Healthy Life Ideas

Double Chocolate Zucchini Loaf

2017-08-25T12:09:00.001-04:00

It's harvest time and the zucchini's are here. I have a huge one and decided to make this loaf. Although it required 2 cups of shredded zucchini, it hardly made a dent in it. More zucchini recipes will be on the way lol. This is a very decadent loaf. I reduced the amount of sugar and replaced the oil with half oil and half unsweetened applesauce. I also used unsweetened chocolate chunks.

This recipe is of the many great recipes from Ricardo's Cuisine magazine.

1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. of baking soda
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups of grated zucchini
4 oz. of dark chocolate, chopped

In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda.

In a larger bowl, whisk together sugar, oil and egg until smooth. Using a spatula, stir in zucchini and dry ingredients. Set aside 2 tbsp. of the chopped chocolate for the topping and add the remaining to the batter. Pour into a greased loaf pan and sprinkle with reserved chocolate.

Bake for one hour in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F.

Celery Lemon Juice

2016-04-26T16:43:00.000-04:00

I love celery and it's health benefits but sometimes I just don't feel like munching on it. Making a juice with it is a quick and simple way of enjoying it. You can add anything to it for taste. For this particular one I used 2 stalks of celery, one lemon, a handful of spinach and a handful of strawberries with a bit of water. Just add all to a blender.

Other variations are adding an orange, chives, raspberries, etc. Anything goes!

It's great in the morning and as a pick-me-up in the afternoons.

Fig Oat Bread

2016-02-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

I made this bread in my new bread machine, even though the recipe was for the oven. It is so good!

Figs are a good source of potassium and fiber among other things.

I put in walnuts and sunflower seeds for the nuts.

Yummy!!

Here's the link to the recipe from the California Figs website.

Fig Oat Bread

Chocolate Lentil Cake

2015-02-28T10:15:00.001-05:00

I found this recipe on the Canadian Lentils Website.

What a good way to add lentils to your diet. So good! I love lentils and it's many health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, high in fiber for digestive health, stabilizes your blood sugar, gives you energy, they're a good source of protein plus they don't contain fat yet you can eat them and feel full and satisfied without the guilt.

Here is the recipe that I used. I added unsweetened coconut to it and only added a few tablespoons of brown sugar. It's a recipe I definitely will make again.

Chocolate Lentil Cake

Chicken Noodle Soup

2015-02-22T16:09:00.000-05:00

This winter has been very cold and it sure feels never-ending.

There's nothing better than a homemade Chicken Noodle Soup on a Northern Ontario cold winter day to feel cozy and warm.

As an added health benefit, I used whole wheat noodles (fiber benefit) and a handful of frozen peas (which are a good source of iron) along with lots of garlic, onion, carrots, celery and one chopped jalapeno pepper. The chicken was leftover chicken from a roast the night before. I added alot of black pepper and curry powder, which has many health benefits, which you can read here:

Curry Powder Health Benefits

Chicken Bacon Veggie Pizza - Whole Wheat Thin Crust

2015-02-18T14:42:00.000-05:00

A pizza I made for supper last night baked on a pizza stone. Turned out good!

For toppings I used boneless chicken, bacon, green peppers, orange peppers, mushrooms, onions and garlic with mozzarella cheese. As for the sauce, I just used a can of tomato paste and thinned it out with olive oil and added spices -- oregano, basil, garlic, pepper, etc. Fast and easy.

Cuban Black Bean and Brown Rice Soup

2015-01-29T16:36:00.001-05:00

After a very fun vacation and an over-indulgence of food and drink in beautiful Cuba, it's time to get back to health. I thought, there's no better way than making a Cuban black bean soup with brown rice and different veggies .... and that's what I made. Turned out so good ..... but I sure wish I was eating it back in Cuba and not in snowy Timmins.

Onto health .... until the next "TRYP"! lol

Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Treat

2014-10-21T11:25:00.000-04:00

This is a super easy recipe. No baking required ..... just freeze, slice and enjoy.

1/2 cup of natural peanut butter
1 banana, mashed
2 tbsp. coconut oil
a bit of maple syrup, if you want

Mix all ingredients together and press into a pan. Top with anything you prefer. I topped mine with fresh cranberries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seed and trail mix. Freeze until solid.

So good!

Kiwi Pie with Oatmeal Crust

2014-06-25T12:52:00.000-04:00

I made this pie for dessert last night to use up some kiwi's that have been in our fridge. It was delicious!

The crust was made with oatmeal combined with an egg, milk and cinnamon (no measuring) and flattened in a greased pie plate. I put a thin layer of pure peanut butter on top. For the next layer, I used 3 kiwi's, mashed, and added a bit of lemon marmalade to it. On top of the kiwi, I layered some strawberry yogurt mixed with no fat sour cream. Then topped it off with honey berries from my garden, red walnuts, unsweetened coconut and a drizzle of Nutella. Baked at 350 degrees F. for about 20 minutes. Yummy!!!

