Yes. It is that simple...today!

I am so disgustingly excited about how EASY & fast this dish is that I literally just ate & am ready to start making my next required snack! I'm blogging from my iPhone for the 1st time so bare w/ me as I try to figure out technology that I don't use to its full advantage. Since finding out I have Gestational Diabetes I've been on the prowl for low carb options & replacements in my meals. I know this isn't uncommon but w/ diabetes on both sides of my family I want to take this time to educate & really learn some awesome lifestyle habits.

Today's education came from my lettuce that came in last week's produce box. I usually make a veggie couscous & eat lettuce wraps but since I'm trying to lay off the large carb intake I decided to do a TBLT Lettuce Wrap! That's turkey bacon, lettuce, & tomato :) All you do is cut up the turkey bacon into whatever size chunks or crumbles you want and cook them. While they're getting ready dice up some fresh tomato & zucchini. When bacon is almost done toss in the veggies & sauté. The turkey bacon should season these up but feel free to add a pinch of salt or seasoning here. Then get your fresh lettuce leaves ready, stuff, & eat! Oh my gosh, yummy right!?!! 3 Veggies, 1 protein & it's something I am pretty sure everyone would enjoy for a quick snack or even a dinner side to talapia & asparagus! Mmm....,now my mind is racing w/ how delish this could be on a picnic or backyard adventure with the kids! Feel free to play with your food.. It's your food!!

Cream Spinach w/o Le Cremé!

Yes this is creamy and delish and everything I hoped it would be! I really wanted creamed spinach without all the hustle and fat of actual cream so instead I made a rue and seasonings and cheeses! This is so easy, it's easily a staple for dinners now. You can make this and top pizza with it, eat as a side, place in pasta dishes, it's boundaries are limitless as long as your taste buds are too!

10 ounces - 1 lb of fresh spinach, tough stems removed 1 tbsp butter 1 tdsp all-purpose flour 1/4 cup low-fat milk (you can add more if you wish for a runnier base) 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese

2 tbsp of Feta ( I used Feta for umph and salt. Any kind would be good, so I used Tomato and Basil)

Directions: 

1. Heat butter in small - medium small sauce pan over medium-high heat
2. Add flour. Cook, stirring continuously until bubbly..about 30 seconds 
3. Add milk, nutmeg, pepper; while this cooks, whisk continuously for 1 - 3 mins until thickened
4. Add Spinach to sauce, cook down for 1 min 
5. Sprinkle in cheeses and stir to melt
6. Top w/ extra Parm or PR if desired

This was a RICH RICH version because of the Feta (my preggo taste buds always ask for the rich flava flavs!) So if you're not sure how you feel about the feta, leave it out and just do the regular cheese. Look for organic or low sodium cheeses in the specialty cheese sections of your deli. You pay for what you get, Gucci vs Mossimo! 

Hippie Granola Bars ( or just Granola)

I just like the word hippie. I could use terms such as healthy, wholesome, natural, but hippie is so much more fun. I  know I am FOREVER and a day late on posting ANYTHING so tonight while I have a few spare minutes ( the husband is playing COD ) I figured I'd fight off some sleep and write up a quick post! Now I LOVED these granola bars and so did Avery however I needed to add MORE peanut/almond butter to made them "stick" better into bars however with my recent diagnosis of gestation diabetes I am steering clear of these bad boys only because the honey and oats are carb loading freaks that I crave consistently. However, in moderation even I could eat these bad boys! (Nuts = protein!)

To the left you see the ingredients I used. I LOVE Trader Joe's but in general you can find healthy options at most grocery stores or online. I love TJs organic trail mixes! They come presized for servings and are a wonderful addition to muffins, tops of breads, oatmeal, and today.. Granola Bars! I also used a cranberry/pomegranate mix of dried berries, a golden berry blend of raisins, golden raisins, cherries, cranberries, and blueberries. YES dried fruit typically is loaded with sugars. That's why reading labels is THE most important step in shopping. Find chemical free and no sugar added brands. This helps with not only watching your natural sugar only intake *fruit is sweet enough alone* but also knowing why marketing is a multi-billion dollar industry that is out there to confuse and trick us into thinking that just because it's "this" or "that" it will be healthier for us. I call bluff and will show you my cards sir. Check up on what you're putting in you and your families bodies :)

Ok enough preaching.. I also used Raw Sunflower seeds and old fashion oats.

 My "stick" was the Almond butter ! 

Ingredient list (remember this is flexible, add and do what you and your family likes!):

• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1/2 cup or more of natural organic (or raw!) peanut butter/almond butter/almond butter w/ roasted flax seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon of organic vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups of traditional rolled oats 
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries (or other fruit)
• 1/4 cup of whatever other dried fruit you desire 
• 4 tbsp of raw sunflower seeds
• 2 tbsp of slivered almonds (optional) (mine were in the trail mix I crushed up and added!)
• 3 tbsp of sesame seeds

How to eat and destroy .:: evil laugh ::. :

1. Measure Nut butter, vanilla extract, and honey in a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl
2. Microwave on high for 45 sec - 1 min, when melted stir 
3. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir melted mixture into dry ingredients.
4. Mix well then press into a non-greased 8X8 inch dish 
5. Bake at 350 for 10-20 mins until golden brown
6. Serve and DestroY! 

I took these to play school for two weeks for snack (plus a snacking at home, at the park, for breakfast with yogurt)! They last quiet awhile in a Tupperware dish on my counter top! If your 'bars' come out crumbly, don't get discouraged, next time just add more nut butter! Crumble this bad boy up and sprinkle on yogurt, make parfaits, top smoothies, slap some in a bag for a snack or treat for the kids! Easy peasy lemon squeezies! 

Grab ya granola

YO GRANOLA GRANOLA!