Hear from the Framers

by Lydia Interviews

Hey Everyone!

I hope all of you are enjoying your Tuesday. If not, it was because you didn’t know about Danielle Garza’s Quick and Easy Overnight Oats recipe!

It’s tough sometimes trying to find something healthy in a world of fast food and high carbs. Even breakfast items! The most important meal of the day and it’s too unhealthy and can make you sluggish. Some snack companies claim to be “healthier alternatives” but in reality are actually higher in carbs than the “bad stuff.”

It really can be challenging when you’re trying to stay fit and sometimes you just don’t have time to prepare an easy meal (or your like me and just don’t really care to cook).

Well, no fear! Here is a low-carb alternative that you can put your personal spin on.

 

Quick and Easy Overnight Oats

 

  • Fill mason jar with 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup almond milk, raisins and chia seeds.
  • Blueberries and Bananas (Or any fruit you love)
  • Optional: Add cinnamon or sweetener.
  • Then put in the fridge over night and have a great breakfast ready in the morning that keeps you energized throughout a busy day! Or at least until your next meal 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Food for Thought

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday

10 Interesting Facts About Caffeine

 

https://cranemedicine.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/hot-cup-tea.jpg

People may not think of caffeine as the most popular mood-altering drug in the world, even those who use it daily, by drinking coffee, tea, sodas or energy drinks as part of their routine.

Whether it’s brewed from a K-Cup, sipped in sweet tea, savored in chocolate or downed in cola, caffeine is a mild stimulant to the central nervous system that has become a regular fixture in everyday life. 

 

Cari Nierenberg, a Live Science Contributor, writes about 10 Interesting Facts About Caffeine. This article covers topics like “How Long Does it Stay in Your System?”, “Withdrawal Issues”, “Can People Truly Be Addicted?” and others.

Wellness Wednesday: The Holidays!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Here are some fun recipes to help you get ready for the holidays!

 

8 Hanukkah Recipes For A Happy, Healthy Celebration

http://www.blisstree.com/2012/12/08/food/happy-healthy-hanukkah-recipes-celebrations-food/

Traditional Hanukkah recipes - dessert doughnuts

 

Looking for fun and quick dishes to make for that upcoming Christmas party or family gathering?

Check out this amazing site full of appetizers, cocktails, desserts and more!

 

http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-recipes/

 


 

 

 

Eat Well Wednesday!

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

I love me some Almond butter! I even think it surpasses peanut butter and I have been known to be a big fan of pb.

It is too bad that Almond butter can be anywhere from $6-16 at the store. YIKES!! Good news is you can make your own for a fraction of the cost! Just add different flavorings such as coconut, vanilla, and chocolate, and it takes very little effort to put together.

Today we are going to make
Coconut Vanilla Almond Butter!!

 

 

Gather these 5 ingredients and you are on your way!

2.5 cups of Raw Almonds, unsalted

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds

 

 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Step 2: Place a single layer of almonds on baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, stirring once.

Step 3: Let the almonds cool and then place in food processor

Step 4: Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth. This can take a few minutes so don’t get discouraged. You will also need to stop it every so often and scrape down the sides. This is where a Vita Mix, or super-duper powerful blender comes in handy. That baby can whip up those almonds in a about 2 minutes.

Step 5: Store your delicious, homemade almond butter in a glass jar and keep in the fridge. You are going to want to spread this on everything, toast, pancakes, apples, or perhaps just by the spoonful.

 

 

Enjoy and happy blending!

Be Well!

 

Jill Tarpey Wentworth is leading us Wednesday by Wednesday into making better food choices and being more healthful.  Tune in every Wednesday to get some great recipes and advice from someone who really knows health.  In an effort to fuel her passion to serve as well has enhance the lives of others through their nutritional choices, she started Eat Well SA (San Antonio). Her vision is to educate you on how to incorporate a healthy array of foods into your life.  Eat Well is not a diet, nor does it embrace any one specific dietary agenda. She also offers customized programs that are educational and teach you the tools you need to maintain healthy, well-balanced eating for your busy lives.

Wellness Wednesdays: Thanksgiving Edition

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

 

 

 

Check out this interesting article from the New York Times called:

 

The United States of Thanksgiving

 http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/11/18/dining/thanksgiving-recipes-across-the-united-states.html

 

 

 

Still looking for an easy and creative dish to make for tomorrow?

 

Here are 11 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes great for the big Thanksgiving feast!

 http://www.rd.com/slideshows/11-healthy-thanksgiving-side-dishes/#slideshow=slide4

 

 

 

Wellness Wednesdays

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

If You Only Do 10 Yoga Poses, Do These

 http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11941/if-you-only-do-10-yoga-poses-do-these.html

 

Broken Lady Finger Cookies

Broken Finger Cookies

 

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp red cake-decorating sugar

20 whole blanched almonds OR 20 pieces banana chips

 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat until mixture is no longer “scratchy” sounding against bowl.

