Vegetable Frittata

A Frittata is an Italian version of an omelet. Often compared to a crust-less quiche or, in America, "scrambled eggs." The Vegetable Frittata is not only a healthy alternative to a high-carbohydrate and calorie filled breakfast, the Vegetable Frittata is also easy to make and can be reheated as leftovers for a nutritious breakfast every day of the week.

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Ingredients:

·       2 cups broccoli (about 3 bunches), cleaned and chopped into small pieces

·       3 strips of bacon or 1/2 cup turkey sausage

·       ½ medium onion
·       1 red bell pepper
·       2 cups of fresh spinach

·       2 pints of egg whites

·       2 Tbsp milk

·       1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

·       1 large tomato, diced

·       Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation:

1.     Preheat oven to 400˚

2.     Steam broccoli al dente (firm but not hard)

3.     Cut bacon into small piece and place in an oven-proof, stick-free skillet

4.     Sauté bacon until it’s about fully-cooked

5.     Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are translucent

6.     Whisk together eggs, milk and Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl

7.     Add broccoli to the bacon, onion and garlic in the skillet and stir, while continuing to sauté on medium temperature setting

8.     Drain and stir tomatoes into egg mixture

9.     Spread the broccoli mixture evenly over the bottom of the skillet

10.  Pour egg mixture over broccoli mixture

11.  Use a spatula to lift up the broccoli mixture along the sides of the pan to let the egg mixture flow underneath

12.  Sprinkle grated cheese over the top of the frittata

13.  Cook until the mixture is about half set, then put the whole skillet in the oven

14.  Bake for 15-17 minutes

15.  Remove from the oven with oven mitts and let cool for several minutes

16.  Hold on to pan handle with oven mitt and turn over on a large plate

17.  Cut into quarters to serve

  Serves 8

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Gotta love Cookie Monster

A little inspiration to eat healthy. Check out Cookie Monster singing about Healthy Food:

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. 

I Was a Ninety-pound Weakling

This short documentary is an example of what people thought about the health of modern day people in the 1960's. I thought I'd post the video here, as I  found it quite funny how most of the people filmed in this movie are much healthier looking than we are in the 21st century.

Oops!

Like Oprah, I fell off the wagon. It happens and I'll openly admit it...I messed up!! This year I'm starting off with a new frame of mind.
"TO BE HEALTHY FOR ME"
Most likely this page will remain "as is" until I feel confident enough to update. I would also like to feel that what I have to say will mean something to others, as I believe I'm following a truly healthy lifestyle. Hope everyone follows my lead this year and is healthy for themselves too!!!

Enjoying my New Lifestyle

Please note, I am eating healthier, keeping my portions smaller and losing weight. You can see daily updates on the right side of the page and my weight loss progress at the bottom of this blog. We are working on another video, but are both really busy with work and every day life, so it's taking a little longer than expected. I am also working on a separate page, which will include healthy homemade recipes that I've been cooking and preparing over the last few months.

In the meantime, check out these websites I've come across recently and the websites listed on the right side of this page, as well:

• I'm strongly considering joining OverEaters Anonymous, but shhh...please keep it between you and me as it's anonymous.

• Here's a motivating Podcast I like listening to at work and before I go to bed: Inside Out Weight Loss with Renee Stephens

• There has been alot of talk about plastic water bottles not being environmentally friendly lately, so I started researching alternative solutions. Check out this site for a water bottle made from PLANTS: Primo Water
  

Moving right along...

Sorry for the delay in posting my next video, but we have been working on a new one that takes a little more work to complete.  Please check back over the next couple of weeks, because we will have a video posted soon...

In the meantime, check out a few updates on the right side of the page and here's a video of me about 15 years ago.  My friend, Denise, is actually singing the song.  I like looking at this video to inspire me to be thin again.  Believe it or not...I actually thought I was fat.  

I've been moving right along, although I haven't lost any significant weight in the last few weeks, due to a busy schedule and being sick, which has led me to a few fast food places.  The good news is...I haven't gained weight, so it's not too bad.  In the last week, I've been bringing my lunch to work and cooking healthy homemade meals every night, so I'm getting back on track. 

I've read and been told by many to join a class or team, so you feel obligated to go to the scheduled class and hopefully enjoy the class or team you've joined.  So I listened and joined a Zumba class (a form of Latin dance) at the local Community Center.  I'm really looking forward to the class beginning in about 2 weeks.  

I also received my first subscription of CleanEatingMag

and love it!!  I highly recommend taking a look at the website to get an idea of what it's all about.

My friend asked me to join a 6.25 mile walk starting in Vasona Park (right next door to where I live) for March for Babies on April 26th.  March for Babies is a non-profit organization, which helps new born babies live a healthy life.  

See this video for more details:

Also, check out this website and my sponsor widget on the right hand side of this page to donate to this wonderful cause:

Cheri's March for Babies website

Here are a few other websites, which I found helpful and thought you may too:

7 Great Reasons to Drink Green Tea

SouthBeach Diet – Breakfast on the Go

Calorie Counter

Keep coming back...it works ;)