Dairy-Free Polenta Lasagna

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday was a great day... started off with the pancakes, then lunch was a HUGE salad..

Romaine, broccoli, carrots, corn, black beans, 2 slices of turkey, red pepper flakes, italian dressing, and a dusting of nutritional yeast... yum yum yum

Once The Boy got home from work, we took Stanley to the park to release some of that crazy dog energy!

I spent the better part of the day creating a recipe (will follow)... Dairy-Free Polenta Lasagna

I started off with making the Polenta

As it was thickening up, I added in some dried basil and garlic powder... stir, stir, stir

Once the polenta is THICK (~15 min), pour & spread in an oiled dish to firm up (~10 min)..

As the polenta is firming, caramelize some chopped onions & brown ground turkey (or meat substitute). Add in a little garlic salt.. & then combine the onions & turkey

The polenta should be firm by now... turn the dish upside down on to a plate to continue the cooldown.

Julienne (or cut up) some veggies that are in the fridge & saute.  I used zucchini, carrots & cabbage...

Cut the polenta in half, lengthwise, in order to begin the layering process...

(pic won't turn... hmmm...)

You get the idea.

I cut the polenta, spread some tomato sauce on top, added tomato sauce to the meat & onion mixture (simmer)... then LAYERRR

I layered polenta, veggies, meat, polenta, veggies meat....

Then cook at 350 for 20 mins (covered)... then uncover & cook an additional 10. Voila!

(I added some nutritional yeast for the cheesy taste...)

ENJOY!!

Polenta Lasagna

.5c of Polenta

1.5c water

.5t basil

.5t garlic

.5 tsp salt

10 oz. turkey

.5 onion

1 zucchini

1 carrot

cabbage

tomato sauce

red pepper flakes (to taste)

1. Cook polenta, add in basil, garlic, salt (stir, shape, cool)

2. Brown turkey

3. Caramelize onions

4. Combine turkey and onions

5. Julienne zucchini, carrots & chop cabbage

6. Cook veggies

7. Heat tomato sauce & add in turkey mixture, red pepper flakes, dash basil

8. Cut polenta in half to layer...

9. Layer polenta, veggies, meat, repeat

10. Cook 350 for 20 mins covered then 10 mins uncovered..

11. Dust with nutritional yeast!

12. ENJOY!

I am off to purchase an ice cream maker... recipes to come for sure!

Love, Haley

Protein Pancake Palooza

Yes, you heard me right... or is it read me right?

I made Gina's Protein Pancakes this morning... successfully!

A little background regarding my breakfasts....

• Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.
• I have a breakfast "routine" that got me into trouble back during my ED days...
• I read the paper, drink coffee, and tend to fall into a ritual of eating the SAME THING everyday...

Therefore, I have set a goal for myself to try a new breakfast everyday.  I am only allowed to repeat a breakfast every 3 days.  So, I started with a smoothie (my recent ritual), then I had May's french toast oats, then french toast, repeat smoothie... and now Protein Pancakes!!

I followed the recipe almost exactly... except I only used 1 scoop of protein & I didn't have nutmeg...

Mix the dry...

Add the wet...

Then cook 'em up!

The finished product came out a little strange........

I attempted to organize the cakes into a smiley face because they were shaped very awkwardly!  I topped them with syrup & a dash of salt (I love me some sweet-n-salty)..

Mmmm mmm good!

Now on to yoga...

I did CorePower Hot Fusion Yoga this morning... Again, this is day 2 of my hot yoga venture.. Again, I thought it was SOOO detoxifying.  I left the studio even more drenched than yesterday.  There were not a dry spot on my clothes.  Nasty, I know... However, it felt so wonderful.  I think of the sweat as negativity leaving my body.  I focus on the fact that when I breathe in, I am allowing positive thoughts in...

Although I have done this now for only 2 days, I feel more aware of my body & my mind.  I need this in my life.  I struggle with my ED and negative thoughts daily; yoga is bringing me back to center.  I thank my body for being able to stretch, bend, and for allowing me to do the practice of yoga.  

I know I am rambling, but I thoroughly enjoyed the session this morning.  I went in with an intention of releasing stress and I accomplished this.

Namaste,

Haley

wannabe "chopped" contestant

I tend to make random posts here on this blog... I spend more time reading others' & enjoy trying new recipes & workouts... However, today I had to make a post.  Yes, I HAD to... according to the Boy.

Before my boyfriend left for work this morning, I asked him, "What should we have for dinner?"  He reply was chicken & broccoli.  I thought, "Hmm.. Okay. BORING!"  I took this as a challenge....

After my first heated yoga experience at CorePower Yoga (which I loved more than the gym.. but shhh, don't let 24hour know that), I returned home to a Yum-O Chia StrawBanana Smoothie.  Then, I took to the kitchen to snoop around.

Whilst my search was going on, I stumbled upon some Laughing Cow.. I thought to myself (like the guy in the Windows 7 shower commercial), "I could stuff some chicken with a broccoli/cheese mixture."

I immediately steamed some broc, took out my food processor, chopped up the broccoli, cheese (I used 3), salt, peppa, & red pepper flakes.  Let me just tell you, it smelled delish.