4. Beat in egg, vanilla and salt.

5. In separate bowl, mix together flour and baking powder (tip for measuring flour: stir flour, spoon into measuring cup, then level).

6. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.

7. Switch to working in flour mixture with hands when dough gets too stiff to beat.

8. Knead into smooth dough. Roll into 3/4-inch thick “ropes”. Break ropes into 3-inch sections. Pat one end smooth. Dip tip of other end of each piece into milk then red sugar.

9. Place on lined baking sheet. Pressing in sides of rope to prevent flattening, insert almond or piece of banana chip into rounded end. Repeat process to make 20 fingers.

10. Bake on middle rack of oven 17 minutes, or until dough is lightly golden.

Wellness Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hey Framers,

It’s finally Fall and what better way to celebrate than making fun and healthy foods!

Stay tuned each week to see what new recipes we have in store for the Fall season.

 

 

A moist and delicious quick bread that is full of nutrients and perfect for fall.

Makes one standard loaf

 

Ingredients:

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup blackstrap molasses

1/2 cup sucanat

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted, or your favorite oil to bake with

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup pumpkin puree (plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple juice (or orange juice)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (or make it even more wholesome and use raisins or dried cranberries)

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine molasses, sucanat, applesauce, oil, eggs, pumpkin, and apple juice with an electric mixer. Add the dry ingredients and then fold in the chocolate chips.

Spoon your mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 45-60 minutes. (Mine was perfect after 50 minutes)

Let bread sit for 10 minutes, then turn the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely. Don’t be afraid to have a slice while it’s still warm, though.

Nothing beats warm bread fresh out of the oven!

 

 

 

Wellness Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Looking for something new to try but don’t want the hassle?

Here is an easy , yet healthy alternative! This could even be an alternative to pizza if you think about it.

 

Food healthy recipe

 

Ingredients:

Whole grain bread
Low-fat Mozzarella cheese sliced thick
Tomato slices
White onion slices
Turkey Bacon (optional!!)
Green onions cut up
Directions:

Pretty self explanatory but here it is. Put slices of thick mozzarella on bread and put in the oven on broil. Watch it (it won’t take long) until nice and slightly brown on top and melted. Make sure it is melted. Nothing is worse than almost melted cheese. Add bacon and sliced tomatoes, white onion and green onions.

Serve with a small side salad with ranch dressing. Perfect lunch.

(Avoid eating this for dinner. Keep dinner light.)

Wellness Wednesday

by Lydia Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hi Framers!

Can you believe Summer is almost over and Fall is just around the corner?!

Well regardless of the “seasonal change” in Houston, here are a couple of easy healthy recipes to help you get ready for the Fall.

 

27 Awesome Easy Lunches To Bring To Work

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/awesome-easy-work-lunches#mzwu6s

 

Zucchini Pizza

(What could be better than hearing the words “healthy” and “pizza” in the same sentence?)

Zucchini Pizza is great healthy alternative to Pizza. Skip the bread, sub some veggies, still delicious!

Ingredients:
Zucchini
Marinara Sauce
Parmesan Cheese
Jack Cheese
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the Zucchini long ways. Heat up a pan with a bit of oil. Saute the Zucchini to until it’s almost cooked through. Go light on the oil, I always use a Paper Towel to get any excess oil off the Zucchini.

2. After you pat off the excess oil. Put your Zucchini on tin foil or a cookie sheet and build your pizza. I add a little Salt and Pepper on the zucchini, spoon on some Marinara, Sprinkle Jack Cheese and Parmesan on top.

3. Broil on Low for 5 Minutes and you’re ready to eat your delicious and healthy Zucchini Pizza!

 

  And for dessert…

 

NO BAKE Protein Peanut Butter Cups

 

Skinny Peanut Butter Cups, made with Greek yogurt & protein powder #eatclean #peanutbutter #pb2recipes

 
Ingredients:
-4 Cupcake Liners
-2 TB of PB2
-1 TB of water (*may need more)
-2 TB of Plain Greek Yogurt
-1 TB of coco powder (unsweetened)
-1 Scoop of [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder]
*Optional:
-1 Stevia Packet or a small spoonful of Honey *For Taste

 

Directions:

1. Mix together the Coco Powder, Greek Yogurt, and [Chocolate Muscle Milk Protein Powder] . Slowly one TB at a time, add water, until the mixture is easy to pour (NOT THICK).

2. Next (in a separate bowl) mix together your PB2 & water. You may have to slowly add water so that this mixture is also a liquid consistent.

3. First pour your chocolate mixture into the bottom of the cupcake liners, about a quater of the way up. Then Pour your PB2 mixture in.

4. And one more time, Top it off with some more of the Chocolate Mixture. NOTE: You don’t want to fill these up too high since they are mostly “liquid”.

5. Now just pop them in the freezer for about 15 minutes and your all done! I store my leftover ones in the freezer in tupperware containers. They are a great snack when I’m having a chocolate craving!

Total Calories: 87 (one peanut butter cup)
*recipe makes 4 peanut butter cups