Fall Harvest and Eats

On Sunday Mr. Gaunt and I tended to our (MUCH) neglected garden. I wont lie, with the hub of wedding and work and schedules and dieting, the garden was the first thing we let go. I’m still processing how I feel about the garden. Next year I wont do quite as big, but I will plan more for what I want to grow (NO LETTUCE!). So Sunday we trimmed things up and picked the ripe tomatoes (sauce will be canned tonight) the acorn squash, a few jalapeno, Zucchini and Cucumbers too.

I bought a beef roast for the Crockpot too. I cut up an onion, a few leftover potatoes from the wedding, a baby acorn squash and threw them in the crockpot and in the fridge. Then in the  morning I got up early and threw the roast in whole, with 2 cups of water and seasoning packet. Set the cooker to low and left for work. 8 hours later the house smelled amazing and dinner was done. Me and the crockpot are going to be good friends this winter. Oh and Pear Cider is the Beer Haters best friend!

The (Paleo) Eats

I thought I would share a few things we have been eating lately to give you an idea of what we are making while doing pseudo Paleo.

First up we have been using Coconut Oil instead of Olive Oil for cooking. Not for any particular reason, just that Paleo Diet encourages it. I actually bought this a long time ago when it was on sale and hadn’t opened it until this last week. No it doesn’t taste like Coconut, and yes it works about the same as Olive Oil. You can watch this video on Coconut Oil vs Olive Oil here. Supposedly its good for weight loss and metabolism.

Our Peony Bush bloomed too!

This is what we had yesterday for lunch, but once again I am reminded that I really think pork is pretty gross if it’s not HIGHLY seasoned or marinated. I had to not eat that meat, but I did eat all my Kale! The Kale is actually 3 different kinds from our garden that we picked yesterday and grilled up with onions.

This is a pretty typical dinner for work. On the left is Tuna made with non-fat mayo and dill relish. On the right is just raw veggies and a banana. I usually stagger them over my 10 hour shift.

This is today’s lunch. Its Chicken Sausage, kale, onions, and Peppers. sautéed on the stove. I add a little garlic and red pepper flakes. Its yummy and simple.

Today I feel worn out. I also feel like there is not enough time in the day to do household chores, wedding planning, working out, and socializing. Today we did manage to do a test run on our Boutonnieres, which turned out super cute! I’m excited to finish them this weekend, It’s important to finish little tasks a long the way because all those things add up.

Oh and we did do 3.5 miles this morning, so at least I’m managing to stay on top of that.

 

Not A Cook Anymore

I kind of miss cooking.

I haven’t really cooked anything since we started round 2 of weight loss. I know I cooked a lot when we did Weight Watchers, but were doing things a little differently now. For me cooking is a way to really enjoy food. To mix flavors and textures and really take full pleasure in what you eat. I’m avoiding that. The 45 pounds I’m trying to lose means that I have enjoyed the pleasure of my fair share of food. Now I’m trying to enjoy the pleasure of my body (well that just sounds awkward) but seriously. I’m tying to see changes and feel changes in what my body can do. I WANT to be proud of my body, not to hate it.

But I miss cooking. And baking. And Food Gawker. And Cookbooks. And GROCERY SHOPPING! Sweet sweet grocery shopping, how I loved thee. I use to love nothing more than spending an hour wandering around Whole Foods or Sunflower Market picking out all the good things I would cook. Getting home and putting them all away and staring at a fridge full of veggies and goodness!

Now I got to the store and grab the five things I NEED to get through the week. Yogurt, Fruit, Granola, Chicken, Vegetables.

It’s not fun anymore. Althought being fat was never fun either, so who am I to complain. You cant bake your cake and be skinny too!

The good news is I am having a little Veggie Potluck with friends in 2 weeks and I’m going to go all out and make something awesome!

Until then I’m going to go workout and eat BBQ Chicken and Dill Relish for lunch….Dont Judge!

GOALS GOALS GOAL…

Family Meals and The Quarter Pig

This meal was made by my mom last Sunday after we all worked on the yard. One of things I missed the MOST in Colorado was my mom’s cooking, and eating with my family. I really like that I’m the one now with the house that people gather at, it’s really nice. It makes me look forward to holidays coming up!

-Ceasar Salad

-Quinoa Pasta and Pesto

-BBQ Chicken and Sausage and Ham

-Asparagus

Normally I don’t eat Pork products. Mostly I have never really been a fan of pork, and partly because it’s just a weird meat. My mom’s friend raises pigs and my mom bought a 1/4 of a pig a few weeks ago. Since then we have had some amazing Bacon, and now really good Ham! I don’t even like Ham, but this was really good. I don’t know, I guess I like when I know where my meat is coming from, plus I swear it tastes way better.

Veggie Calzones

I went a few weeks ago to Olympia to hang out with my BFF Mallory and her Fiance Aaron.  Aaron jokingly said I could only stay if I cooked for them…lol. Mallory is Vegetarian, so I did what I always do and FoodGawker’ed  “vegetarian” looking for something new and exciting, that’s when I saw it, Vegetarian Calzones….Holla! This was super exciting!

My recipe was very roughly based off this recipe. However, I’m not really a “make your own dough” kinda girl, so we headed to the magical land of Trader Joe’s. We didn’t have Trader Joe’s in Colorado, so I’m very excited to add them to my weekly shopping, as I hear nothing but good things. We got everything for this meal there, including Whole Wheat pizza dough.

INGREDIENTS:

-Fat Free Ricotta Cheese

-Low Fat mozzarella

-Red Pepper

-Onion

-Garlic

-Basil (fresh)

-Italian ToFurky Sausage

-2 packages of Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

 

DIRECTIONS:

-Let the dough sit out for 20 minutes, as the package says to do so.

-Chop onions, garlic, peppers, and Sausage

-Saute vegetables in olive oil, add sausage and Saute that too.

-Meanwhile mix the Ricotta and the Mozzarella and Chopped fresh Basil into a large mixing bowl.

-When the veggies and Sausage are cooked, mix them into the cheese bowl (its fine if they are still a bit hot).

-Set aside the “insides” and separate the dough into 4 balls, roll out with a little flour into ovals. Put a big scoop of the “inside” mixture int he center of the dough, fold over and crimp. Bake based on your dough’s instructions. We also added little bowls of marinara for dipping.

 

LOVE-ly Eats!

Valentines Day is coming. Single or not I LOVE VALENTINES day!

I love pink and lace and hearts and all of it!

Today I’m sharing some fun Valentines Day foods. They all give off that sugary sweet look, but without the sugar! Check out these fun un-traditional Valentine treats. (click on the photo to see recipe)

 

Cauliflower Soup

 

Rhubarb Cookies

 

 

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto palmier

 

 

Iced lavender Lemon Tea Cookies

 

 

Beet Ravioli

Tonight we are off to the Stock Show! Yay! Baby cows and fried foods! Pictures to come.