spaghetti squash 101

If you were to ask me a couple years ago how to cook spaghetti squash, or what it even looked like, I would've had no idea.  I've always been a big fan of squash, so it was about time that I ventured into the world of cooking with spaghetti squash.  The first person I turned to was my brother-in-law because he seemed to be always cooking it, and he quickly taught me how to bring this squash to life.  Now I absolutely LOVE cooking with it!  It's super versatile, provides as a pasta replacement, and fuels your body with its nutritious ingredients!

Spaghetti squash definitely needs some time to cook, so make sure you plan out your meal accordingly.  I try to make this on Sunday either for that night or for a meal I'm planning on that week.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Carefully (and you may want to enlist the help from your husband like I do) cut your squash in half.

3. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and membranes from inside.

4. Season the cut halves with salt and pepper.

5. Place the squash cut side down in a baking dish and fill the dish with 1/4 c. of water.

6. Bake your spaghetti squash for 1 hour.

7. When done, let your squash sit for at least 15 minutes so it can cool down.  Then, using a fork, scoop out the insides.  The squash will be strands and look like spaghetti!

For dinner tonight I made Skinnytaste's Spaghetti Squash with Meat Ragu using ground turkey.  

Here are some more recipes to use with your spaghetti squash:

Baked Spaghetti Squash and Cheese

Spaghetti Squash Pesto with Tomatoes

Spaghetti Squash with Chicken, Mushrooms, and Spinach 

Spaghetti Squash Fritters with Sriracha Mayonnaise 

hemp, it's what's for breakfast

Breakfast is my all time favorite meal.  I have never been one to skip out on breakfast!  I'm pretty sure that I wake up hungry.   That's normal, right?  Well, finding quick and healthy breakfast options is key for me.  Even more helpful is when they keep my fuller longer.  When I eat breakfast by 6:30am and don't eat until about 10:30, it is essential my breakfast stays with me.  My students will tell you that I am quite a bear as soon as I get hungry :)

One of my go-to's is a smoothie, especially mornings I sneak in a workout before work.  Protein powder keeps me full throughout the morning with ease.  I use whey protein powder, not soy, but never really looked at what was in this powder that seemed to make everything taste so delicious.  So when I decided to actually read the ingredient list, I began to second guess this ingredient I used to fill me up.  I decided to take a look at hemp, which is a plant-based form of protein.  I ended up finding a hemp protein powder, and it has one ingredient: ground hemp seeds!  It doesn't get better than that!  Well, I will get to the taste in just a sec.  

The first time I tried it out, my taste buds weren't that pleased.  I'm pretty sure they were rooting for the original vanilla protein powder.  I didn't let them win, and kept plugging along, and by the third time I made a smoothie with it I was sold.  

This recipe is my absolute favorite.  It is the foundation for all of my smoothies, and it is pretty simple, which is nice for busy mornings. 

Tropical Hemp Protein Smoothie:

1 c. vanilla almond milk

3 Tbsp. hemp powder

1 frozen banana

2 handfuls fresh spinach or kale (I used kale above)

3/4 c. frozen mango

1 Tbsp. chia seeds

Place everything into a blender, or my favorite-Vita mix, and blend until smooth.  Sip with a colorful straw, it just makes it more worthwhile.  

4 more wake-ups and a recipe!

4 more mornings I have to set my alarm for 5am or earlier...

4 more mornings filled with desperately reaching for the start button on the coffee maker in the dark...

4 more long drives to work counting down the days till summer...

4 more days filled with crossing off the never ending to-do list and scrubbing paint off of the desks...

4 more days filled with little ones who accidentally call you "mama"...

Can you tell summer is almost here?!?!?  Next Tuesday is the day, the last day of school.  And as much as I can't wait for it to be here it is also bittersweet because some changes are coming.  That's right-next year I'm teaching second grade!  I've only taught kindergarten and I have the opportunity to teach second grade next year, and I couldn't pass it up.  So I'm trying to soak up all of the last kinder memories while also maintaining my patience and grace.

The one thing that I love waking up to in the morning is breakfast, especially since I have THE best granola in my pantry.  And it didn't come from a box, or a bag, but straight out of a tupperware filled with the love from my hard work. I was always frightened by making granola, the ingredient list just seemed so long.  But once I made it I was a changed woman, the thought of spending money on granola at the store makes me cringe. 

