Sharing Recipes

As promised, I'm sharing a few recipes I've come across and enjoyed in our quest to eat healthier.
A month or two ago we found out that Jeff is lactose intolerant, so we've gone dairy free.  And we're still trying to cut down on our meat intake.
I had a few meals I normally make that fit this criteria, but then I felt stuck.  I've decided to have soup one or two nights a week, because there are several soups we like that I can cycle through, but I was still having trouble filling the other days, so I went to the library to flip through cook books.
I started with several titles with the word "healthy" in them, but I was disappointed with their selection of recipes.  So many didn't fit my criteria!  But then I picked out a few Vegan cookbooks, and I found several promising recipes.  While we're not planning to ever be full-blown Vegans, it's a great place to look for dairy free and meat free meals.
Jeff and I had this one for breakfast this morning, and it was really good!

Peanut Butter Granola Wrap
2 Tbsp peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1 whole-wheat flour tortilla
2 Tbsp granola
1/2 banana, sliced thin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp raisins or craisins
1 tsp honey (optional)
Spread peanut butter down the center of the tortilla and layer granola and bananas on top [I did two layers].  Sprinkle with cinnamon and raisins, and drizzle with honey if desired.  Warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to slightly melt the peanut butter.
*I didn't sit and measure out the amounts, but I included them to give you a general idea.  And the original recipe called for agave nectar instead of honey, since it's a vegan cookbook.  I'm really glad I found this, because I'm always looking for healthy breakfast ideas.

We had this one for dinner last night, and I was surprised how much I liked it.  Jeff was surprised to discover that he likes the taste of avocado - this was the first time he's tried some.  I altered it a bit to fit my taste buds, though.  Below I've typed up the original recipe, and then I make note of what I did differently at the bottom.  It's funny - I've always avoided Mexican type dishes in the past, but I'm trying to branch out and try more things.  I will NEVER be open to hot sauce or jalapeño peppers, though.

Messy Taco Salad
2 heads iceberg lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup corn
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced, or 2 Tbsp canned green chiles (optional)
1 can refried black beans
2 Tbsp taco sauce or 1 tsp hot sauce
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup mayonnaise
10-12 tortilla chips, crumbled
1 avocado, diced (optional)
Combine the lettuce, olives, corn, and jalapeño peppers in a large bowl.  Warm the beans slightly over the stove or in the microwave, just until softened.  Combine beans with taco sauce, salsa, and mayonnaise, breaking up the beans and mixing to form a thick sauce. Combine bean mixture with lettuce, stirring to combine as much as possible.  Add tortilla chips and avocado, and stir gently to combine. Add a dash or two of extra hot sauce, to taste.
*I used spinach and kale instead of iceberg lettuce, I used a can of corn, and I cut out the olives, jalapeños, and taco sauce.  I found a nice black bean and corn salsa at Walmart that wasn't too spicy.  I didn't measure out the salsa and mayo - I just put in an equal amount of the two.  I also didn't mix everything all together - I like everyone to have the option to put together their own salad in the ratios they prefer, so I laid out the tortilla chips, avocado, greens, and then the rest mixed together in four separate bowls.

The book had a great tip for making your own tortilla chips, something I had never thought about doing before.

Baked Tortilla Chips
Slice whole-wheat tortillas into strips or triangles, and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil for a crispier chip, and season with a bit of salt and garlic powder if you want, or just bake them plain.  Bake at 300 degrees for about 5-6 minutes on each side.
*I fit two tortillas on a baking sheet, and I sprayed it with non-stick spray first.  I did them plain for 5 minutes on each side, and they turned out great!  I found it helpful to use a toothpick and spatula when flipping them (bracing them with the spatula and flipping with the toothpick). I think this would be a good way to use up slightly stale tortillas, too.

Lastly, I wanted to share a yummy and easy fruit leather that I made with my dehydrator.  All you do is mix unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon (at a ratio of one cup applesauce:1/4 tsp cinnamon, or to taste, but I found this amount to be just right).  I have a small round dehydrator, and I filled one tray with two cups of cinnamon applesauce.  The house smelled SO good while it was drying, and the texture and taste of the finished product was just right!  I will definitely make it again in the future.

So there you go.  There are a few recipes and tips I've enjoyed recently.  I hope you enjoy them as well!

Two Elmos

One of Cosette's favorite toys for the past year has been a stuffed Elmo.  She sleeps with it, carries it around the house, feeds it food at the dinner table, brings it with us on shopping trips, etc.

Well, this past week she was given a second Elmo.  I didn't really want to deal with two and thought I could make the new one disappear without her caring/noticing, but no such luck.  Cosette LOVES having two Elmos.  She calls the new one "Big Elmo" and her old one "Little Elmo."  In the pictures below, Big Elmo is on the left and Little Elmo is on the right.  They're practically the same size, but Big Elmo is a little chubbier and a smidge taller.

Both Elmos originally had voice boxes in them, but I quickly removed them.  I was determined NOT to have a talking Elmo in my house.  But I kept the voice boxes and occasionally let her play with them.

As you can see in the pictures below, Cosette also enjoys playing with other stuffed animals and her boppy pillow.  She often likes to have 4-6 stuffed animals with her and enlists me in helping her carry them from room to room.  One day when she was taking a bath she had me line up Big Elmo, Little Elmo, Baby, Tiger, Big Bear, DeeDee, and Little Puppy along the cabinet to watch her take her bath (at first she wanted them in the bath with her, but I said no).

It was kind of fun playing around with some of the photo effects - I hope you don't mind.
A few days ago Cosette insisted that her Elmos needed socks and shoes before leaving the house.  So Big Elmo got to wear a pair of socks, and Little Elmo wore a pair of her baby shoes.  She is so funny!