How Does Your Garden Grow?

I just came across this great site to help plan and maintain your garden:  Sprout Robot (sproutrobot.com)

You simply type in your zip code and they will tell you how and when to plant the food you want to grow!  It is free to join and receive email notifications, or you can sign up for a fee to have seeds sent to you when their season comes around.

You can also specify Patio Garden, Small Garden, or Family Garden as well as either container or plant bed things to grow.

Give it a try!

Healthy Living

So, I need to come clean, I sent back the P.I.N.K. Method kit today - the very last day I could on their 30-day money back guarantee.  Seeing as how I have actually GAINED a pound in the last four days, I think it is best I go back to what has worked for me in the past.

I need to get back to Bikram Yoga classes, I need to eat a more plant-based diet with no refined sugars and more whole grains.  I need to do my "aerobic with weights" workouts, and I need to love my curves.

The P.I.N.K. Method was just too much, and not enough for me.  The workouts were too much and the recipes were not enough.  I think that if you are younger than 45, and have less than 30 pounds to lose, this could be a great product for you.  I just felt that even the Phase 1 workouts were much too optimistic for the shape I am starting out in, and the amount of weight I need to lose.

I will continue to eat a lean protein, whole grain diet with lots of fresh vegetables, but I am tired of being hungry and tired of not feeling good about myself during the workouts.

If you are on this program and are having success, let me know and I'll spread the word!

PINK Food

So now that I am on the PINK Primary phase of the P.I.N.K. Method diet, I can have 1/2 cup of whole grain at dinner time.  I'm not going to lie, I have been STARVING on this diet, so the added carbs really help to curb those hunger pains in the evening.

I have made this dish twice now, and really like it.  Even if you aren't on the PINK Method, it is a pretty good low-cal, low-fat, plant-based dinner.

Broccoli and Cauliflower with Lentils and Quinoa

3 tbsp uncooked quinoa
1/4 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 cup cooked lentils
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 cups fresh cauliflower florets

Dressing:
2 scallions thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp chili garlic sauce

Place the quinoa in a medium stock pot with 1/2 cup of water and seasoning salt.  Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Add the lentils to the stock pot, along with the broccoli and cauliflower florets.  Cover and bring heat to medium.  Allow the cauliflower and broccoli to steam until tender and almost all water has been absorbed, about 8 minutes.

While the vegetables are steaming, mix the dressing in a small bowl.  Pour quinoa mixture into a bowl and top with dressing.  Easy!

I have also added mushrooms to the mix and enjoyed it a lot.

Quick and Easy (even Healthy) Soup

One of the reasons I decided to start the P.I.N.K. Method diet, is that it utilizes an expensive piece of kitchen equipment that I already own: a VitaMix.

I have to say, one of my most favorite soups is something that I came up with when I had very little in my fridge and pantry - and it only uses two ingredients!

Super Simple Cauliflower Soup

1 head of cauliflower, broken into florets and roughly chopped
Swanson low sodium chicken broth

Simply put the chopped cauliflower into a pot and add enough broth to cover.  Boil for 10 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender.  Transfer to VitaMix (food processor or blender) and whirl away! (Be careful when creaming hot liquids - they can give a nasty burn.)

Sometimes I put a dollop of low-fat yogurt just to give it a bit of acid, but not necessary.

I have tried other brands of chicken stock, but I like the flavor of Swanson in this recipe.  I have also tried it with broccoli, and while it is OK, the cauliflower is much tastier to me. You could even use vegetable broth for a vegan option.

Hope enjoy!

Favorite Low-Cal Treat

Love this combination.  Make the Jello according to package instructions, substituting Hansen's Diet Ginger Ale for 12 ounces cold water.