Wishing you a Wonderful New Year! May the New Year ahead bring you new opportunities, better understanding of yourself and others and the chance to become your healthiest self!
Monday Motivational Meal—Mediterranean Pasta With Heirloom Tomatoes
Monday, December 28, 2020
I have been revisiting old favorites recently. Especially those that are lighter and healthier. When you have been cooking for a family as long as I have there are many of them! Fresh tomato pasta is one such family favorite. Ever since I read the article about how store bought tomatoes have had the taste bred out of them I have been hunting down heirloom tomatoes. It is like Christmas everyday for me. This vegetarian tomato pasta, served up on Vivente, is a must try!
Try this recipe here.
Monday Motivational Meal—Roasted Tomato Soup
Monday, December 21, 2020
Here is a Tomato Soup to warm up your spirits and your insides.There is nothing better than a simple homemade soup on a cold night.This soup is as simple as it gets and delivers a heartwarming satisfaction thanks to a little @CookingLight inspiration. We served ours up with Celebrate!
Click here for the recipe.
Roasted Tomato Soup--big in flavor yet low in carbs!
Friday, December 18, 2020
It is that time of year when a hot soup for dinner sounds devine. Soups are so good for our soul, health and weight management! They tend to be budget-friendly as well.
During the summer months we have a vegetable garden with a number of tomato plants. Typically we have more tomatoes than we can use so not only do we can them but we also freeze whole cherry and roma tomatoes. These can be used during the winter months to make soups and sauces.
Here is a Tomato Soup to warm up your spirits and your insides. There is nothing better than a simple homemade soup on a cold night. This soup is as simple as it gets and delivers a heartwarming satisfaction thanks to a little @CookingLight inspiration. We served ours up with Celebrate!
Roasted Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 8 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups unsalted vegetable stock
- 1 cup torn basil leaves (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Toss together tomatoes, garlic, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large bowl. Spread mixture in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast at 425ºF until tomatoes are softened and browned, 45 to 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low. Add onions, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened and caramelized, about 20 minutes, adding water if necessary if mixture becomes too dry.
- Transfer roasted tomato mixture and onions to a blender. Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Transfer tomato mixture back to pot. Stir in 2 cups vegetable stock; bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 5 minutes. Top soup with basil leaves, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Serves 4. Serving size: about 1½ cups. Calories 187; Fat 11g; Protein 5g; Carb 21g; Fiber 5g; Sugars 11g (no added sugars); Sodium 620mg.
To make it a meal: serve this luscious soup with a homemade muffin like Maple Squash or Apple N'Spice.
Monday Motivational Meal—Senational Sweet Potato Casserole
Monday, December 14, 2020
It is wonderful when you can find recipes that are easy, tasty and memorable. These are particularly important to find when planning for holiday meals. Sweet potato casseroles are a favorite for many families. A few years ago I discovered a wonderful, simple recipe for a sweet potato casserole that has a heavenly taste and is worthy of a holiday celebration. We baked and served our casserole up in the Aveq Serving Bowl...perfect for holiday entertaining!
Try this recipe out here.
Sensational Sweet Potato Casserole
Friday, December 11, 2020
A Wonderful Recipe for a Holiday Meal
It is wonderful when you can find recipes that are easy, tasty and memorable. These are particularly important to find when planning for holiday meals. Sweet potato casseroles are a favorite for many families. There are many recipes that have been handed down over the generations. The challenge with these recipes is that many have a lot of butter, sugar, cream and salt. These ingredients pack in the calories, fat and carbs.
A few years ago I discovered a wonderful, simple recipe for a sweet potato casserole that has a heavenly taste and is worthy of a holiday celebration. It originated with Ann Louise Gittelman author of the Fat Flush Diet. This recipe is bariatric-friendly, diabetes friendly, kid-friendly and budget-friendly. It is a wonderful addition to our holiday spread and goes so well with roasted turkey. Everyone in the family loves it. We baked and served our casserole up in the Aveq Serving Bowl...perfect for holiday entertaining!
Sensational Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 small/medium sweet potatoes, baked
- ⅓ cup unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons toasted coconut flakes (optional)
- Cooking Spray
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Peel cooked sweet potatoes and mash them.
- Blend in the pineapple juice. Add in the egg and spices and beat until light and foamy.
