Trick or treat!

What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of October..

Halloween in Hoboken is a blast, even with no kids!  I met up with my friend Joy, watched the parade, and tagged along as her children enjoyed trick or treating.  Everyone was smiling...except these two..eek!

My neighbors really got into the spirit! It was so fun!  Great candy, creative costumes, fog machines and everything. 

I even had some adorable little ghosts and goblins at my door, as I poured myself a pumpkin ale. 

Joe found this ale over the weekend.  It was mentioned on the William Sonoma Blog, and it's delicious.  (I'm so glad I'm not the only one reading blogs in this house.)

I decided to put out some appetizers while reheating leftovers for dinner.  After all, it is a holiday. 

Sweet potato and beet chips...I had to limit myself to this small bowl, but could have easily devoured the entire bag!  These are so good...and they go with today's color scheme...orange! 

After dinner, relaxed on the couch and enjoyed a few more treats.

Healthy Hoboken Girl is having quite a night!  That's it, I'm done, put a fork in me!!

Until tomorrow morning, the party continues with whole wheat zucchini muffins! 

(the recipe for these muffins can be found on this blog, in an older post titled 'All smiles for Zucchini Muffins')  Still working on posting all my recipes...thanks for the patience.

Happy Halloween everyone...hope you all had a fun night! 

Fall Colors

Fall colors make me think of warm and hearty comfort foods. 

 This week I made homemade chicken soup in the crock pot.  It was great, super easy and made my house smell wonderful. 
The recipe came from my blogger friend, Erin at The Grass Skirt Blog.  She has a beautiful blog, and gives some great recipes and ideas for busy week night meals. 

I also had the pleasure of visiting Abma's Farm Market, in Wyckoff, NJ. 

A truely special place to go this time of year.  They have a wonderful market and bakery.     

If you live in New Jersey, you have to go to Abma's Farm!!

 

Lots of halloween gourds, pumpkins and mums.

 

and a health barn....I love it!??

 

locally grown carrots

and beautiful beets

 

And tons of apples, cider and yes, apple cider donuts.  I think of was so excited taking shots of the veggies, I forgot to shoot the apples...oops!!

I hope all of you are enjoying the weekend so far...

We have a halloween party this afternoon, and then we're carving pumpkins tonight with friends!!

Happy Halloween everyone...be safe & fill up on real food, fruits and veggies before your hand goes into the candy bowl. 

Your body will thank you...

Pumpkin Muffin Top

Good morning all! This is type of muffin top I love. 

I was craving a warm breakfast today, so I made pumpkin oat bran in under two minutes. 

Over the weekend, I made some whole wheat pumpkin muffins...they were a huge fail.  Wahhh!!

They look great...but were very dry. 

Not the pumpkin muffin I was hoping for,  so I'm trying not to waste all of them.  I've toasted some...that tasted great!  Then this morning I added a muffin top to my oat bran.  

The mix: oat bran cereal, water, 1/2 banana, chia seeds, cinnamon & pumpkin muffin top. 

This was a fast, easy breakfast that will stick with me throughout the morning.  After a beautiful and busy weekend, (more to post on that later) I have a full day. 

I wish all of you a great week.  This is my favorite time of year, lots of pumpkin treats and my birthday! I'll keep working on my muffin recipe, and post a good one.  Until then, I leave you with a quote. 

'The world is always reflecting the energy you're putting out.'

What energy are you bringing into your spaces today?

Smile, have a great day and stay positive!

Kitchen Kraziness

Thursdays always put a smile on my face!  Early morning, I share a healthy recipe with my workout ladies.  Today was Cherry Chocolate Nut Balls...amazing!  A big hit!  Thank you Susan for the extra tough workout this morning...I'm feeling the soreness in my legs already!! Ouch!

Then, once my teaching is done, I usually spend some time in my kitchen, testing recipes or preparing food for the weekend. 

This seems to be the week of cooking contests, because I was preparing for this Friday night's Lasagna Cook Off,  sponsored by a local church here in Hoboken, until I found out it was cancelled...wahhh!!! 

I found out it was cancelled...wait for it..yes, half way through cooking the darn thing!! Ugh!! That's alright, I'll consider this one a trial run, and work on perfecting my Roasted Vegetable Lasagna.   Anyone want to host a party, I'm ready?!?!

I roasted some eggplant, red peppers, red onion, garlic and then, while the pan was hot from roasting, I just added some fresh spinach and stirred to combine.  

So here's what I'm thinking...a healthier version of your grandmother's style lasagna.  Still creamy, cheesy and delicious, but swapping out some of the usual white pasta, beef and sausage.  (Sorry guys, I know they're your favorites!)

