Chicken Vegetini

December 13, 2018March 10, 2020 / livelycravings / 3 Comments

I had Chicken tetrezini for the first time when I was 10. I fell in love with it. My mom made it for everyone of my birthdays. My favorite comfort food. I healthanized it with replacing dairy to dairy free milk and adding extra veggies. I use organic butter and flour for the rue. You can use any veggie you have or want to use and make this dish your own. I hope this is a comfort food for you.

Chicken Vegetini

5 chicken breast cubed

2 tbsp oil or butter

1/4 cup broth or dry white wine

1 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms

1 colour pepper diced

1 cup asparagus diced

Salt and pepper

–

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1 cup broth

1 cup milk ( I use coconut milk)

1/2 cup dry white wine or broth

Salt and pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Spaghetti or any pasta

–

Cut veggies and chicken. Heat a large pan to medium high heat with oil and fry chicken. When cooked pour out some of the liquid and add mushrooms, veggies, wine or broth, salt and pepper. simmer about 5 minutes. Set aside well you make the sauce.

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Measure broth and milk so you are ready to go because we have to work quick. Heat large pot to medium high heat and melt butter add flour and whisk to a paste and start rotating milk and broth a little at a time. Continue stiring and add wine, spices and parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer and once thickened add the chicken mixture.

Cook pasta and serve seperate or mix pasta with sauce.

Enjoy!

Peace and Love!

Video Game Lock Up

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017 / livelycravings / 2 Comments

My kids are video game addicts! I was having a real hard time restricting them. I felt out of control! My kids were missing out on life, always being sucked into Minecraft I tried different ways, like no video game Wednesday. We would do a family adventure instead. It faded away in time. We have tried many rules but none of them stuck. We found a solution that works and now the kids can be kids. Life is in my control with a precious little key.

Needed:

Tool box

Lock and key

Power bar

Drill

Drill a whole in the side to enable you to charge the electronics when they are locked up if you want.

Today is a snow day and they promised to help me around the house and not make any messes. It’s beautiful outside so a cross country ski is definitely the plan.

Jona cleaning snow off the truck.

Good Luck to all the parents who’s kids are addicted to electronics!

Ginger Water

March 2, 2017March 2, 2017 / livelycravings / Leave a comment

I have been kicking colds this season left and right. Dare I jinks myself but we have not had the flu. Knock on wood! Anytime I feel my immune system failing I have a few tricks and man I swear by them. I hope this is not too late for you. I guess you could call this drink a hot toddy but some would say it’s not a hot toddy without whiskey. I take this drink on the go and keep adding water. I call it ginger water if someone asks me. I like it better than tea, plus it’s less expensive. My coffee mug makes my coffee taste like ginger and I like it. This drink is versatile because you can add some other flavors. I hope you can enjoy this drink and kick any colds that might cross your path.

Hot water

Ginger

Honey

Cinnamon

Turmeric

Lemon (optional)

Grate, dice or mince the ginger. If using a garlic press to mince, press slowly into the mug because ginger juice squirts everywhere. Scrap the garlic press and scrape the ginger with a knife. Use as much ginger as you like. Dilute with hot or warm water. Stir in honey, cinnamon and turmeric. The ginger pieces sink to the bottom.

Other ways I keep my immune system healthy are:

Eat raw garlic

Drink a freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning.

Taking vitamin B 6 and 12

Taking vitamin D every day

Low or no sugar

Eat lots of food with vitamin C or take a supplement

Eat green vegetables everyday.

Oil of Oregono capsules or a drop on my tooth brush.

I wish peace and health to everyone!