- Pour into a casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 35 minutes
- Once out of the oven sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes. Serve hot.
Nutritional Information
Servings: 5. Calories per serving: 119; Fat 1.6g; Sodium 71mg; Carb 23.6g; Dietary Fiber 3.5g; Protein 3.4g.
Perfect Gift Idea! Healthy Lifestyle Holiday Gift Set!
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
*This bundle, because it is already priced at a significant discount, is not eligible for additional discounts.
Making Happy and Healthy Memories for Every Holiday
Friday, December 4, 2020
So many of our happy memories are wrapped around the holidays. We remember special conversations, gifts that were given, an activity unique to the occasion and, of course, the smells of delicious foods from the kitchen, the wonder of the dishes presented and the tastes of our favorites bringing smiles to our faces. These memories compel us to want to repeat them and make those memories into traditions we can look forward to year after year.
The challenge comes when we want to live a healthy lifestyle and know that some of the traditions, particularly around food, need some changing. We are afraid of the resistance we might get from others, including ourselves, when the time honored family recipe is updated (like my beloved poppy seed bread) or the holiday fudge doesn’t appear. The reality is we can’t be afraid to change things up, make new traditions, and share our desire for healthy living with others, even during the holidays.
Making happy and healthy memories does not mean giving up those special foods only made during the holidays or giving up being with the ones you love or throwing away that ugly Christmas sweater you get a kick out of wearing to the family gathering.
What it does mean is creating an environment setting you up for success. It also means being fully present at each occasion. Additionally, we need to consciously make choices and be mindful as we drink and eat, purposefully choosing. And who says we can’t make the slices of poppy seed bread a little thinner?…who will even notice? And maybe instead of making that extra sweet potato casserole so everyone can have second and third helpings, we make just enough for everyone to enjoy.
Then consider the possibility of adding a healthy new tradition into the mix. What about a new festive drink that is tasty and lighter in alcohol and calories like a Rosemary Tequila Lime Smash? Or provide FitVine wine that is lower in calories and healthier for you. Another fun tradition is to participate in a local holiday Walk/Run or go to your local YMCA to join in on a free Zumba class (they offer free workout classes from kickboxing to spinning to Zumba each Thanksgiving). There are amny virtual options as well to stay safe.
These are simple examples of how we can add “healthy” into our holiday traditions still focusing on making happy memories and holding on to the importance of traditions…just making them ones we can enjoy long term, as healthy and happy people.
Wishing you the happiest and healthiest of holidays!
Monday Motivational Meal—Vanilla Shortbread
Monday, November 30, 2020
Shortbread is a holiday tradition in our house. I wanted to find a shortbread that used half the butter and had less calories than the classic version but didn't compromise on taste. I found one. The recipe replaces half the butter with canola oil which is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat. And to make it that much more wonderful, each serving is only 101 calories! You can't beat serving these treats up on Celebrate!
Click here for the recipe.
Monday Motivational Meal—Healthy Cinnamon Baked Apple
Monday, November 23, 2020
The texture and sweetness of a baked apple can be just the thing you need when you are wanting an easy, comforting snack or dessert. The great thing about baked apples is that they are easy to make and they keep well in the refrigerator for serveral days so you can enjoy this treat more than once and with no additional work involved other than heating it up. It looks yummy served up on Vivente!
Click here for the recipe.
Vanilla Bean Shortbread—Holiday Worthy!
Friday, November 20, 2020
I have always loved shortbread. So much of it is the memories associated with this delectable treat. When our children were growing up a friend would make her homemade shortbread and share it with us at Christmas. We so looked forward to it each year. It was so good!
Since the children have grown up and we moved away I have been in search of a good shortbread so we could again enjoy this favorite treat. Most shortbread is packed full of butter and therefore high in saturated fat and calories. I wanted a shortbread that used half the butter and had less calories but didn't compromise on taste. I found one. The recipe replaces half the butter with canola oil which is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat. And to make it that much more wonderful, each serving is only 101 calories! This recipe originally came from the Cooking Light Mix & Match Low-Calorie Cookbook.
This shortbread has the same flaky texture and lightness you look for in any good shortbread. The vanilla bean flavor adds a new dimension. I have never scraped out the seeds of a vanilla bean before. This technique provides a richness to the shortbread, and an aroma that is very appealing. They have been a hit with everyone I have shared them with. A definite repeat!