Instead using 100% whole wheat pasta noodles, lots of roasted vegetables and local Fiore's Mozzarella (it's the best cheese in town). 

That cute little pumpkin keeps sneaking into the photo shoot!!

Another little snack for the chef...keeps me moving in the kitchen. 

And ta-da....hours later..cheesy goodness! 

Now thankfully, the sink full of dishes are done, and everything is put away. 

I can stare lovingly at my creation. I know what you're thinking, all my vegan friends, I'm trying to lay off the cheese, but it's so good!!

 Next up, chocolate pumpkin bread.  What are you cooking these days? 

Happy Weekend!

An Apple 'Crisp' a Day Keeps Me Full!

Oops...my belly hurts from going a little overboard on tonight's apple crisp trial, and eating a few too many spoonfuls...while perfecting a recipe for the Attune Foods October Cooking Challenge. 

I hate trying to go to sleep on a full belly, it's so uncomfortable, but the apple crisp tasted so good.  It was all warm and cinnamony, the apples were very tender and sweet, it was a party in my mouth! 

Ok, cereal lovers here we go...after many attempts in the kitchen, here's my Attune Foods Apple Crisp Recipe.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, just try it well before bedtime, and you should be all set. 

Lynda's Erewhon Cereal Apple Crisp

Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

6-7 apples (3 granny smith & 3/4 macoun) or whatever apples you enjoy using to bake.
juice of one small lemon
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons butter or vegan butter
Cooking spray

topping:

2 cups of Erewhon Brown Rice Cereal (divided)
    1 cup processed in the food processor or blender to a fine powder & 1 cup regular cereal
1 cup of raw old fashioned oats (divided)
    1/2 cup processed with the cereal & 1/2 cup regular oats
1/4 cup oat flour (or any other flour you have)
3 tablespoons of raw sugar or brown sugar
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 egg
4 tablespoons of melted butter or butter-like spread

1.  Start by making the topping, using a medium size mixing bowl and food processor. Combine 1/2 cup dry oats and 1 cup of cereal, oat flour, cinnamon and raw sugar into bowl.  Add remaining 1/2 cup oats and 1 cup cereal into the food processor or blender and pulse until mixture is a fine powder. 

2.  Add the oat and cereal mixture to the mixing bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. 

3.  Prepare a small baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray. 

4.  Cut the apples into bite size chunks, (I left the skin on the apple, but if you prefer to peel them, go for it) and add to the prepared baking dish. 
       Toss with cinnamon and lemon juice, until all apples are coated. 
       Drizzle with honey and dot the butter on top.  Set aside. 

5.  Back to the topping.  Using a small bowl, melt the butter, in the microwave
            for about 30 seconds, watching carefully. 
           Add that to the flour mixture bowl and then add the egg. 

6.  Stir until combined, this mixture should be wet and smell delicious. 

7.  Place the crumb mixture on top of the apples, spreading out evenly. 
       Sprinkle with addition cinnamon or honey to your liking. 

8.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-35 minutes, depending on your oven. 
      Topping should be golden brown, crispy, crunchy and apples bubbling! 

This is the tough part, waiting for it to cool down so you can dive into all that warm cinnamony goodness!

 

Thanks Attune Foods, for letting me make multiple, delicious apple crisps with crunchy, healthy toppings.  Here's to Attune Foods and Apple Crisp Season!!

Happy Fall everyone!!

All statements about Attune Foods, its products, or the Cooking Challenges Recipe Contest are my own.  This post is part of-and made as a condition to- my entry in the
Attune Foods Cooking Challenges Recipe Contest. 

Ants in my Pants

Fridays...are so cool.  The start of the weekend and Zumba class!  If you haven't taken a Zumba class, it's like cheerleading camp meets a latin dance party!  I sweat up a storm, so I consider it a workout...but it's really just cool and fun!  I never look at the clock, I smile and laugh at myself, I've met so many nice, new dancing friends, and the positive energy on Friday is contagious.  Everyone is hooting and hollering, having a great time, and our teacher...Jeanine is such a rock star.  She is so positive and she can dance like no other.  A very talented, beautiful, strong women.

source

Today was very productive, it feels great to finish work and wrap up the week, with some fun exercise and try out some seasonal home cooking.


I tested a recipe for the Attune Foods Cooking Contest...October Challenge.  More to come on that next week.

Made a roasted vegetable and lentil soup, from my friends over at 

the Sisters Running the Kitchen blog. 

 Check out their blog for the recipe, and lots of other wonderful ideas.  Thanks Mary and Christina, what a great, hearty, fall soup.  It filled me up and tasted delicious. 

