the coconut oil to harden)...and done!!

This isn't a big dessert, and it DEFINITELY has fats in it (but not *bad* fats)...
However, if you are craving *something*...this is a good option...

Nutritional information:
Coconut oil (1 teaspoon): 58.5 Cal (7 g Fat, 0 g Carbohydrates, 0 g Protein)
Almond flour (1/2 cup): 320 Cal (28 g Fat, 12 g Carbohydrates - 6gFiber/2gSugar, 12 g Protein)
Cocoa (1/2 teaspoon): 3 Cal (0 g Fat, 1 g Carbohydrates - .5gFiber/0gSugar, 0 g Protein)
Agave (1 teaspoon): 30 Cal (0 g Fat, 8 g Carbohydrates - 0gFiber/8gSugar, 0 g Protein)

Total Calories: 411.5
Fat: 35 g
Carbohydrates: 21 g
Fiber: 6.5 g
Sugar: 10 g
Protein: 12 g

Since this was split in two, the total was: 205.75 per person - not bad!
Fat: 17.5 g
Carbohydrates: 10.5 g
Fiber: 3.25 g
Sugar: 5 g
Protein: 6 g

Cooking with me!

I've been in the process of going vegetarian since 1993...
In 1993, I stopped eating meat...
In 1998, I stopped eating chicken...
In 2006, I stopped eating fish...

So, my protein has relied on eating copious amounts of soy...
Well, turns out soy isn't so good for you (highly processed, etc.), and also not good for a guy (excess estrogen) so now, I'm trying to eliminate that as well for me and DH...

Besides that, I'm an absolute suger addict...and well, that's not good either...

So, my four main goals for the new year:
1. Cut down on sugar
2. Eliminate soy from my diet
3. Eat balanced meals
4. Make meals that DH likes

So, since I'm only on CD5, and have a while to wait till O...my next few days will be spent trying to write down some good recipes that I've found so far...

Dinner: Zucchini Spaghetti

I'm working on getting better at dinner. I never do anything that takes longer than 10-15 minutes to prepare. I'm trying to stay away from carbohydrates, so I substitute zucchini for the noodles - thats the only part that takes a while. The thing I use to make the spaghetti from the zucchini is this:



I got one off of ebay for $20 shipped, and I use it all the time (for about a year now)
The next time I make it, I'm going to try to include meatless meatballs (but I have to come up with a recipe for that first).

Spaghetti noodles: Raw Zucchini that is "spaghettified" (I cut up two of them - took about 3 minutes).





Put in a pan, with one tablespoon of coconut oil and a bit of Everglades seasoning (to taste).




Cooked for about 5 minutes. **I should have drained off the excess water here, but I didn't - I will next time.

Sauce: Classico Spaghetti sauce and 1.5 tablespoons of Sun-dried tomato pesto, I also included all of the spinach that I had.









The whole thing has a ton of flavor, and is pretty nutritious. Put a bit of good-quality ROmano cheese on top, and done!

Nutritional Information:
2 Zucchini: 31 Cal each = 62 Cal total (0 g Fat, 14 g Carbohydrates - 4gFiber/6gSugar, 4g Protein)
1 tablespoon Coconut Oil = 117 Cal total (14 g Fat, 0 g Carbohydrates, 0 g Protein) **I use Coconut oil for everything from cooking, to conditioner, to lipgloss, to moistureizer, it is the best of the best!! Learn more about it here:
Coconut Oil is good for you
Spaghetti Sauce: 70 Cal per 1/2 cup serving (we ate 3 servings) = 210 Cal total (6 g Fat, 30 g Carbohydrates - 6gFiber/18gSugar, 6 g Protein)
Sun-dried Pesto: 65 Cal total - for 1/2 a serving - a serving is 1/4 cup, I had about 1/8 cup (6.5 g Fat, 3.5 g Carbohydrates - .5gFiber/1.5gSugar, 1 g Protein)
Spinach: 7 Cal total (0 g Fat, 1 g Carbohydrates - 1gFiber/0gSugar, 1 g Protein)

Total: 461 Cal (26,5 g Fat, 48.5 g Carbohydrates - 11.5gFiber/19.5gSugar, 12 g Protein)

Since this was for both of us, the total Cal per person was: 230.5 - WOW!

Given my calculations, I definitely need more protein here. I think that the meatless meatballs if made with almond flour and egg, will more than make up for that...so that is the goal next time...