Vanilla Bean Shortbread
Ingredients
2 cups unbleached flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
Cooking Spray
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Line bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with foil; coat foil with cooking spray.
3. Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl. Stir with a whisk
4. Place butter in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add oil then beat again at medium speed until well blended. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean and add seeds to butter mixture. Discard bean.
5. Add flour mixture, beating a low speed just until blended.
6. Spoon dough into prepared pan. Place plastic wrap over dough. Then press dough to an even thickness. Discard the plastic wrap.
7. Bake at 350º for 30 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cut into 32 pieces. Carefully cool squares completely on a wire rack.
Nutritional Information
Servings: 32. Serving Size: 1 piece. Calories per piece: 101; Fat 6.4g; Protein .9g; Carb 10.1g; Fiber .2g; Sodium 39mg.
Monday Motivational Meal--Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans
Monday, November 16, 2020
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. A time when the diabetes community comes together to sound the alarm about the ever-growing epidemic. This recipe was shared by Shelby Kinnaird, a talented chef living with diabetes. She served up this delicious and easy sheet pan meal on Halsa!
Get the recipe here.
Easy Fall Menu to Highlight Diabetes Awareness Month
Friday, November 13, 2020
Guest Blog By Shelby Kinnaird
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when the diabetes community comes together to sound the alarm about the ever-growing epidemic. I was diagnosed with Type 2 in 1999 and many of my family members have been diagnosed since then. I’ve also lost friends to diabetes complications. It’s a big deal.
One way I manage my diabetes is through food. Watching my portion sizes is critical and I’m grateful to Livliga for making that task easier. While their dinnerware is functional and gorgeous, I absolutely adore the LivSpoons – measuring cups and serving spoons all in one! If you don’t have a set yet, treat yourself to a Diabetes Awareness Month gift. Self-care is an important part of diabetes management, you know.
After we all started quarantining (thanks COVID-19), I realized I missed having people over for dinner. I missed cooking together and I missed the conversation too. So, I began inviting folks to join me on Zoom to prepare a meal and have a fun chat too. We can’t eat at the same table right now, but we can cook together. Eventually, I’m hoping this new business I’m calling Put on Your Apron will morph into in-person experiences in exciting foodie destinations. But for right now, I’m hosting a monthly Cook & Chat that was described by one frequent attendee like this: “I feel like I'm cooking with friends without the fear of another one of my cooking disasters. All within an hour and I have a full meal!” If you’re interested in learning more and joining us sometime, please sign up for my Cook & Chat mailing list.
Menu
One Cook & Chat featured a sheet pan meal involving salmon and green beans. Don’t you just love sheet pan meals? They’re easy and there’s only one pan to wash afterwards. That meal was so easy and delicious, I want to share it with you.
Here’s the menu:
- Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans (recipe below)
- Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries and Almonds (recipe may be found in The Diabetes Cookbook for Electric Pressure Cookers or any wild rice pilaf will do)
- Cook the wild rice
- Preheat the oven
- Brush the baking sheet with olive oil
- Trim and rinse the green beans
- Portion the salmon
- Make the glaze
- Put the salmon on the baking sheet and brush with half of glaze
- Toss the beans with remaining glaze and scatter around salmon on baking sheet
- Roast for 10 to 15 minutes
- Toast the almonds for the salad
- Remove the salmon from oven and tent with foil; return beans to oven
- Finish the wild rice salad
- Remove beans from oven
- Plate on Livliga dinnerware and enjoy!
Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 salmon fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Brush 1/2 tablespoon of oil onto a baking sheet.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, mustard, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the brown sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet, skin-side down. Brush half of the butter mixture over the fillets.
- Place the green beans in a large bowl. Pour the remaining butter mixture over the beans and toss to coat. Scatter beans around the salmon.
- Roast until the thickest part of the salmon reaches 125°F, about 15 minutes. Remove the salmon to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Return the green beans to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until they are cooked the way you like them.
- Remove the green beans from the oven and serve with the salmon.
Notes
- The salmon will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven. (The FDA says the safe temperature is 145°F.)
- Nutritional information was calculated with MyFitnessPal and does not include optional ingredients.