While I cook I usually have the radio on. I find it really relaxing to listen to music, sing and cook at the same time.  Especially after my Zumba class...I usually have leftover ants in my pants from shakin' it about.  So my cooking goes a lot faster because I've got my groove on, and I can't wipe the smile off my face.  Now that all this is done, and the dishes are clean, my weekend can begin. 


I hope all of you can find your groove this weekend and enjoy yourself.  Don't be afraid to shake it up in the kitchen, if you know what I mean. 


'Dancing faces you towards Heaven, whichever direction you turn.'

                                                                         -Sweetpea Tyler

'Kneading' Therapy

There's just something about working with your hands, that can be very soothing.  I found that to be true yesterday, as I kneaded some soft, homemade pretzel dough.  I've been meaning to try this recipe for quite some time, and Saturday afternoon was perfect. 

We sort of made it into a mini Oktoberfest...with pretzels and beers! 

The ingredients were very simple...just wheat flour, yeast, water, salt and honey.  

Mixing all the ingredients together, until a dough forms.  This was the best part!  Kneading the warm, soft dough in my hands felt very calming and peaceful.  I remembered why I love to be in the kitchen creating healthy food.  Turning and pushing down the dough with my hands, feeling the satisfaction of creating something from simple ingredients.  Thinking about my life, forgetting about any worries, and feeling proud of myself for taking the time to do something that makes me happy.

While I was kneading, looking at my hands, I can remember parts of my Mother's hands, and can see part of her hands in mine.  It's the coolest thing, but can also feel bittersweet, because I miss her.  It's so hard to lose someone that you love so much.  However, seeing part of her is a nice reminder that she is a part of me, and is never too far away.

I got through the five minutes of kneading, remembering Mom, and smiling about our many good times in the kitchen together, then....

I covered up the dough, and let it rest for ten minutes...good night!

 After ten minutes, I got some frustration out by punching down the dough, and cutting it into pretzel strips. 

Cracked open some beers...

Shaped the dough strips into pretzel shape, brushed with egg wash and sprinkled course sea salt on top. Patiently waited until cooked...only 15 minutes.

And TA-DA!!! Pretzel Time!!

We were so excited to try these suckers, that I toasted glasses with Joe, put my beer on the table, and then by accident knocked my pint all over the floor!!  It smelled like a frat house, and honestly it was my first sip...you would have thought I had a few drinks, then knocked it over.  We started to laugh so hard, as we were on our knees cleaning up beer, just trying to enjoy our hot and toasty pretzels.

It was just the sort of therapy that I needed...laughter, a new beer, and soft salty homemade pretzels!  A perfect Saturday afternoon.  Happy Oktoberfest everyone..hope yours is filled with beer,belly laughs, and fond memories of people you love!!

 Recipe will be added to my recipe page this week.  This one would be great to try with young children...minus the beer of course!  They would love to play with the dough, and it comes together in minutes.

Cash Challenge Part II

Ok folks...I'm more than surviving...I have five dollars and change and today is Friday!! Boo-yah!!  And there is still more food to be eaten.  Thanks for all your comments and support, it's wonderful to hear your feedback. 

I got a sweet surprise in the mail today, Joe received this free drink card, from Starbucks.  I think I'll be treating myself as a reward for all my efforts, he won't miss it.

This week has gone really well, it was fun carrying my cash, and keeping a closer eye on my spending. 

I discovered some old new things in my freezer, that I haven't looked at in quite some time. 

And my pantry and I got ourselves reacquainted.  What's going on in there, oh yeah look what I found....more food??!!

It made me focus on what we have, and how to be creative with leftovers.  And also to work through my fruit bowl. 

I even bagged up my ingredients for my morning smoothies, so I was drinking my goddess smoothie even faster in the morning.  It was great to be so prepared and organized, but it also allowed me to use up all of my greens in the vegetable bin...no waste!  That was my mission.

The other night, dinner was made really fast.  Turkey burgers (actually mini meatballs), green beans and sweet potato fries.  I only had to buy the sweet potatoes, all the rest was from the fridge or freezer.  *Notice the english muffin bun..I thought you did!!

I ate some fries before snapping this photo..that looks a little sad.  I can't get enough sweet potato!!

I hope this week has inspired you to take your own cash challenge.  I know I'll be trying it again soon. It was a wonderful reminder for me to pause and remember how very lucky and blessed I am to have so much food at my fingertips.

'Now is no time to think of what we do not have.  Think of what we can do with what there is.'
                                                                    -Ernest Hemingway