Food Rules: Not Your Typical Resolution Plan

January's most popular four-letter word has got to be "diet." Followed by a string of other four-letter words I'm not going to type here :)  But the basic story is that diets are rarely fun.  We do them out of necessity, and we generally feel a little spiteful and resentful because of all the things we're giving up.  And my problem with diets is that the second I stop actively dieting, the weight I've lost just goes back on.  I love food way too much to be very successful at limiting myself to "diet foods" for a long period of time.  So, over the years, I've learned that if I want to trim down, I absolutely have to add exercise into my regimen.  And really, adding in a sixty minute workout versus spending my entire day obsessing over calorie count is actually an easier tradeoff, right?  On top of the awesome calorie burn, working up a good sweat does sooo many good things for me:  It makes me nice, zaps away anxiety, gives me pretty muscle tone, and makes my sleep so very restful.  What I'm trying to say is that I won't be posting a lot of super-restricted recipes here this month.  I'll be sticking to my usual fare of meals that are heavy on the veggies and not terribly decadent with the calorie count.  And, I've assembled a collection of fairly healthy recipes up there on the new Healthy Stuff tab.

But!!  What I will be Resoultion-ing here is a new series around Food Rules.  Have you seen the movie "Food, Inc?"  It really makes you pause to consider where your food came from and the things that are put into it as it's processed.  With all the cancer that has popped up in my family and all the disease and poor health you see on the news every night, "Food, Inc" really inspired me to be more diligent about eating whole foods - those less processed and with fewer additives.

So, each week I'll be posting a couple of new Food Rules from Michael Pollan's book (Food Rules: An Eater's Manual) that I'm trying to adopt into my lifestyle.  Some will be decently easy, others will definitely require some rearranging of how I shop and eat.  But all are in the name of cleaning up my diet and being a healthier version of me, no matter the size printed on my jeans.

Let's Do This!

p.s.  Be sure to check back in tomorrow, because I'm hosting a GIVEAWAY of Michael Pollan's book, plus a couple of other nifty items!! :)

A Peppermint Pause for the Holidays

Good Morning!

I just wanted to stop in to say that I'm going to disappear on you for a bit over the next couple of weeks.

You see, I'm always fighting an internal battle of being "in the moment," and during times when my task lists are a million miles long, I especially struggle with enjoying the here and now.  So this year, I'm vowing to let things fall off my gargantuan to-do list.  I'm allowing myself to be ok with doing less.  I'm embracing my inner slacker.  And, as a result, I'm really going to soak in the spirit of Christmas, and that alone makes my heart beat a little faster.

I had a handful of recipes I wanted to post this week, but I let my weekend get jammed with holiday crafting and baking and shopping and sitting with piping hot coffee.  And, honestly, all I can say is, "ahhhhh..."  I'm feeling much more centered already.  And after tomorrow night, my task list will be empty.  Which means that I can fill my evenings with Christmas movies and board games and a baking session or two.  Ahhhhhh...

I hope your holidays are magical and peaceful and filled with things that bring you contentment!

Happiness, Laughter, Love, and Vitality,



p.s.  I've put together a collection of past holiday recipes for easy reference.  Just look up to the new tab above or click this link!  CHRISTMAS COOKIES & CANDIES

Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments

Whenever I see a link for an adorable/neat/funny kid craft, I think, "Oh! I wonder if Mellisa and her kids would like this one?"  So, I blast her email with links to random things in the hopes that at least a few will turn out to be goodies.

And look at these ornaments!  Mellisa and her family made them this week, and they're seriously adorable.  And, as I suspected, while the ornaments were baking, her house smelled like a cinnamon fairy had wafted through, making everything feel magical.  Ahhhhh.... Love it.

Click over to Mellisa's post for the recipe and photos of her sweet family!

Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments

on Getting All My Ducks in a Row

Cookie Dough Dip

Stop.


Hold the show.


This dip is seriously scrumptious.  And it's way healthier than scooping out spoonfuls of regular cookie dough. (Not that I do that.) (Every single time I make cookies.)  And this dip is easier and faster to make too!


(And, psst - wanna know a secret?  Check out the ingredient list below.  You won't believe your eyeballs.  And then you'll accuse me of lying about how delicious this dip is.  But I promise you.  I cross my heart and pinky swear that it's super duper amazingly delicious.  I promise.)

         

Cookie Dough Dip
adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (250g)
pinch salt
scant 1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. nut butter (if you use peanut butter, it’ll have a very-slight “pb cookie dough” taste)
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips, mini size is best
3 Tbsp. oats (or flaxmeal)
1-4 Tbsp. milk/nondairy milk (start with 1 Tbsp., and add more as needed)

Add all ingredients (except for chocolate chips) to a blender or food processor, and blend until very smooth. Then stir in the chocolate chips.

Oatmeal Raisin variation:  Use almond butter instead of peanut butter and add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon.  Swap raisins for the chocolate chips.

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