Meatball Sub Casserole

2014-06-17T12:38:00.001-04:00

I made this last night but I can't take credit for the recipe as it's all over the place on the internet. I tried to make a healthier version. It sure was good and it definitely takes the craving away if you're craving a meatball sub!

I made the meatballs using ground turkey, rather than beef. I used an egg and oatmeal to form them along with alot of different Italian spices .... and tons of garlic.

For the bread, I used multi-grain bruschetta bread and spread them with minced garlic.

I made the sauce using a can of tomato paste and two chopped tomatoes, again with tons of spices, fresh crushed garlic, chopped onions .... and I added two chopped asparagus spears ... picked from our garden.

Line up your bread around the pan. You can use any bread. Add meatballs in the center. Sprinkle with parmesan and any other cheese of your choice. I used cheddar as that's what I had on hand. I would of preferred mozzarella ..... but there will be a next time making this recipe since it was so good! Cover the whole pan with sauce .... add more cheeses and bake covered in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Then take cover off and bake for another 5 or 10 minutes.

Watermelon Cake

2014-05-20T09:59:00.000-04:00

I made this No Bake Watermelon Cake last night for dessert. I used the recipe from this site:

No Bake Watermelon Cake

Mine didn't look as nice as the one on the recipe site, but the taste was all there. I used coconut milk for the icing. I topped it off with fruits, nuts, seeds and then drizzled the top with a chocolate sauce I made using unsweetened cocoa. What a nice summer treat!

Enjoy Life Foods

2014-05-16T09:37:00.002-04:00

Become an Enjoy Life Free-Form Agent and earn points to win food. Free to join.

You can sign up free here:

Enjoy Life Foods

Black Bean Chocolate Coffee Peanut Butter Coconut Walnut Brownies

2014-04-01T10:13:00.000-04:00

I made this last night just by using a basic black bean brownie recipe, but I started adding other ingredients and wow .... it tasted almost like truffles! Hard to believe it was made with beans.

Here's the recipe ..... nothing really measured.

All in one bowl, puree or use a food processor:

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup of oatmeal
instant coffee (as much as you want .... I used about 1/4 cup)
pure cocoa (again, as much as you want ... I used more cocoa than I did coffee)
1 tsp. of vanilla
1/2 tsp. of baking powder
1/4 cup or so of maple syrup
1/4 cup of melted coconut oil

Once it's pureed, stir in a handful of unsweetened coconut and walnuts. Spread in a baking pan and drizzle pure peanut butter on top with more coconut and more walnuts.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes. I used parchment paper to prevent sticking. Otherwise, grease your pan first.

Overnight Tuna Asparagus Strata

2014-03-29T09:26:00.001-04:00

I made this recipe taken from the Taste of Home website. I changed it up by using tuna rather than ham. Also, I did not have English muffins, as in the recipe, so I used sliced up/chunked up, homemade whole-wheat bread.

It turned out so good! I prepped it the night before and put it in the oven first thing in the morning. What a great breakfast! The recipe is here:

Overnight Asparagus Strata - Taste of Home

Parmesan Crepes in Soup

2013-12-04T15:31:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I made homemade crepes stuffed with parmesan cheese and tightly rolled, and topped with hot soup. This is a soup my Mom would regularly make as I was growing up. It was always one of my favorites. It's a simple soup idea....and so yummy .... but the ones my Mom used to make were even yummier! I sure miss all her good Italian cooking.

Here is my Mom at 80 years old. She passed away last year peacefully at 90.

Cauliflower Crust

2013-11-25T12:36:00.000-05:00

I made this cauliflower crust recipe, which has been circulating around Facebook and blogs lately.

Here it is:

Cauliflower Crust

It is really good....and healthy! I will definitely be making it again and putting more toppings on it. Next time I would like to top it with some tomato sauce, veggies and ground chicken or turkey. Yummy!!

Oven-Fried Chicken Recipe

2013-11-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe at Just A Pinch Recipes site. There are so many good recipes on the site and all made from real home cooks. It's free to join and a fun interactive site.

Here is the Oven-Fried Chicken Recipe that I tried and loved! I will definitely be making it again. So tasty. I sprinkled paprika on top.

I made sesame seed coated sweet potato wedgies as well as a side-dish since both baking pans fit in the oven at the same time. Yummy!

Roasted Cheesy Cauliflower with Gemelli Pasta

2013-10-07T10:53:00.004-04:00

This was my first attempt at making homemade Whole-Wheat Gemelli Noodles and I will definitely be making them again. I found instructions on You Tube on how to shape them.

Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

1 small cauliflower, chopped

1 onion, sliced

2 cloves of garlic

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp. thyme

salt and pepper

2 cups of broth (I used turkey broth)

1/2 cup or more of cheese (I used cheddar and mozza) - Swiss would be good too

1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt or fat-free sour cream

bread crumbs to sprinkle on top

Gemelli Pasta ... or any pasta

In a large bowl, add the cauliflower, onion, garlic and spices and coat with olive oil. Roast in a 425 degree F oven until golden brown. When roasted and slightly cooled, transfer the vegetables to a blender and add the broth. Blend until smooth. Pour in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the cheese and yogurt and add more spices as desired.

Add sauce to cooked pasta and sprinkle with spiced bread crumbs. You can end it there and enjoy. I, however, baked mine in the oven with extra cheese sprinkled on top. Very yummy!

Oven Baked Barley Vegetable Stew

2013-09-24T12:10:00.000-04:00

We had some leftovers from the Barley Soup turned Stew I made the other day. I decided to oven bake it with cheese on top. What a nice change it was....yummy!!

Vegetable Barley Soup turned into Stew

2013-09-23T17:11:00.001-04:00

I made this barley soup yesterday but I simmered it too long and the broth evaporated so I decided to make it a stew instead lol. The taste is still all there. I used a mixture of veggies....some from my garden and some store bought.

Barley is a hearty and nutritious grain. I love the texture. Here are some of the nutrients it contains.

Apple Cinnamon Monkey Bread

2013-09-16T15:41:00.000-04:00

This is a monkey bread I made yesterday. It turned out so good.....although I thought it wouldn't due to the fact that I used a mixture of Whole Wheat Flour and Duram Atta Flour (which is usually used to make flatbreads, roti's, etc.). I did add some vital gluten to it to make the dough more pliable. I didn't use any white sugar in my recipe, but other recipes do contain it.

This is the recipe I used. You can make it with white flour too.

2 tsp. yeast
1 1/3 cup warm water
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 1/2 cups flour

2 apples
raisins
coconut oil
maple syrup (I used nutmeg syrup that we bought while in Grenada)

Put yeast in warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, mix the flour and the oil together with the yeast and knead for 7 - 10 minutes. Coat bowl with oil and cover for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours with a tea towel, until it's about double in size. Then punch down the dough and make small balls of dough and coat them in cinnamon (you can use a cinnamon/sugar combo if you want more sweetness). Place the balls of dough in a bunt pan. At the half-way point, you can put a layer of sliced apples and cinnamon and drizzle with maple syrup, and then continue with more dough balls on top -- or you can just leave it all as a topping. I put the apples and cinnamon throughout. Drizzle some melted coconut oil and maple syrup over the top and bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes.

Whole-Wheat Banana Bread

2013-09-05T10:00:00.001-04:00

Well summer is over and it's back to baking and cooking heartier meals.

For a start, I made Cookie + Kate's banana bread recipe and it is one of the best I've ever had. So addicting! Here is the link to her recipe:

Cookie + Kate Honey Whole Wheat Banana Bread

The first one I made, I followed the recipe exactly. So good!!

Last night I made it again, but I added chopped dates, walnuts, coconut and sunflower seeds on top. Yum!! I will definitely be making this again and next time will add something different....maybe lemon zest and poppy seeds .... anything goes!

Arugula Spinach Veggie Pizza with Pizza Hut Style Crust

2013-08-03T13:07:00.001-04:00

We made this pizza last night. We made the crust using a recipe I found online, which was a Pizza Hut style crust. It called for white flour, but we used whole-wheat flour. It was so good. I think I'll be using this crust recipe for all homemade pizzas. Here is the recipe:

Pizza Hut Style Crust

This pizza has fresh arugula and spinach, picked from our garden, layered on as the first topping. On top of that is green, red and yellow peppers as well as onions and garlic (also from our garden). We used Peppered Colby Cheese and Parmesan to top it all off plus all kinds of spices and fresh herbs (from my windowsill lol). So good!!!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Crispy No-Bake Cookies

2013-06-17T13:01:00.001-04:00

I made these cookies the other day. I just threw together what I had on hand. For these ones I mixed Rice Krispies, peanut butter, coconut oil, pure cocoa powder, raisins and a bit of maple syrup. Stirred everything together and put them in the freezer for about 1/2 hour.

They're so addicting.....plus super energizing. I made another batch using bran flakes instead of Rice Krispies which were equally as good. Anything goes!! and no oven to heat up the kitchen.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

2013-06-04T09:44:00.001-04:00

I made this salad last night. The roasted sweet potatoes gave it such a good flavor. I thinly sliced them and roasted them coated with canola oil, lots of garlic, pepper and paprika at 425 degrees F. until they were crispy. Meanwhile I prepared the rest of the salad. This one has romaine lettuce, radishes, Vadalia onion, red pepper and an avocado. I used a mandarin poppy seed dressing. Yummy!!