Monday, September 26, 2011

Veggie Sandwich

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich

12 Grain Bread (see other blog post for recipe)
Cucumber, sliced
Bell peppers, sliced
Avocados, silced
Tomatos, sliced
Sprouts (I like to home grow mine.  I'll post about that later)
Havarti, swiss, or any cheese of your liking
Roasted red bell pepper hummus

I LOVE this sandwich so much!!  Get two nice slices of bread, spread both slices with hummus, then just layer the veggies high and mighty!  It might look a little too large for your mouth, but don't worry, it'll all work out!!  Feel free to experiment and add whatever it is you like to this sandwich.  The possibilities are endless!

While you're slicing your bell peppers and cucumbers, just add them to your kids after school snack veggie tray.  Or dice up your extra peppers and add them to your morning omelet.  There are so many uses for your extra veggies.  It's worth the time it will take you to cut them up!!

Tip:  Store your extra avocado with the pit inside and wrap tightly with aluminum foil to prevent it from going brown.  Then store it in your fridge.  Use within a couple of days. 

Tip: If you don't make your own bread, when looking for wheat or grain breads in the store, make sure the first ingredient is wheat flour and not enriched flour.  You want as little ingredients as possible, unless it's all seeds and grains.  If you can't understand it, don't buy it!  The more whole ingredients the better.  And if you can buy from a local bakery that grinds their wheat daily, even better!!  (Like Aspen Mills orGreat Harvest Bread Co. )

Thursday, September 1, 2011

PB Balls Gone Healthy

Are you sick of eating packaged protein bars?  This is my new favorite homemade, healthy before or after workout bar (or ball)! It's also a great after school snack!!  It's loaded with protein from the peanut butter. Also, by adding flax meal you are getting some omega 3's, oats are giving you numerous benefits but more importantly fiber and phytochemicals, unsweetened coconut is giving you lots of vitamins and minerals, and if you use local honey, you'll be helping your allergies as well!!  Go ahead, throw anything in these babies!  This is the way I like them for those of you who like to follow a recipe:

PB Protein Balls
1 c. peanut butter, natural (organic)
2 1/2 c. rolled oats or quick oats
1/2 c. flax seed meal
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
1/2-1 c. chocolate chips
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  It does get quite sticky, so if you'd like to, just get your clean hands in there and mush it all together.  It definitely works best that way!  When the batter looks like the consistency of thick cookie dough, it's ready to roll!  Just pour a little canola oil on your hands so the mixture won't stick to you. Then scoop teaspoon size balls into your hand and roll!  I like to put them on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper to set in the fridge for about an hour.  After that, just throw them into some baggies and you're good to go :)  You could also freeze them if it makes too many for you and your family to eat in a week or so. 
Bon Appetit