Feelin' Nutty

Need a little bite to get you through the afternoon? 

I thought so...

Go ahead you can make these today.  
I added chia seeds and toasted coconut to mine..delicious!
 

Almond Butter Balls

Easy, no bake portable snack balls on the go….no guessing what ingredients are inside, you can read them all and feel good that they are made fresh.  This recipe is a nice base to start and make your own unique healthy nut balls.  The combinations are endless.  Filled with protein, heart healthy fats and fiber, these little snack bites will keep you going until your next meal, or perfect for after a workout.  Give them a try this week!

Prep time: 5 minutes   Cook time: 0 minutes   Yields: 12-15 mini balls

¼ cup of oats

¼ cup of oat flour

             (or whatever you have on hand..brown rice, spelt, whole wheat)

¼ cup granola

2 tablespoons of almond butter

1 tablespoon of agave nectar or honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

*additional mix in’s* toasted coconut, raisins, chia seeds, protein powder, flax seeds, carob chips, dark chocolate chips

1.  Combine and mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Use your hands its fun!

2.  Roll batter into balls (if it’s too sticky, you can a add a touch more flour)

3.  Place on a small cookie sheet and chill in the fridge for 25-30 minutes.  After chilled and hard, place balls in a small container in the fridge.  It will be ready for you anytime you need a healthy bite. 

Hope your week is going well. 

I found this adorable pink baby sock outside my apartment today, and thought

how cute...

I hope your pulling off your socks, wiggling your toes and embracing all the sunshine and spring air.

Be well. 

Honey Mustard

No, I'm not a big mustard fan....but so many people just love the stuff. 

I guess it's great on hot dogs, sandwiches, salad dressings, chicken..you name it. 

But what do you think of it as a hair color? 

That's what I've been calling myself the last week or so....

(Did you check out all those desserts in front of me?  I made them for my brother's birthday party!)

I finally made it to the salon to get my hair done, and you know the saying...you get what you ask for...well, he did exactly what I asked.  'Just lighten it up a little...it's so freakin' dark!'  And that's what he did...it's taken me a few days to get used to it, but now I'm comfortable with it.  We're calling it honey mustard around here....what do you think? 

Enough about my head...onto this beautiful spring (but feels like summer) weather we had around here the last week. 

These are all open in our courtyard!  They smell so sweet, and look gorgeous! I also found some other spring images around town. 

Here are my peeps....

I even made sure I got outside on those hot days.   I took my work with me and grabbed a box lunch and ate out on the pier...

Complete with a little guacamole and chips and my feet in the grass.  Perfect. 

This week has been very busy, after work...I've been helping out another blogger friend, Tayna over at Vegan Faith test some recipes for a cookbook.  I tried homemade shortbread, which was so buttery and delicious. 

It broke while I was taking it out of the pan, oops..but we had no problem eating it. 

I also baked some whole wheat zucchini muffins for my cousin Susan's birthday birthday. 

We celebrated her birthday with a fun hike along the Hudson River. 

With Joe, myself, my cousin Patrick, Amy, and friends Victoria and Tom.  We had a wonderful day, and ate lunch at the Filling Station along route 9N. 

All week, I drank a lot of this....I'm a huge Kombucha fan!

And tried to get all my errands done around town on my bike.  Hoboken is becoming even more biker friendly...check out these new bike racks I'm seeing all over town. 

I found more pretty flowers...

Tested out some recipes...this time 'no-bake almond butter coconut balls'..recipe coming soon. 

And now after work, laundry and dishes I'm ready for a little couch time and Mad Men tonight! 

Wishing all of you a wonderful week. 

Get outside and enjoy all that spring has to offer. 

Nut Balls and all!!!

Zen & Zucchini Fries

Completely different feelings going on this week.  It's amazing how your thoughts and emotions can shift day to day.  Maybe it's this spectacular sunny weather we are having in the Northeast or I don't know what? The days have been so mild and sunny, everyone seems to be brighter and happier! 

I started off the weekend trying out a new workout.  I'm always game for a new challenge and after hearing Tina, over at Carrots-N-Cake give Cross-Fit a big thumbs up, I thought why not!?!! 

Cross-Fit Hoboken was a blast...we started out by running around the block.  (which means running around the old factory that houses Cross-Fit) Very cool...I love the feeling of working together as a team and this felt very much like track club meets marine boot camp. 

I instantly met some new people and was having a great time.  All the trainers were very encouraging and ...it was nice to be the student for a change and not the teacher!! Just what the doctor ordered...thank you!! As Arnold would say...'I'll be back"


While back on the food front...I enjoyed a great 'health-bowl salad' at Maxwell's the other night.  It was full of yummy things like....chickpeas, cuc's, sunflower seeds, greens, carrots and cherry tomatoes with a light lemony vinegarette.  Tasty and filling...just what I wanted!  I also had some of their vegetarian chili, terrific! 

Need some new lunch inspiration? Me too. 

I've been working on a new recipe for a easy lunch...Quick Kale Wraps...recipe will hopefully be on the blog soon.  I want something prepared ahead and ready to go for work or to grab as a healthy snack. 

I think I got this all wrapped up...stay tuned

And then I found myself craving something crunchy to pair with some sweet and tender bbq'd chicken. (and secretly trying to get my husband to eat more vegetables)  I created a crispy, crunchy vegetable stick..and wa-la zucchini fries were born!!!

Say hi to the blog world...

This was so easy and fun to make....I started off with sliced zucchini wedges. 

Rolled the wedges into oat flour..(you can so use white flour) or whatever you have, but you all know my issue with white flour.

Let them go for a quick swim in the egg bath...

