Acorn squash?? Don't mind if I do!!

I have heard about acorn squash - primarily from vegan friends of mine that swear by it.  So in my usual search in the produce department for something different (as a new vegetarian I don't want to get bored with the same ole same ole) - I found an acorn squash. I googled recipes and there are lots of sweet recipes where they are prepared in a similar fashion to sweet potatoes, but I wanted to try it in a more savory way.. so here is what I did to prepare it:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and then I cut squash in half:

Then scoop out the seeds and set aside to roast later:

Then I put the halves in a roasting pan (to keep them upright during baking) and drop a generous amount of coconut oil in the centers of both.  Be sure to put about 1/2 inch of water in the roaster as well:

Bake squash for an hour to an hour and a half (depending on your desired doneness), remove from oven, put in  bowl (keeps it from rolling around), add garlic-salt-pepper-and tiny bit of REAL butter, get a fork, and dig in!

It was really good, has a mild flavor and I can see the sweet versions of this dish being very good.  I have seen them put maple syrup in the center instead of coconut oil and sprinkle with some cinnamon and/or brown sugar.  I don't know if this makes sense, but it's what I would call a "heavy" veggie - something that would be a good meat replacement.  I saw some recipes to stuff the center with things like rice and other veggies -I think that would be an interesting spin, and a more complete meal.  Being that the rest of my family are meat eaters - it would be an easy way to do one meal for all of us - stuff most of them with meat and rice and leaving some with just rice for me. 

Speaking of replacements!! I found a new pasta replacement that I just L-O-V-E love!! Zucchini spaghetti!! Granted - you can't eat it expecting it to taste just like pasta - bc you will find - it does not.  However, It is good, and has a mild enough flavor you can use it as you use pasta.  Here I used it with spaghetti sauce.  I bought this awesome julienne tool to do it:

When i did it I julienned the peels right in .. get all the vitamin goodness.. it's simple to do - carefully hold on to one end of your zucchini and run the tool along the length of the veggie slowly turning it as you hit seeds.. I tried to get as many "noodles" out of my zucchini as possible- without shredding my fingers in the process.. and be careful - you can cut your fingers with the tool.. I know first hand **ouch**. 

Then you pop a little coconut oil in the bottom of the pan and toss in the "noodles" to soften slightly and be heated thoroughly:

Once it's heated up (not too long or else it will be mushy) - toss in your favorite sauce and devour (like I did):

I recently tried another noodle sub - spaghetti squash - I didn't care for it as much, but I am willing to give it a second look - we had it with just some seasoning and butter.. I would like to try it with spaghetti sauce.. but that's another blog on another day.. 

Namaste y'all!!

Not Your Momma's Apple Pie

I started this blog after numerous request from friends to blog my food, recipes, etc.  I have always had a love affair with food.. back in the day it was of the private sinful-feeling type.  The type that I was ashamed of.  It got me up to a whopping 258lbs.  Long story short - I changed my life - one bite at a time... and one step at a time.  I started eating clean and working out.. I am now a runner and have done a couple 5k's so far.. with more planned this year.. and I am loving food in a a very open way :) I love to share pictures, recipes, and tips - and help others find a healthy joy in food again :)  I'm a new ovo lacto vegetarian (2 weeks free of meat yesterday) - so most of my recipes/shares will be in that vein.. although my family still eats meat so I will occasionally show those sorts of recipes/food as well ..

I shall open my new blog with a new healthy desert that just blew my mind - and it might blow yours too :)  This is what I call "Not Your Momma's Apple Pie".  I had been eating apples for a while now - especially heating them a little. and I had a brilliant idea while cooking up this double batch of homemade granola:

This is the recipe I use for my granola:  http://recipeforfitness.com/recipes/snacks/granola.html

So here's the 411:

1. slice up one pink lady apple (or apple of your choice)
2. put a teaspoon of coconut oil in a pan
3. put the pan on medium and drop in the apples
4. sprinkle generous amount of cinnamon (I used a little splenda too - that's your choice)
5. teaspoon of real butter  for flavoring
6. cook until apples are to desired doneness and put them in a bowl
7. drizzle the smallest amount of sugar free caramel over the apples
8. sprinkle 1/4 cup of granola over apples
9. DEVOUR!!

This is how it looked it when it was done.. OMG.. delicious!! It was like eating apple pie without the guilt.  With healthy treats who needs a cheat day!! Not this chica!!

Keep coming back for more foodie goodness!! Namaste y'all!!