Prepping for Spring

Spring is less than two months away.  March 20th can't come soon enough.  I usually love winter, but I think I speak for everyone when I say it was just too cold this year.  I am ready to be able to be outside, take the dog to the park, go on walks, sit out on the balcony, go to the farm and there's nothing like a cold drink on a warm or hot day.  I know I am more active and healthy in the warmer months too because there's more to do, more day light and just more motivation to move.  Not to mention the smaller clothes so usually people watch what they eat more.  There's a lot I want to do before spring comes around though.

Here is my list of spring cleaning for myself and my home:

-- Donate, donate, donate!  Get rid of clothes and anything else in the house or garage that I don't need anymore, that don't fit and never will again or that I haven't worn in many years.
-- Pack away some things I still want but just don't have room for where we live now or just don't use never often right now.
-- Organize the garage so things are easily accessible so instead of going out to buy the item again I can just grab it.  I have a problem with buying too many kitchen towels based on the season or holiday.  They are all packed away but every year I seem to buy more.
-- Fully clean the entire house, from head to toe, using all cleaning supplies and not doing it half ass.
-- Reorganize my dresser drawers and closet.
-- Try to keep the house this way or at least keep up with it from time to time instead of just letting it become a crazy disorganized mess.
-- And something for me, just to make me happy, buy a basil plant for the kitchen window and a nice spring wreath for the front door. :)

All these things are mainly for my home but they will all make me feel good and refreshed to start off the new season on the right foot.  It's not a small list either which is why it's good to start early.  Make your own list and let the spring cleaning begin!

But for today I leave you with this list of things to do...

Grilling Burgers In The Winter

Who says you can't grill a good burger during the cold months?  Not me!  Instead of freezing outside in the snow, use a grilling pan.  We have a cast iron grill pan that works great for this.

I try to stay away from beef and red meat so grilling chicken burgers is usually my go to.  Simply by adding a great spice to the chicken patty makes it more enjoyable and not bland.  Just add some to each side of the patty and grill it.  Here are some of the favorite spices used in my house:

 Healthier Options:  Skip the bun or the cheese, or both! :)

Homemade Granola Bars

This is an easy recipe and healthier than the processed granola bars at the store.  Try it out!  Great for people on the go.

The recipe calls for:
2 cups oats
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup of mixed nuts or anything of your choice

-- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until moist.  Spread the mixture in a 8 x 8 inch baking dish.  Press the mixture down so it becomes compact in the dish.
-- Bake for 20 minutes.
-- The bars need to cool completely before cutting.

The mix used for the below was almonds, raisins, peanuts and cashews.  YUM!

 

Other options to add into the mix could be dark chocolate chips, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, etc.  You can also break up the granola bar and add it to yogurt as a nutritious breakfast or snack.

Cupcake Lasagna's

Great snack to make the kids instead of the processed frozen food like pizza bagels.  Pop them in the oven when they get home from school.  This is also a great party appetizer.

 

I kept the recipe simple because my husband doesn't like a lot of things, but it would be great with added ingredients.  Ground turkey meat to add some protein is a good option, then it's an easy dinner.  Also you could add chopped basil to the ricotta cheese mixture or your favorite spice/herb.

 

 

The recipe calls for:

wonton wrappers

marinara sauce

part skim ricotta cheese

part skim mozzarella cheese

garlic powder

 

-- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

-- Spray two cupcake pans with cooking oil.

-- Place two wonton wrappers in each cupcake hole, opposite of each other.

-- In a bowl, mix garlic powder and the ricotta cheese.

-- Add a little marinara sauce, a dabble of ricotta cheese, a little more sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.

-- Bake for about 15 minutes or until the wrappers become crispy.



Brand New Year

I have definitely been neglecting posting on here, sorry for that.  I have had a lot going on, but what better time to get back to updating you all on healthy recipes and healthy lifestyle tips than in a new year.  Everyone should do their best to make good choices all year though.  If you make resolutions try to stick to them, it will make you feel good about yourself.  Don't give up.  I personally don't really make resolutions exactly, but I have told myself I want to better me this year.  Each day to do my best to be the happiest and healthiest. Healthy isn't always what you eat, it's more than food.  It's more than just exercise.  It's how you see life and how you live it.  Less stress and worry is my main goal.  Life will happen no matter how much you worry so why not just live life and be content with what you have and who you have in your life.

Around the holidays my dad ended up in the hospital.  He has had heart attacks in the past and since has done a lot of good for his body, but in the past year or so didn't work as hard at it.  He didn't have another heart attack, but he needed open heart surgery, triple bypass.  My family history and the want to live a long life is what makes me want to be as healthy as possible.  It's not something that is easy for a lot of people, it's work and commitment.  One thing I do know though is once you become healthy and get into a routine you crave healthier things and it becomes a lot easier.  It's a lifestyle you need to make for yourself.  I'm not saying you can't indulge and enjoy amazing food because you can and I sure do, but it's doing that in moderation and making little substitutes in your every day to better what you are putting into your body.

Recipes and more posts to come, but today...