Mental Health Salad

January 25, 2017January 30, 2017 / livelycravings / 3 Comments

Today is Bell Lets Talk Day! I will try to keep this short but I have a lot to say. I have had A.D.H.D all my life and I was diagnosed in grade two and off and on I got special ed but by the time I got to high school I was really behind. I was retested and begun taking ridalin. I have always sufford with depression but not to many people understood me. I felt alone and judged. My parents got me a dog to talk to. Talking is key! I love Bell for making a day to talk about mental health. Life before kids was a different story. My life with kids motivates me everyday to be the best person I can be. My son was diagnosed with A.D.H.D also in grade two and has been on Concerta since. I have done lots of research on how to eat for this disorder . Basically eating clean and lots of healthy fats. We do lots of out door activity’s and we are always in nature. We spend time as a family everyday. I follow my passions and values. I am confident about myself and I try not care if people like me. There are so many judgmental people out there and that is why we are so self conscious. More talking and empathy will help so many. #BellLet’sTalk

Hemphearts are a miracle for our body’s and our brains! Nutrition is so important for us to stay mentally and physically healthy. I made this salad last night and was pleasantly surprised and with today being a day to talk about mental health made my realise that this salad might bring world peace. Since my last post on Oven Beets I have been eating beets everyday because they are ready in the fridge. I add them to salad and to smoothies. Please stand strong and help make the world be a happier place and eat superfoods that are full of nutrition. Lets start by adding hemphearts to your salad.

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Spinach

Hemphearts

Oven Beets

Avocado

Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil

salt (optional)

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I feel as though you do not need instruction to make salad. I used maple balsamic vinegar.

I started eating healthy for my mental health but if I told someone that they usually said why. I stopped telling people because I was judged. That’s enough! People open your eyes and your perspective please! Lets work together to help others not to judge others.

I hope peace, love and health to all!

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Oven Beets

December 8, 2016December 13, 2016 / livelycravings / 4 Comments

Hey so I was at the grocery store the other day and I saw 10 pound bags of beets from Quebec and I couldn’t resist. When I got home I was roasting a chicken anyway so I wrapped 3 beets in tin foil on a small baking sheet. After they were cooked, all I had to do is peel off the skin with my fingers and then dice them. I was going to my mom’s for a visit so I brought the beets over for a snack. She took out her 20 year aged balsamic vinegar and Oh my! I have a new favorite snack. I like to eat beets because of their cleansing properties. Try beets with a dollop of cashew cream. This recipe is so simple and so delicious. Even if you dont love beets please try this non recipe.

Beets

Balsamic vinegar, olive oil or vinaigrette

Salt (optional)

Hemp seeds (optional)

Set oven for around 375. Wash beets. Trim off the tops. Wrap in tin foil and roast for almost an hour. Peel off the skin with your fingers and dice em up. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Serve cold or warm, drizzle balsamic vinegar, another oil or vinaigrette. Top with hemp seeds or cashew cream.

I am still developing recipes but I have been having technical difficulties lately. I’m enjoying life and looking forward to winter! My snowboard is waxed and ready, Thanks to John at Sessions Ride Company. Awesome Store!

Quinoa Cabbage Casserole

October 4, 2016 / livelycravings / 1 Comment

Hi! I hope everyone has access to organic and local produce. Like grass-fed beef or chicken. I love animals and a big part of me wants to be a vegan. My family wants to eat meat so let them eat meat.

For something a little different try this Quinoa Cabbage Casserole. My toughest critics ate it with no complaints. Feel free to leave out the mushrooms or sweet potatoes for your toughest critics. Also replace the Herb De Provence with a little thyme, oregano, marjoram, tarragon and rosemary. Top with sour cream too.

Easy to cook in a casserole dish or a crockpot. Go ahead make it your own!

Quinoa Cabbage Casserole

1 cup Broth (use less if cooking in crockpot)
1 cup Quinoa
1 Sweet Potato shredded
1 cup Cabbage chopped

Ground Meat

1 Onion chopped small

1/2 cup Mushrooms chopped small

1 Celery chopped small

2 Cloves of Garlic minced

1 1/2 cups Cabbage chopped

1 Can diced Tomatoes

Pinch Allspice

Pinch Paprika

1/2 tsp Herbes de Provence

Salt and pepper

In layers place, quinoa, broth, sweet potato and cabbage. Fry meat until almost done and remove some liquid from the meat. Add onion, mushrooms, celery, garlic and fry a few minutes.