Here is my current favorite granola recipe from yours truly: (and don't be intimidated by the ingredient list)

Vanilla Cinnamon Granola

4 c. gluten-free rolled oats (I buy the big bag from Trader Joe's)

1 c. sliced almonds

3/4 c. raw pepitas

3/4 c. raw sunflower seeds

1/2 c. ground flaxseeds

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2/4 tsp. salt

1/4 c. canola oil

1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp coconut sugar crystals (purchased at Sprouts)

1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c. + 2 T. honey

1 Tbsp. vanilla

3/4 c. dried cranberries

3/4 c. raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl,  mix together oats, almonds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt.

  3. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the oil, 1/4 c. sugar, and 2 Tbsp applesauce.  Microwave 20-30 seconds and stir to dissolve the sugar, then stir in 1/4 c. honey and the vanilla.

4. Pour the wet ingredients onto the dry ingredients and mix well until the oats and nuts are completely covered.  Spread evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes.

5. While baking, mix together 2 Tbsp. sugar, applesauce, and honey.  Set aside.  After 30 minutes, remove the granola and drizzle the remaining wet ingredients on top.  Use a rubber spatula to press the granola firmly onto the baking pan.

6. Bake for an additional 30-35 minutes.  Let cool and then break apart.  

At this point you can just start chowing down and this sweet goodness, or you can store it in an airtight container and enjoy on top of a scrumptious bowl of greek yogurt and blueberries or slice bananas.  

Enjoy!

the amazing eggwich

Ladies and Gents, hold onto your hats because I'm about to share my ultimate favorite breakfast recipe that will blow your socks off.  Okay, so it's nothing too amazing except that it tastes AMAZING, is super quick and easy, and FILLS you up for the entire morning! 

Our star players are:

2 eggs

2 cups spinach

1/2 c. sliced mushrooms

1 slice gluten free bread or any bread of your choice

salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Heat olive oil over medium heat, add mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes or until tender.  Then, add in two big handfuls of spinach.  Sprinkle salt and pepper as they cook.  

Do not be afraid of how much spinach you put in the pan, it cooks down a lot.

Place your piece of bread in the toaster.

Step 2: Remove your mushrooms and spinach.  Cook 2 eggs over easy in your pan.  Each time I make my eggs they always turn out a little bit different, I'm still trying to get them just right.  

Step 3: By now your toast should have signaled that it is done.  Top your toast with the mushrooms and spinach, then add your two cooked eggs, grab a fork and a knife and dig in!

This is delish!!! I love making it before going to work because it keeps me full for a good 3-4 hours until it is snack time or I push it through lunch.  

OH! I forgot to tell you my new love obsession.  Trader Joe's just came out with their own gluten free bread!  I haven't been eating 100% gluten free lately and have been definitely feeling it.  I decided to give it a shot.  Gluten free bread can be very deceiving.  You bite in thinking it will be just like regular toast and it meets you with dismay as you realize it is most definitely gluten free.  Trader Joe's will not disappoint, it will in fact deceive you and make you believe you're eating regular bread!  I LOVE it!  

dreaming of pumpkin

Hello!  If you are joining in on the Fall Followers Fest, Welcome!!!  

So if this post didn't convince you enough that I'm completely and utterly in love with fall I hope this one will, or at least make you hungry!

Yes, I'm a Fall addict.  But there is just something about the change of colors (that I dream about happening one day in sunny San Diego), the pumpkin aroma filling my kitchen, the little decorations hear and there that create a welcoming home, and being thankful for everything in your life.  This post is dedicated to all of the delicious recipes that I have already made or am currently planning my grocery trip around.  

First, we are having some friends over on Halloween for a little pumpkin party!  I am so excited because I've always wanted to make these:

Chili in pumpkin bowls!

Oh yes, these are on the menu and I can't wait to post how they turn out.  

Tomorrow is my baking day.  I truly love to bake at least once during the weekends, it just makes me feels complete. 

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pistachio Bread

I got my bake on last week and made this:

Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake.  Holy YUM!  They were delish, and got the stamp of approval from the husband and the in-laws.  

