Zucchini Linguine with Pesto

Good Morning, friends!  I'm still here, waiting on baby, who is officially due in less than 2 weeks!  I feel like a walking, ticking time bomb!  (Remember this labor-inducing salad dressing?  Carson had it shipped here, and I will be drinking it out of the bottle tonight.)  But no complaints here (hahahahahaha funny) - I'm feeling good and only slightly upset that I gained 3 pounds in one week due to this chocolate cake, most likely.  So in an effort to eat more green things and less butter, I made this Zucchini Pasta the other day and it was delicious.  

  

There's a quaint little market in my town that actually sells this zucchini pre-sliced in noodle form.  But if you can't find them pre-made, here's an article on how to make them yourself.  It seems pretty easy!  And turning the vegetable into a delicious dish is even easier, and takes only minutes.  I served mine lightly sautéed in a pesto sauce, but a marinara would be great or even just olive oil, salt and pepper.  I'm not claiming this tricks your taste buds into thinking you're devouring pasta, but it might trick your children's eyes?  And regardless, it was a perfect, yummy side.      

Zucchini Linguine with Pesto

Serves 4

Printable Recipe

1 lb. zucchini noodles

1/3 cup pesto sauce

Salt and pepper

Parmesan (optional)

Heat up the pesto sauce in a large skillet over medium heat until warmed.  Add zucchini and toss, sautéing for 3-4 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, and serve with sprinkled Parmesan cheese.

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Healthy V-Day Treats

I've already introduced you to my sister-in-law Jessica's blog, One Hungry Yogi, but now let me introduce you to my sister Georgia's new blog, Inspired Spoons (you've met her before, by the way). Georgia is a junior at Syracuse studying Nutrition and Dietetics.  I had no idea how to spell that word, by the way, but I SWEAR we're related.  She is my youngest sister, and probably a thousand times smarter (and healthier) than me.  Check out her blog, like her on Facebook and follow her on Instagram - her food is truly beautiful and inspiring!  In case you're not convinced, here are some Valentine's Day treats from both Jessica and Georgia... you're welcome. 

Raw Strawberry Tart ~ One Hungry Yogi

Strawberry Banana Cashew "Nice Cream" ~ Inspired Spoons

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Review: Dr. Praeger's

I was recently sent some products from Dr. Praeger's, a line of nutritious, all-natural frozen foods that the whole family will enjoy!  It sounds like they told me to write that but they didn't, honestly.  My whole family has become addicted to their broccoli, sweet potato and spinach nuggets.  Which is not an easy feat, by the way, considering my son won't touch a green vegetable (other than frozen peas).  The other night he asked for 15 broccoli nuggets.  And, like I said, you will enjoy them too.  You can tell that they're fresh, almost like you made them yourself.  Look for them the next time you're out!

And stay tuned for a homemade meal later on today...    

**Quick note: earth to Julie who won the Cake Stand Giveaway, if I don't hear from you over the weekend I am going to pick another winner so please email me soon : )

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One Hungry Yogi

You don't read words like "raw" or "vegan" or "gluten-free" on this blog very often because, well, I don't type those words very often.  It's not that I don't enjoy following a (somewhat) healthy lifestyle (moderation people) it's just that I really enjoy butter and bacon.  That said, I've had readers contact me, asking for vegan ideas or gluten-free ideas and while I do that from time to time, I want to point you in the direction of someone that does that ALL the time.  My future sister-in-law!  She just launched a blog called One Hungry Yogi that chronicles her experiences as a yoga instructor and lover of creating healthy food.  That ice cream above?  RAW.  Frozen banana, cocoa powder and coconut milk.  She even made a chocolate tart the other day out of avocado and sweet potato.  Genius!  Check out the site.

I am so excited for my brother to marry this woman : )  

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Whole Wheat Soft Pretzel Bites

You would think after the debacle I experienced last time I volunteered to bake snacks for Jack's preschool, I'd be over doing it again.  But you can fool me once, or twice, and never again, as George W said, I think.  What I'm trying to say is... I don't learn from my mistakes!  No, I kid, this time it was actually a leisurely, enjoyable experience.  And I found a new recipe that I will absolutely try again!  Very healthy (I subbed whole wheat flour for all-purpose) and allergy friendly (dairy-free).  Great dipped in peanut butter (or soy butter if you have a nut allergy).  I doubled the recipe and it made A TON.  Plenty to feed a schoolyard of crazy kids.  I'm never there when the kids enjoy snack time, but I'd like to imagine the table chatter goes something like this:

Kid:  What a delicious and healthy snack for my tummy.  Who MADE these?
Jack:  MY MOM.  The BEST mom in the whole wide world.
Kid:  Wow.  You should totally bring her home a medal or at least a candy bar or some new shoes.      

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Mini Vegan Banana Muffins

Do you believe in the universe trying to tell you something?  Listen to my story...

Once Upon A Time, I agreed to bake 100 mini muffins for Jack's preschool snack.  There are roughly 80 kids, and some like seconds.  In true Siri fashion, I left this project to the very last minute (like every term paper in college), and had planned to bake after my kids fell asleep last night.  Promptly, at bedtime, the power went out.  Carson was at work, Jack was freaking out, and I looked like this...

  

What, you don't keep a headband flashlight on your nightstand like Carson does?  p.s. What are those four freaky dots coming out of my neck???  I look like I'm waiting for my spaceship.  Anyway, I wake up at 2am to a screaming baby I'm attempting to sleep train, and it's still black outside.  I start to panic.  I begin to imagine 80 kids coming at me like walking zombies, begging for their snack.  I cannot let this happen.  And then, at 3am, the power comes back on!  I dance in bed!  I set my alarm for 5am.  Oh, and the baby wakes up two more times.  

So it's early, and I'm drinking a pot of coffee.  I start to make Mini Vegan Banana Muffins using this bread recipe (which I doubled, cooking the muffins for 13 minutes) because a few of the kids are allergic to dairy and nuts.  I decide to look at the allergy list one more time and I see one little girl who is allergic to cinnamon.  I have already put cinnamon in the batter.  I THROW THE BATTER AWAY and thoroughly scrub everything to remove any cinnamon residue.  I curse cinnamon allergies.  I drink more coffee.  I begin again.  I'm about to pour the soy milk in only I look, and I see that I didn't buy soy milk - I bought almond milk.  Almond milk, for kids with severe nut allergies.  CURSE EVERYTHING!!!!!!  I google "alternatives to almond milk" and google tells me "soy milk" thanks for NOTHING GOOGLE.  So I use water in place of milk.  I think these muffins are going to taste like rat poison and all the kids will make up mean songs about Jack D's Mommy.  I plug along anyway...

Guess what?  They were freaking delicious.  Like, really, really good.  Oh and I added dairy free chocolate chips because I want all the kids to make up nice songs about Jack D's Mommy.  

I think the lesson here, that the Universe is trying to teach me, is to quit trying to be Super Mom.  It's okay that I shower rarely and brush my hair even less and drop off my son at school wearing the same outfit everyday and eat chocolate chips every night by the handful.  It's okay!  It's okay.  It's okay? 

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