Mix spices in the can of tomatoes.Layer on the meat then tomatoes then cabbage.

Preheat oven to 400. Cover casserole with foil and cook for about 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook for 5 more minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes.

To cook in crockpot, the time will depend on your crock pot, maybe 4 hours or more on low.

Easy and Cheap Zucchini and Beans

September 13, 2016 / livelycravings / Leave a comment

Hey I hope everyone had a nice summer! Mine was very busy with work, kids, gardening, camping and pokemon go adventures. I also moved half my perennial garden and started strawberries and grapes. I figured I would rather have plants that feed me. We do two small trips every summer to different provincial parks. We love the adventure of discovering new places. We rode our bikes around and hit the beach. This year we discovered Ivanhoe and Chutes provincial parks in Ontario.

This summer I cooked and baked mainly my go-to recipes, such as my cool chocolate chip cookies or Go to Guacamole and tried to eat all my garden vegetables. I did develop this zucchini and beans dish. I was at my lake house with only my youngest for two days and I came down with a cold. I felt terrible so I made this healthy dish with lots of garlic. I made it the following week for the rest of the family and it was liked by all. Even better that it only cost $3. What? Yeah, my zucchini are free so just green onions, organic garlic, and canned pinto beans were purchased.

Serves four or five

3 Zucchini’s or 2 medium ones

3 Green onions

2 or 3 Garlic

Can of pinto beans

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cooked quinoa or rice optional

Cut up zucchini, green onions and garlic. Strain and rinse the beans. Heat pan and add coconut oil or other oil or butter. Fry zucchini until almost translucent then add Green onion, garlic, beans, salt and pepper. Fry for a few minutes until desired tenderness. Serve alone or on a bed of quinoa or rice.

I did go see some live music this summer. Kate Maki and Fred Squire are an awesome singing couple. I’ve been a big fan of Kate for a long time and highly recommend purchasing her albums on iTunes. Also Brock Zeman and JoPo. To end my summer I saw an awesome punk show, SNFU, at my favorite bar. I felt 21 again.

Dear to my Hemp Heart

June 21, 2016December 8, 2016 / livelycravings / Leave a comment

Hemp hearts are like one of the Healthiest food on the planet! A complete protein, it has omega 6-3, iron, thiamine, magnesium, zinc and lots of other healthy stuff. Basically, if you look at the nutrition facts on a bag of hemp hearts and fortified milk or bread they are similar so what would you rather eat? Real food or fortified foods? I really notice the difference in my hunger levels when I eat Hemp hearts. The same way an avocado does for me.

I sneak Hemp hearts into my family’s breakfast nearly every morning. I’ve always been a morning person and liked to plan my breakfast before bed. I love waking up before anyone else and having quiet time. I make apple oatmeal 5 days a week, I love it so much but not as much as peach oatmeal. I try not to cook the hemp hearts because the fat breaks down easy so its better to add hemp hearts after the oatmeal is ready. Raw is best!

Favorite foods that I add hemp hearts to:

Yogurt – Add to plain yogurt with fruit
Oatmeal – Add after oatmeal is cooked

Smoothie – My usual is half of a banana or avocado, strawberries, mango, hemp hearts, coconut milk, water and maybe kale.

Pesto

Energy balls

Salads and salad dressing – Blend oil, acid, dijon mustard, herbs, salt and pepper

Popsicles – I ask the kids what fruit flavor they want (lately it’s been orange) and blend it with lemon, honey, coconut milk or water and hemp hearts and freeze.

Raw cookie dough – roll balls in it but seriously you must try these! No measure raw cookie dough

Soup – Add after soup is cooked. Super good with Butternut squash soup

Chocolate bark

Hummus

Oven Beets – Oven Beets

The list goes on and on. When you need a protein boast look no further because Hemp is what you need.

People ask me a lot how I eat hemp hearts and I thought this post might inspire your love for hemp hearts too.

