New Healthy Lifestyle

About three months ago I converted from a Vegetarian to a vegetable eating Carnivore for several reasons that included extensive research on the healthiest food for me and my personal beliefs. I've lost about 10 lbs. so far and feel so much healthier! Keep in mind I'd like to lose weight, but my main goal is to feel and look healthy...and I do!
Basically, I'm minimizing starches, carbohydrates and sugars. I'm feeling much more healthy than I did as a Vegetarian, because I only ate these types of foods to feel full and lazy, but now I feel more alive and ready to take on the world!
According to my husband and many others, the meals I cook are absolutely scrumptious. So I was thinking this site would be the perfect avenue to utilize my Technical Writing background and years of cooking experience to start my own cookbook that others can enjoy, as well. So, as I make new meals I'll post them here. Feel free to add comments and/or suggestions about your recipe ideas. 

Here's my first recipe:

Deliciously Healthy Hamburger Pie                        Oven: 375˚ 

A healthier version of Hamburger Pie, also known as Sheppard’s Pie, the mashed potatoes are replaced by mashed cauliflower to reduce the amount of sugars, starches and overall carbohydrates in this delectable dish.
As a suggestion, prepare the mashed cauliflower before pre-heating the oven, as the cauliflower is set aside while preparing the hamburger filling.

Mashed Cauliflower

There are many variations to preparing mashed cauliflower. You can substitute, add or delete ingredients based on preferred flavor. 

Ingredients:

• 2 heads of raw cauliflower
• 6 cups of water (or enough water to cover the cauliflower florets in the pan)
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 egg white
• 2 tbsp. butter
• Salt and pepper 

Options: minced garlic (a clove or two); garlic powder (1/2 to 1 teaspoon); cheese

Preparation:

1. Break or chop the cauliflower up into florets.
2. Add cauliflower to water.
3. Boil until it's tender (a fork should easily pierce it).
4. Strain water from cauliflower and place into mixing bowl.
5. Add milk, egg white, butter, salt and pepper.
6. Mash cauliflower with a fork or potato masher until ingredients are mixed.
7. Blend with an electric hand mixer, food processor or blender until
   you have a soft consistency like mashed potatoes, then set aside.

Hamburger Pie Filling

Before you begin preparing the meat filling, pre-heat the oven to 375˚ and grease the 1½ quart casserole dish with olive or coconut oil. To purchase organic coconut oil visit: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/ and select Tropical Traditions Green
Label Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil - Certified Organic. Expeller-pressed, as opposed to virgin, coconut oil is optimal for cooking, if you’d prefer not to taste coconut.
The hamburger meat filling can be replaced by ground turkey or ground soy meat, depending on your preference and the green beans can be frozen, canned or fresh steamed. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. of ground beef 
• ½ cup of chopped onion 
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can of cut green beans  
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can of Italian-style stewed tomatoes or ½ cup of fresh sliced tomatoes. 
• 1 ¼ cup of Organic Tomato Soup
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce or steak sauce 
• Pinch of Oregano  
• ¼ teaspoon pepper and salt

Options: paprika and cheese

Preparation:

1. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet until the meat is brown and onion is tender.
2. Stir the tomato soup, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and oregano into the meat and onions until the meat is saturated.
3. Drain and add the green beans to the mixture.
4. Bring to boiling.
5. Transfer the mixture to the greased 1½ quart casserole dish.
6. Drop the mashed cauliflower in small mounds atop the hamburger mixture.
7. Smooth the mashed cauliflower over the mixture to completely cover.
8. Sprinkle with cheese and/or paprika over the top, if desired.
9. Bake in a 375˚ oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition facts per serving: Will add soon.