Asian Summer Slaw

This salad is packed with fresh veggies, nutrients and is sure to be a hit at the dinner table! Perfect for a summer barbecue or picnic with friends. The recipe makes a lot, (not my usual 1-2 serving size) but it keeps well in the fridge. I usually end up taking leftovers with me for lunch. If you take this to a barbecue I doubt you'll have that problem (it's bound to be a hit!).

Alternative Eats: BBQ Chips

There are tons of healthier alternatives for junk food turning up at the grocery store these days.

Today's alternative eat: Quinoa BBQ Chips

Simply 7 brand found at Giant Supermarket
$3.50

Simple Nature brand found at Aldi
$1.99

Reach for these quinoa based chips instead of the national brands next time you are in the store. Even if you don't like quinoa, I have a feeling you will like this new take on BBQ chips. They have plenty of flavor with a bit of a kick. Find them in the organic aisle at your grocery store or Aldi if you have one nearby (one of my favorite groceries).

The Reason I Started My Blog - Standard Process

I was ready for a life change. As you may have read on the “about” page, my doctor diagnosed me with a stomach ulcer and other GI issues so I knew it was time to take matters into my own hands. My half-hearted attempt at “watching what I ate” wasn’t working (eating a salad for lunch wasn’t enough). For a long time I thought my exercising would completely off-set any bad eating habits but it’s hard to have one and not the other and see results.

Standard Process Diet Day 2-7 (week one)

Once I got past the first couple days the diet started to get easier, and I fell into a rhythm preparing food and learning what worked for me. There were proud moments when I made delicious recipes I never thought possible, and some fails (all part of the learning experience, right?). One key tool to my diet was keeping a journal. I maintained a journal that I wrote what I ate and how I felt each day. I also kept a page for my measurements and weight, which I wrote down every week (not everyday or I may have wanted to give up).

Easy Garlic Hummus

Who doesn't love a good hummus! Unfortunately for me, I didn't make this until the very end of my diet. Organic fresh made hummus from Whole Foods was my splurge while on my Standard Process Diet - so I could have saved some $$ with this recipe. Hopefully you will! 

This healthy snack’s main ingredient - chickpeas, are full of protein, fiber and good-for-you carbs. Another plus, hummus won’t go bad for a while.  I keep mine for about a week and store in a glass bowl with a lid. 

Strawberry, Pear & Spinach Salad - with Blueberry Balsamic

 

This is a great summer salad because all the ingredients are in season (I usually try make this when I can score a sale on the berries). Enjoy the freshness and flavor of the berries, pear, spinach, dressing and the fullness of quinoa. Quick to prepare and eat on a hot day in the summer time. Also eye-catching, I love the bright colors of this salad which make it look even more appetizing! Enjoy!

Standard Process Diet - Day 1

Don't worry I'm not going to bore you with a post for every day of the diet but the first day was important.

The first day of the diet was exhausting to say the least (not going to sugar coat it). I would recommend starting the diet on a weekend or day you are not working/busy - unlike me. I started on a Monday morning. I spent the night before prepping food and planning my food list for the week. Also there were several grocery trips made to stock up on all of earth's goodies (I may have gone overboard).

Balsamic Grilled Veggie Sandwich

What happens in my kitchen with leftover rolls...

 

Shopping in the grocery store for one (sometimes two) I have no choice but to buy more than what I need of many things. One of them is hamburger rolls. Who needs 8 rolls when you are making dinner for two? A week ago I made a special BBQ pulled chicken dinner and of course there were leftover rolls. So I was determined to do something meatless and healthy with them the next day. Looking around my fridge I found some fresh mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers, pesto, and viola... I had one of my new favorite recipes!  In this case grilled really means pan because I don't have a grill.