The only thing to have these with is your homemade pumpkin spice latte!  I still haven't found the perfect recipe, but I did just get my mom's espresso machine to play around with so stay posted for my to die for latte!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

In the morning my oats warm my tummy, especially with a tablespoon or two of pumpkin puree added.  I just saw this recipe, and this would be amazing for my topping, or just by the spoon.  I mean who doesn't love chocolate+pumpkin+peanut butter?  The combination still has me a little skeptical but all the ingredients are already on my shopping list for tomorrow

And, last but not least...pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!  When I think of these I think about my amazing friend you came earlier this month and our baking session after a great day. 

I hope that your tummy is grumbling and you now have lots of pumpkin recipes to warm your kitchen with while the last of fall remains!

the sweetness from this week

Holy Smokes!  Where did the week go???  Being that I was traveling last weekend, this week went by very fast and was pretty stressful trying to get back into the swing of things.  There doesn't seem to be a lot going on, but as I look back at my pictures I can't believe how much filled up this week.  

First, I loved my early birthday present, a new iPhone!  I have been dying for one, and I only have amazing things to say!!!  I love how quickly the camera takes pictures, I'm in LOVE with Instragram (if you didn't already know), and I love how it connects directly to my Mac Book.  We have a very happy marriage, in deed!  

Here's some of the sweetness that filled my week:

Brussel Sprouts!!!!  I know, I'm a dork...but I LOVE them.  I made the easiest dinner: roasted brussels sprouts and zucchini, leftover rotisserie chicken from Costco, and frozen brown rice from Trader Joe's.  

Kale + Spinach + Pear Mango Smoothie

This smoothie was delicious!  You would think that it would have a pretty bitter taste with all of the greens, but it was actually pleasantly sweet.  I revised the recipe just a touch, and will post it soon.  I even bought a big bag of kale while at Trader Joe's yesterday so I can made some more this week.  They are perfect for breakfast when I need to eat something quick on my way to work.  

I cleaned the fridge!!!  The rest of the house may be a mess, but at least I accomplished my cleaning goal for Saturday!  

  

Making an amazing Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake recipe from the one and only, Mama Pea!  My in-laws came over for dinner Saturday night and everyone was raving about it.  I'm telling you, that Mama Pea has some pretty awesome recipes.  If you haven't tried them out yet, you're truly missing out! 

Seeing little miss Calli!  Any day is spectacular when she is in it : )  Uncle D was teaching her how to use the computer, or he was posing her while she was tuned out to Toy Story 3.  Who knows???

Apple picking and spending the day with this gem of a friend.  It had been way too long since we had hung out, so I loved our day together!  

And, making this adorable onesie!!!  My room mom made just had a little baby boy this past week, so I decided to make some cute onesies as a gift.  I took step-by-step pictures of this super simple project, so be on the lookout for that very soon!  

Wow!  What a productive and joyful week!  Can you believe that we are almost done with October???

i heart pesto! (ROTW)

Sometimes you just need to spice up a night and make it a little more fun.  The other night I decided to do just that with a scrumptious cheese platter and a recreated pizza that we enjoyed on a date night last week.  It was the perfect little night with no TV, jazz music playing, and plenty of quality time. 

LaFuze Happy Hour!  With fontina, raw cheddar, and brie cheese....oh how I love thee, cheese.

The husband absolutely loved it!  Isn't he just so handsome?!?!

Then, I set off on a mission to recreate this spectacular pizza that we enjoyed on a previous date night.  It was called the "Carlsbad" and included pesto sauce, grilled chicken, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and feta.  We are regulars at pizza so I decided to step it up a notch and make my own pesto!!!  

J's Awesome Pesto:

6-8 oz. fresh basil leaves

2/3 c. pine nuts

1 head of garlic

about 1/4 c. olive oil

Salt & pepper

*This was an experiment, so not everything is exact!

First, I started with placing the basil leaves into my food processor.  

Next, I added all of my garlic cloves.

Then, I measured out and added the pine nuts.

Lastly, I drizzed olive oil into my food processor and let it go.  I stopped the machine about three times to scoop the sides and add more olive oil.  You can create whatever consistency you would like by adding more/less olive oil.  

At the end I added salt and pepper and gave it one more quick stir, again.  

I just LOVE the color!!!