Nutritional Information
Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 321 calories, 18 g total fat (5 g saturated), 64 mg cholesterol, 522 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 26 g protein
Monday Motivational Meal—Salmon Pattie
Monday, November 9, 2020
Salmon patties are a great budget-friendly, heart-friendly meal that is easy to fix. Since they are high in protein and low in carbs they fit into the diabetes and bariatric lifestyle too. Try this USDA MyPlate recipe...and make sure to serve it up on your favorite Livliga pattern...like Halsa!
Click here for the recipe.
Living with Diabetes...Before and During Covid-19
Friday, November 6, 2020
Guest Blog by Karen Graffeo
My memories around my diabetes diagnosis and my early years of life with a chronic illness are fuzzy. It was more than four decades ago, so it makes sense that the details aren't clear. But I do remember that food was suddenly a huge issue.
In the early 80s, living with diabetes meant sugar was forbidden. It meant following the "exchange diet," which dictated eating specific amounts of certain food groups at certain times, whether I was hungry or not. As a teenager, this was so hard. I hated being the different kid - the kid who had a snack when nobody else did, the only kid at the birthday party who couldn't eat the cake.
I'm thankful that diabetes treatment plans have significantly progressed, and with careful planning, I can fit almost any food into my diet. But I still feel my relationship with food is somewhat warped. Sometimes, I find myself eating something to prove I can, rather than because I genuinely want to eat it. I've been trying to eat mindfully for the past few years, but that's still a work in progress.
And then 2020 hit, with its COVID pandemic. Mindful eating seems to be a challenge for many of us now, as we crave comfort foods to get us through our "new normal." Living with diabetes puts me in the high-risk group, so my husband and I are (still) sheltering in place. Back in March, when we began hunkering down at home, I had a lot of stress around food availability. I needed to reserve each grocery delivery time slot a week in advance. Meal planning was difficult because many foods I considered staples were unavailable. Suddenly I worried a lot about food, just as I did decades ago.
Luckily, those issues have been resolved as the pandemic progresses. I can put in a grocery order to be delivered within a day or so. Almost everything in our order is usually in stock. Now that the "food worry" is gone, I can see some ways that the pandemic has improved what my husband and I are eating.
- Solid meal plans - We still order groceries once a week. We can't just run to the store on impulse. So, every weekend, I plan my complete menu for the coming week and stick to it.
- No dining out - I make poor food choices in restaurants. I’m not proud of that, but it's true. And although restaurants here in Connecticut are now open, with indoor and outdoor dining options, my husband and I don't feel ready for that. We order curbside pickup on occasion, but it just seems easier to cook at home instead - which means I'm making better food choices.
- Cooking more from scratch - I've never been one for frozen meals and heat-and-eat options. But since March, I find myself making more and more from scratch, resulting in healthier, less processed food with fewer additives and artificial ingredients.
Perhaps the best example of how the pandemic has helped us eat better is Friday Pizza Night, a tradition in our house for years. Before COVID, we'd place an order every Friday at one of the many great pizza places in town. In addition to a small pizza (which is always too big for just the two of us), we often added an appetizer and sometimes a salad and dessert. There was way too much food, and we ate way too much of it.
Being on lockdown didn't eliminate Friday Pizza Night, but it changed it for the better because I make our pizza from scratch now. Every few weeks, I knead up a batch of dough and divide it into three portions. Two go in the freezer for the next two Fridays, and one gets rolled out, topped with pizza sauce (also made from scratch), sprinkled with toppings, and baked up. Our homemade pizzas are smaller, just the right size for the two of us. There are no heavy appetizers, and dessert is also something I've baked up from scratch. It's all much healthier, and our portions are reasonable.
Living with diabetes is never easy. Living with it during a pandemic is hard. So yes, things since March have been difficult. But it isn't all bad, and I'd like to think that the new food habits my husband and I are forming will continue even after COVID becomes a distant memory.
Find DiabetesSisters on the web at https://diabetessisters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @DiabetesSisters.
Monday Motivational Meal—Beef Daube
Monday, November 2, 2020
There is a debate about the differences between Beef Daube and Beef Bourguignon. They are both beef stews but each with their own twists of ingredients and flavor. The Daube originated in Provence, the Bourguignon in Burgundy. We went with the Daube and served it up on Vivente. See what you think!
Click here for the recipe.
Easy Halloween Meal- Crockpot Burrito fixings Served Up on Livliga!
