It was 5:30 a.m. when I rolled into the gym this morning and there were like, no parking spaces to be had. Inside was filled to the brim with newbies, returning members, and those people who promised themselves they would go to the gym “everyday” in the New Year. HA! We’ll see how long that lasts, is all I have to say. Not like Kathy, Lori and I. We work out. We do yoga. We live. All year round!

I say this because people make unrealistic goals and resolutions for themselves and they set the bar too high, only to be let down, before giving up hope completely and throwing in the towel, no pun intended. Instead of deciding that this week you’ll stop eating sugar, stop drinking coffee, and lose five pounds, think simpler and it’ll happen. That being said, I’m addicted to those Fiber One bars. They’re 90 calories, are obviously packed with fiber, and they taste amazing… except for the fact that they each have five grams of sugar and other stuff I can’t pronounce in them. Boo!

Andy and I decided we are going to try super hard this year to lower our processed food/sugar intake. Easier said than done for this girl who had some Cherry Garcia ice cream just last weekend! Like I said, you have to start simple and not take ice cream out entirely because that would be stupid and not fun anyhow. So I’m replacing my daily Fiber One bar with some homemade granola that I’ll make in bulk now and snack on during the week. Not only will this save me some money, but it cuts out the processed sugar and other bad things I skim over when I read the label.

Here is some granola that is packed with spices; cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, apple pie and pumpkin pie spice too! And instead of white or brown sugar, I’ve used maple syrup and raw honey as a substitute. It works just as well and you won’t notice, or miss it, I swear! I love granola for breakfast with some almond milk and also as an afternoon snack with tea while I read. Oh! I’m currently reading The Marriage Plot by Jeffery Eugenides who also wrote The Virgin Suicides and Middlesex, two books that I highly recommend and loved! What’s on your reading list?!

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Spice Up Your Life Granola- makes 2 lbs. 

-2 lb. rolled oats (I used Trader Joe’s gluten/wheat free blend)

-1/2 cup chopped walnuts

-1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts

-5 oz. bag of dried cranberries

-2 T chia seeds

-1 T cinnamon

-1/4 tsp each of nutmeg, allspice, ginger, apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice

-2 T coconut oil, melted

-2 tsp vanilla extract

-1 T honey

-1 T maple syrup

-1/2 cup shredded coconut

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300.

2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, spices and nuts. Combine well.

3. In a sauté pan, melt the coconut oil, maple syrup and honey together.

4. Mix the oats and the melted mixture together.

5. On a large baking sheet, lined with parchment paper, place the granola mixture.

6. Bake for 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Then add the shredded coconut, mixing well.

7. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until coconut is browning with the oats.

8. Take out of the oven and add the cranberries, mixing well.

9. Enjoy with milk at breakfast or have a handful for a yummy snack!

 

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After I made the granola today, I started preparing a turkey meatloaf, especially for my hubby Andy. Why? Well, let’s just say last night when he asked what was for dinner and I replied “a big salad and roasted acorn squash,” he looked none to pleased. “Squash again?” he said. Okay hun. I got the point. You’re craving some meat and I’m here to deliver with this Veggie Lover’s Turkey Meatloaf. Seriously, he’s gonna laugh when he’s see it because it looks like a giant salad just shaped like a loaf! But you can’t beat the nutritional value of this loaf. It’s packed with veggies and super lean ground turkey so you’ll feel full, not guilty, when you’re through. I bet Randy would have approved!

 

Veggie Lover’s Turkey Meatloaf- serves 4 to 6 

Ingredients:

-1.25 lb. Jennie-O ground turkey

-1 large tomato

-3 large carrots, chopped

-5 celery stalks, chopped

-1 cup baby portobello mushrooms, sliced

-1/2 red onion, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1/2 serrano pepper, diced

-1 handful rosemary

-1 T balsamic vinegar

-salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Chop up all the vegetables and the rosemary and add to a large bowl mixing well. Add the balsamic vinegar too.

  

3. Add in the ground turkey and mix well with your hands.

 

4. Make into a little loaf and then transfer to a baking sheet lined with tin foil.

 

5. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until browning. Enjoy!

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In case you were wondering about that squash I made last night for dinner, it’s another easy peesy recipe to make and eat within 30 minutes. Just take an acorn squash, or any squash for that matter, and cut it and de-seed it, place it cut-side down on a baking sheet and stick it in the oven for about 20 minutes. Then add a little salt and pepper and maybe some brown sugar or honey. Yummy! Oh! And just look at all the potatoes I grew in my garden this past fall! They were finally ready to pick and eat and that we did! If you’ve never grown potatoes before, it has got to be the easiest thing to harvest, EVER! I love growing my own food, it is SO rewarding!

  

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To all my friends and family who are dealing with extreme cold and inches of snow, I am praying for you… and remembering just why it is we moved here from Chicago! Check out our old street… so glad I’m not having to walk the dogs down that! What a difference a year or two makes…

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