I'm already thinking about some variations next time....toasting the pine nuts, roasting the head of garlic...maybe when I have more time!

We made our pizza on the grill again, so once one side was cooked we slathered on a nice layer of our pesto.  

Then we topped it with chicken sausage (I had to cook it before it went bad, so subbed it in for chicken), sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and feta. 

We crossed our fingers, threw it back on the grill, and waited to see how our creation turned out.  

Holy Smokes!!! This pizza was beyond amazing!  The flavor was intense, delightful, epic, ________ (insert any other amazing word here).  The husband was super proud of me, I was beaming, and our tummies were extremely grateful.  

I did make a gluten free version for myself using Udi's pizza dough.  The one thing I love about this dough is that it's all ready to go, but the taste still doesn't measure up to regular pizza dough...I guess I need to bite the bullet and make my own dough one day.

I urge you to immediately get out to the store and make your own pesto!

dinner inspirations

There is one thing that I absolutely love: COOKING!  I love planning menus, making shopping lists, deciding when I'm going to make what (to try and make use of leftovers).  However, sometimes it gets a little overwhelming...especially when school and work are back in full swing!  Over the summer I love to cook but there are so many nights we are at a parents' house or meeting someone for dinner.  I haven't had to cook in a whole week because of plans we have had!!!  

I've been drooling over my "must taste test" board on Pinterest, and can't wait to finally try out some new recipes!

Grilled Pizza!

Last weekend we tried out a new pizza place and it was unbelievable!  Tonight I'm recreating the pizza we had but on the grill.  I love this recipe as well (especially because it's gluten free), but will save it for another week!  I do have an extra Udi's gluten free pizza dough in the freezer that I will be making for myself tonight.  Our pizza tonight will feature: pesto, sausage, feta, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes...my tummy is already growling!

Turkey Sloppy Janes from Whole Foods.  

These remind me of my childhood, so I can't wait to sink my teeth into a healthier version!

Lemon Basil + Grilled Corn Pasta from the Edible Perspective.  

Nothing says summer to me quite like corn on the cob does!  I can't wait to live up the last days of summer with this fresh pasta dish!  (I'll most likely use brown rice pasta.)

Taco Veggie Salad from the Edible Perspective (again). 

Doesn't that just scream "eat me"?!  I LOVE zucchini, and the recipe also has a potato black bean filling as well.  

Black Bean Burgers from the Daily Garnish.

I have actually made these before, hoping that the husband wouldn't notice that they are vegetarian.  Well, he noticed...teased...and then confessed that he would definitely eat them again!  They didn't hold together too well, so I might tweak it just a bit.

My kitchen is going to be so happy to be back in business starting tonight!  I can't wait to share how everything turns out.  

P.S. If you need some kitchen inspirations, take a look at my Pinterest board!  

mmmmm.....oh my peas!

Saturday morning the mail man brought me the most beautiful thing-

I fell in love with Sarah's blog, Peas and Thank You, a year ago.  Her family is vegetarian, which I am not, but I love all of her recipes.  Everything I have tried turns out amazing!  Sometimes you try recipes that are deemed "healthy" and "clean", but they lack so much flavor.  Everything that I have tried from her blog has turned out amazing.  When I got the book I was ecstatic!  

So, I decided to break it in with her mmmmm sauce.  I put all of the ingredients into the blender and watched the magic unfold before me eyes.  

 We made quesadillas, dipped them in mmmmm sauce, and even the husband like it!!!

Well, you can't tell from this picture.  This is his, "I'm enjoying my food here, is it really necessary to take a picture babe?" look. 

 Much better!  Isn't he just so handsome?!?!  He loved the mmmm sauce and didn't believe me when I told him what all was in it.  (garbanzo beans, nutritional yeast, salsa, lemon juice, and other fun goodies)

We found these beauties at Trader Joe's and they made the perfect quesadillas, and were gluten free!  Daniel even loved them and came home from work the next day requesting the same thing.  

 Not only did I try her mmmm sauce, I also made her infamous Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls.  I had family try them when they were over for dinner and they all raved about them.  She even has a gluten free version of them!!!    If you are reading this right now I highly encourage you to check out her blog, and make the cookies for your husband right now.  Trust me, he will love them!