Friday, October 30, 2020
Halloween is a fun time to have friends and family over. And if you have an active family where kids are "trick or treating" or going to parties, you want a meal you can make ahead, is flexible so people can eat at different times and there is plenty for unexpected company. Most importantly, you want something hardy, that has protein, and will "stick to the ribs" since it is likely many will be eating too many sweets and lots of sugar!
Here is the meal I planned. It starts with a Barley, Black Bean and Corn Burritos crockpot recipe. This is actually a vegetarian meal and is something you can assemble and let slow cook early in the day. The crockpot fixings are then rolled up in a burrito and topped with salsa and 2 tablespoons of sour cream. The recipe describes placing 2 burritos on a bed of shredded lettuce to serve. If this is a much more informal meal, I suggest putting the lettuce in the burrito instead. It will make it easier to eat.
I completed the meal with strawberries. These can be cut up to be put in a bowl to eat or left whole so they can be eaten with your fingers, again depending on when and how you are serving your meal.
This is a simple yet festive meal that can be made to be very flexible and work well even if you are not having a "sit down" meal. Our family loved the burritos. The vote was to put it on the list of repeats.
Calories for 2 burritos with toppings is 402. One cup of strawberries is 52 calories for a total of 454 calories for the meal. I added a 6 ounce glass of red wine for 120 calories. Total for the evening festivities: 574 calories.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Monday Motivational Meal — Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup
Monday, October 26, 2020
One of the ongoing debates about eating healthy is the challenge to do it on a budget. There is often the underlying assumption that it is not possible to eat healthy on limited resources. With a little planning it is. Soups are the easiest. Come Fall I particularly love a homemade Vegetable Beef Soup. It is hearty, healthy and good for our immune system to keep the flu and other viruses at bay. For perfect portioning serve it up in your favorite Livliga bowl with our award-winning LivSpoons!
Try this recipe here!
Exploring Meal Delivery Services as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Friday, October 23, 2020
As we have all been faced with varying degrees of staying safe at home, more of the meal prepping has fallen on us as part of our daily responsibilities. Sometimes it feels hard to keep up with and also be mindful of what we are eating. Some have found a real benefit in subscribing to meal delivery services.
There is a lot to think about when deciding on whether a meal delivery service makes sense in your life. Are they actually going to be more helpful? Can they be affordable? And equally importantly, are there plans that are health-minded and able to be personalized for me?
Here are some thoughts about meal delivery plans and the choices available:
Why meal delivery service plans can be helpful now—
- Easy way to plan your meals for the week ahead
- Allows you to budget
- Not wasting money with junk or unused foods
- Menus designed with ingredients for specific meals delivered to your home
- Easy way to home cook a meal when you are not comfortable cooking
- You can stay in place
What to look for in a meal delivery service plan?
- Choice in frequency—decide on what makes sense for you…how many meals do you want delivered each week and for how many meals a day
- Quality of ingredients—is it important that the ingredients be fresh or is is okay that the meals have been prep and prepared so all you have to do is warm it up
- Cost—the cost can very…the fresher the ingredients the more costly the plans can be…also the frequency and quantity of meals each week influences the overall cost
- How much prep is required by you—this is a really important question…all of us are different…be honest in what you are ready to take on
- Flexibility and variety in choice—each plan varies…make sure you find a plan that meets your needs
- Number that can be served with an ordered meal—if you are looking for individual meals or meals to serve a family make sure the plan you like can meet that need
- Calories—this is important to note because plans vary in the amount of calories per meal. Make sure to find a plan that meets your healthy lifestyle needs. In looking at the plans previously I found many of them ranged from 600-1000 per serving per meal. My goal is to find meals for 400-500 calories per meal.
How do I find plans?
- Ask your friends and those who share specific health requirements with you like those in the bariatric community or diabetes community
- Look to experts you respect
- Check out online reviews like: ConsumerAdvocate.org
Some examples of plans—as a place to start—
- Freshly- good for quick meals and single people
- Veestro- good for eating vegan
- BistroMD- good for special dietary needs
What to keep in mind once you have your delivery—
- Since most plans come to serve multiple people
- Remember to measure—Livliga helps! Use those LivSpoons!