Once the chicken breasts were thawed, I pounded them out to ~1/3 inch & dusted salt, peppa, and cumin on top.  I flipped the puppies over & spread some of the broc/queso mixture, rolled the chix, and toothpicked 'em up.

I made 4 small chix in a square Pyrex, poured some chicken broth in the dish, and cooked them (covered) for 30 min at 350... uncover and cook another 10.

I made the dish as a surprise for the boy.  He came home & inhaled his pieces.  He immediately said, "You need to publish this on the internet.  Ya know, the recipe place."  I knew he meant my blog/in the blog world...

Needless to say, here I am... posting the recipe.  I recommend you make it.. it was YUM-O!

Love, Haley

Terrific Thursday

Don't you just love waking up and smiling?  That is how I started my day... I am not sure why, but I woke up feeling great!  I guess I won't think too much into it & just accept it.

I went to the gym this morning and did my regular routine of 30 minutes of cardio (chose the elliptical and the rotating stepper from you know where this morning).  Then, I made my way upstairs to do some upper body work.

At the gym near my house, there are hardly ever any women at the free weight area.  Why is it that girls (most of the time) are so shy or intimidated by the free weights?  I know there are men working out nearby, but why waste time on the machines?  To me, free weights provide a much better workout.  According to active.com, a combination is best.  I can understand this.  I guess I just enjoy doing squats, lunges, and other types of exercise for my lower body.

ANYWAYS... I then came home and had a delicious smoothie (pics to come).  My Staple Smoothie consists of:

1. Slightly less than 1 cup almond milk
2. 1.5 cups frozen berries
3. 1 T chia
4. 1 scoop of Pure Protein powder
5. Small banana
6. Half-cup of Fiber One

First I mix the milk, chia, and protein so the chia can do their thang.. Then, I blend it up in my Kitchen Aid blender (that is, of course, pink).. Then, I ENJOY!

Well, I have a long day ahead of me.  My mom and I are beginning my move to SAN DIEGO!  I am thrilled to see the BF because it has been THREE WEEKS... 

Have a fabulous day... 

<3, Haley

"clean out the fridge" din-din

Good evening!  I hope you all had a terrific hump-day.  Does anyone else find it weird to say that?  Maybe I am just immature....

I am off to San Diego tomorrow because I have an interview on Friday (fingers crossed!!!) morning.  Since I will be gone Thurs-Sunday, it was time to rid my fridge of all of the veggies.  Therefore, I came up with Scrambled Tofu & Chick Pea Stuffed Peppers.  They were fab!

Along with the peppers (there were 2), I had some roasted veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions & a crunchy salad (only iceberg left) with some broccoli, onions, cukes, nutritional yeast, and red pepper flakes,

Delish... Now my belly is full and I am looking forward to Modern Family tonight.  The show is simply genius.  If you have not seen it yet, I highly suggest you do...

On the list for tomorrow::: gym, work, and then 200 miles to San Diego.  My bf is there waiting for me <3 in our new apartment.  Lucky for him, I am bringing a couch.  Let's hope it will not look like a bachelor pad.  If it does, it will not for long because I will be down there in a month!

Sweet dreams...

Dear Body

Inspired by Melissa, I wrote some choice words to my body...

Dear Body,

I have spent years in agony because of the many things Ed has told me.  Ed tells me on a daily basis that I should not love you, that I should not accept you, that I need to change you.  Ed says that if I change you, I will be happy.  If I change you, I will be loved and accepted by all.

Ed is wrong.  I know he is.  I wake up each morning and worry about what I will eat..or will not eat.  I am sorry for putting you through the pain the past few years.  I have failed to give you the minerals and vitamins you need; I have not listened to you when you try to tell me you are exhausted; I often ignore the sounds of starvation or feelings of soreness.

You deserve better than the life I am giving you.  You deserve nourishment, happiness, love... It is each day you allow me to laugh with my friends, hug my boyfriend, call my family, and do all of the wonderful things I choose to do.  Food is not our enemy.  Food is for life.  Body, I am writing to you to promise to try my best to accept you for who you are.  You and I only have one life here.. It is too short to be unhappy with you.

Please forgive me.  Please know that I love you and appreciate you for giving me life.  I am blessed to be able to wake up each day, laugh, smile, walk, talk... I have many people that love me.  They do not love me for you (my body).  The people who love me--love me for ME.

So, hang in there.. I am trying my best to realize just how fabulous you and I are...

Love, Haley

i'm baaaaaaaaaack!

So, it has been 4 months-ish since I have posted.  I started out on here all excited, then I lost focus...

During my hiatus (if you can even call it that because I never really started), I have kept up with the food blog world.  It is interesting to read up on the lives of other fabulous women each day... It makes you feel like you actually know them... You know about their goals, what happens during their day, what they eat, etc.  I don't even know what my boyfriend eats everyday!

I am currently preparing to move to San Diego, CA.  I live in Ventura (hour north of Los Angeles) but I am making the move to where my boyfriend was transferred a year ago.  We got our own apartment and I can't wait to move in with him.  I am stuck in Ventura until mid-June.  This is when the school year is over... By the way, I am a teacher =)

It will take me a little bit to get this whole site organized, but I look forward to updating as regular as possible.. I feel it will give me an "out" when I need one (or not)!

Stay tuned..........