Roll them around in some whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs and season with garlic powder, salt & pepper

And bake on a cookie sheet or cooling rack on a cookie sheet at 425 degrees for about 25-35 minutes until golden brown.  Depending on your oven, you might need more or less time.  They will be done when they are toasty brown and the zucchini is tender.  I bet this would be a real winner with kids...it's super fun to eat and dip. 


This week went really fast, but we managed to squeeze in another hike along the Hudson River.  I packed up some fruit to nibble on by the water. 

I've been preparing a few of these fruit cups lately to keep on hand.  They're great to grab on the go and I love all the layers of color. 

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

Try to remember to wear your green and also eat some green...veggies that is!!

Be well!

Cheers! 

Exercise Emotions

I guess all those ginger ale bubbles from last week made other things bubble up inside me.  This morning I found myself tearing up in my Thursday morning exercise class!   Not enough for anyone to realize, but I found myself a little emotional and exhausted. 

My weeks are always busy, teaching my kid's health and fitness classes, studying for my nutrition classes, running a small business, dishes, piles of laundry and everything in between.  So I guess after recovering from being sick it makes sense that I'm still climbing back up to a more balanced place. 

Has exercise ever brought up any emotions for you? 

Sometimes when I run a 5K my thoughts drift to my parents.  I think about how long it's been since I've seen them, held their hand, asked for their advice and that hurts.  I think as much as it hurts, it also drives me to push on and learn more about health and wellness.  Having lost them to cancer and heart disease it makes me want to fully enjoy life and take better care of myself.  Usually during my runs, through the emotions, I am able to have a great conversation with my Dad and I pretend he's running right there next to me....pushing me along.  He was a marine after all, and I know a lot of my strength and drive come from him. 

After a great workout, I head right into my kitchen and start cooking!  I love spending time reading healthy blogs, trying out new recipes and going through my cookbooks planning out meals and snacks for the week.  Knowing that I have delicious healthy choices keeps me motivated and on track.  It also makes me get to the gym, take that yoga class or exercise with friends and family.  When I feel good about myself, I want to eat better and take care of my body.  I believe it truly goes hand in hand together. 

(this is taken by Joe...making me laugh as I prepare yet another morning green smoothie)

thanks, babe...want one?!!?

So this week lots of healthy things were happening in my kitchen....

make your list and go.....

lots of fresh fruit

apples, cinnamon & almond butter snack

leftover sweet potato fries & everyday veggie tray with hummus to dip

'cheesy' vegan kale chips

homemade oatmeal black bean veggie burger...delicious!



Not only do I make healthy food happen all week long....

I take care of business and

Make a plan, find a recipe, find a friend, move your body and make something healthy happen for you this week. 

You're worth it!!

xo

be well

Sweet & Salty

It was one of those weeks when you are craving everything sweet...and then suddenly something salty.  You've been there, right? 

I started out the week fine...bring on the sweet stuff...plugging along and then holy mother of god...Tuesday afternoon/evening I finally admitted to myself and to Joe that I officially had a cold.  These are big words in my house, because I never get sick, so when I do look out!   My nose was running like Niagara Falls, eyes watering, I was sneezing every other minute and feeling like dog sh**!!

But let's get back to the sweet cravings, shall we...

Sweet Craving #1  Diet Ginger Ale....something about being sick and this bubbly sweet beverage, it makes everything better!  I chugged it down and in between sneezes and ripping through a box of Kleenex it tasted so good..yes, sir I'll have another! Soda is not something that I buy anymore.  I forgot how sweet it tastes...WOW!

Sweet Craving #2 Chocolate Babka Bread....(Yes, you're still on the right blog, this is the Healthy Hoboken Girl, however, she has left the planet for a short time and in her sick state, her palate is all over the place.)

Thank you eastern Europe for this little invention of loveliness and the beautiful bakers over at Lilly's Bakery in Brooklyn, New York.  This bread is off the charts good, and now officially sounding like an 'old lady' pairing this with a warm mug of coffee and it's a party in your mouth.  I enjoyed every moist delicious bite of this on Saturday morning!

Sweet Craving # 3: Strawberries & Nutella....I really enjoy sliced strawberries and had the idea of swirling a little bit of Nutella on top

 and then of course I needed a crunch on top of that so (nuts would have been a nice option) here come the bunnies...is it Easter already?

Moving on to Salty Cravings...

Salty Craving #1 Whole Wheat Sea Salt Biscuits with roasted garlic...I made these beauties a few weeks ago for a cooking class and they are perfect comfort food.  I paired it with a red lentil soup and salad for a cozy weekend meal at home. 

Salty Craving # 2 Trader Joe's Crunchy Almond Butter with flax seeds...can't get enough of this stuff.  I find myself putting on just about anything.  Great with carrots, apples, on toast, waffles...you name it.  Crunchy, salty, nutty goodness.  Here is breakfast in a jar....my overnight oats using the bottom of my almond butter jar, sweet, salty and so good for you. 

After a quick recovery, I was feeling much better towards the end of the week, and by Friday was back up and running at almost a 100%.  I ate a lot of these....

 With all of those crazy cravings behind me, I was ready for some fresh vegetable juice and some quality outdoor time.  Joe and I always feel great, getting out of town and hiking the trails along the Hudson River at the Palisades Interstate Park. 

This weekend we found ourselves monkeying around on tree branches.

Refueling for the week ahead, feeling calm and relaxed next to the flowing waters of the Hudson. 

Breathing in all the fresh spring air of early March. Making sure to fill up my lungs and heal. 

Capturing nature's beauty

soft & hard

And always posing for the camera. 

Say YES to all that you crave, smile and enjoy a happy, healthy week.