- Remember to pre-portion for all intended meals from the order received
- Serve your meals up on right-sized plates and sit down to eat it to maximize the pleasure from your meal and the sense of feeling satisfied at the end of the meal
- Think about how the meals you order fit into the bigger daily plan and weekly plan for eating healthy
It is so important to find the rhythm and routines that support us in a healthy lifestyle. For some that can mean taking advantage of meal delivery services. Any way we can create a healthy food environment and sustain a healthy lifestyle is the right one for us.
Monday Motivational Meal — Biscoff Cookies
Monday, October 19, 2020
There is nothing better than baking in the fall! This Biscoff cookie from our Holiday Baking ebook we did in collaboration with @ChefVanessaMusi is a delectable, healthy baked good that will make your kitchen smell like heaven and your stomach glad you took the time to bake! Make sure to enjoy on one of our acclaimed Celebrate side plates to complete your inspiration!
Enjoy this recipe and others by downloading our FREE Holiday Baking eBook below!
Tasty Sloppy Joe—An Update on a Classic
Friday, October 16, 2020
There is nothing better than a Sloppy Joe when you are ready for a simple meal that can accommodate a few or many. This recipe is one that is also mindful of your pocketbook. It has the classic flavor of a Sloppy Joe yet has been updated to be more health-balanced. Try it out and see what you think!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- ½ yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 celery stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 5-7 minutes.
- Add ground beef to skillet. Breaking up meat with your spoon. Cook until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes.
- Stir tomato sauce and next four ingredients into beef mixture in skillet. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes.
- Spoon onto buns and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Servings: 4. Calories per serving: 404. Fat 13g; Sodium 917mg; Carbohydrate 35.2g; Fiber 8g; Protein 41.8g
To make it a meal: add a handful of carrot sticks and a piece of fruit, like an apple cut into sections. Or for a dinner try baked fries and a simple tossed green salad
Monday Motivational Meal — Lentil Salad with Soft-Cooked Eggs
Monday, October 12, 2020
Enjoy the trend of Meatless Mondays with a Fresh Lentil Salad and Soft Cooked Egg. This vegetarian meal is a great way to foster healthy routines in our daily lives. The flavors and textures are delicious. The lentils make it an ideal meal for a heartier Fall Supper. ...served up on Livliga, of course!
Try the recipe out here!
Ways to Enjoy a Healthy Fall
Friday, October 9, 2020
The trees are changing and the temperature is falling. It smells like autumn outside. With the change in seasons comes the opportunity to also change things up in our lives. Each season has it’s own special foods, activities, and traditions. The challenge is to take advantage of the seasons in a healthy way and have fun creating or tweaking traditions so they support our commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
What are the best seasonal foods for fall? That’s easy…
For some recipe inspiration go to the Livliga Live Vibrant blog
What is fun is to seek out fun fall activities that make this time of year memorable. Here is a seasonal list of activities to get you excited and doesn’t require spending a lot of money and can be done safely…
Each season it is always important to give yourself an emotion well-being check in. There are ways to give yourself some downtime, some time to re-energize and time to just pamper yourself. Ideas on seasonal pampering-
It can make a big difference on how we manage seasonal stresses if we spend some time thinking about how to manage them. Do some seasonal planning to manage inevitable holiday stresses and holiday overeating. Preempt your seasonal triggers with ideas like these…
Use the seasons as a way to focus on you and your health in the best possible way. There is only one you and you are worth every minute of focus, planning, and seasonally-designed enjoyment!
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- Apples
- Roots vegetables
- Squashes like pumpkin
- Soups
- Chilis
For some recipe inspiration go to the Livliga Live Vibrant blog
- Go pick your own apples
- Enjoy a walk in the park
- Rake leaves
- Find a pumpkin patch and pick out your own jack o’lantern
- Take a hayride
- Movies perfect for fall viewing-
- October Sky
- You’ve Got Mail
- Rudy
- Fly Away Home
- Practical Magic
- Fix a cup of Chai tea and read a good book (treat yourself to a new book)
- Get Your nails done with a fall color (is more appropriate...do it yourself)
- Invite friends in your bubble over to carve pumpkins and enjoy some good company, preferrably outside
- Sign up for a yoga or Tai Chi class to de-stress, this can easily be done online or in a park
- Do research on healthier versions of your favorite seasonal recipes and then share to support your healthy lifestyle like-
Use the seasons as a way to focus on you and your health in the best possible way. There is only one you and you are worth every minute of focus, planning, and seasonally-designed enjoyment!
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