Three tablespoons a day keeps the doctor away.

Summer Quinoa Salad

June 7, 2016June 8, 2016 / livelycravings / Leave a comment

You can eat this salad anytime of the year but for me it’s a summer thing. I bring this salad with us on our adventures. It’s perfect for a picnic and it sustains us for our activities. I hope this summer we will have lots of amazing memories. The best activity for me is camping with my kids. We usually have no cell reception so that means no distractions. I can focus on what really matters and that is to have fun with my kids.

Follow your cravings with quinoa salad because it can be made so many ways. I make it with the ingredients below most of the time because the kids eat it with no complaints. I make the quinoa earlier and it’s there for me when I need it. Those crazy days when I can’t keep up; I just add some ingredients that I have on hand and boom I have a meal. I leave out the beans if I’m serving it as a side dish. One batch makes a lot so just half the recipe if you are not serving a lot of people. Ingredients for Quinoa Salad

Salad Ingredients:

Quinoa (cooked according to the instructions on the package and cooled in fridge)

Half a Red or yellow Pepper

Half an Orange Pepper

Cucumbers

Avocado

Cherry tomatoes

Green Onion

Beans such as Black beans, Bean Mixed or Chickpeas. 1 small can, drain and rinse.

Fresh herbs, optional

Dressing:

Olive Oil, 2 TB

Half a Lemon or Lime juice, 2 TB

soy sauce or soy sauce alternative like tamari, 2 tsp.

Chili Powder, 1 tsp.

Garlic Powder, 1 tsp.

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Make quinoa earlier in the day or previous evening and cool in the fridge. Dice up vegetables using more of what you like or ingredients you have on hand. In a large bowl mix the dressing, add olive oil, lime juice, soy sauce or Tamari, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add half of the quinoa, all the vegetables and mix well. Add remaining quinoa and beans if using. Stir until combined and store the salad in a container and refrigerate. Serve cold.

Peace, Love and Eat!

BBQ Stuffed Avocados

May 27, 2016 / livelycravings / 1 Comment

Avocado on the BBQ is a treat. I have to admit I’m afraid I will blow my self up when using the BBQ but it’s worth a try. I was following my cravings and got to thinking about a deconstructed guacamole, all the ingredients of guacamole but stuffed in half of an avocado and cooked on the BBQ. Ingredients straight from the garden, maybe. The filling is also good on burgers or as a dip because not everyone likes avocado. I do like having a vegetarian option and this is a good one. The cheese melts and holds everything together. The options are endless. I hope you follow your cravings and have a great BBQ.

Vegetarian Filling:

Tomato diced

Basil leaves diced or try another herb, for example, cilantro or parsley

Green onions diced

Mushrooms diced

Garlic minced

jalapeño minced, optional

Salt and Pepper

Tempe or tofu optional

bocconcini cheese, cut in small 1/4″ cubes or replace with vegan cheese

Sausage filling:

Tomato diced

Basil leaves diced or another herb, for example, cilantro or parsley

Green onions diced

Mushroom diced

Garlic minced

jalapeño minced, optional

Salt and Pepper

Sausage meat, (italian style)

Bocconcini cut into 1/4″ cubes

Tuna Filling:

Tuna canned

Tomato diced

Basil or Dill diced or another herb, for example, cilantro or parsley

Green onions diced

Lemon or lime juice (not to much)

Salt and Pepper

Prepare ingredients and gently mix together all into a bowl. Cut the avocados in half and scoop out the large seed. After removing the seed, scoop a bit of the avocado flesh if there is not enough room to add your filing in the centre of the avocado.

Other Options:

Try adding olives, capers or bacon.

Cooking:

Place on BBQ medium heat and cook until done about 30 minutes. The cooking times will vary according to the size of your avocado, the amount of stuffing and the BBQ temperature.

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Oven Baking:

Place on a cookie sheet and cook in an oven at 375.

Life is so busy but I hope you can make time for cooking! Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom! Peace and love!