Zucchini Carrot Bread

I picked up a zucchini at the farmer's market but had no clue what I'd make with it. I don't remember ever making anything with zucchini before.  We were invited to a cookout at our neighbor's house on Saturday so I was on the hunt for a good starter recipe to make.  I didn't want anything that had an overpowering zucchini taste. I'd found a few zucchini casserole recipes that didn't look too bad. There was also some zucchini tots that looked worthwhile. I settled on zucchini bread since everyone loves my banana bread. It took a little searching to find a recipe that didn't use whole wheat flour (never used it and had no intention to buy it to use this one time).

I found this carrot zucchini bread recipe on SparkRecipes and used it with my own tweaks. The recipe calls for cloves and cardamom,  neither of which I'd used before let alone had in the house. So I looked up what I could use as a substitute. Cloves can be swapped with allspice, cinnamon, or nutmeg; I have all three so I was good. Cardamom can be swapped with the same spices or even ginger.  I guess it all depends upon your personal preference.

Ingredients

1 Zucchini

2-3 Carrots, depending on size

1 cup Vegetable Oil

2 cups Sugar

3 cups Flour

1 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Baking Powder

3 Eggs

3 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 tsp Allspice

3 tsp Cinnamon

1. Wash & shred the zucchini, squeezing out some of the moisture with a paper towel.
2. Peel, wash, & shred the carrots.
3. Preheat the oven to 350.
4. Prep two 8x8 pans.
5. With the blender going the whole time, add the wet ingredients.
6. Add in the dry ingredients one at a time,  pausing to mix after each one (after every cup with the sugar and flour).

7. Pour into prepared pans and bake 45-60 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool at least 10 minutes.
9. Slice up into desired serving size. (I went down the middle of each pan and then cut across in approximately 1/2 inch slices. This resulted in 40 servings instead of the 12 as noted in the recipe.)
10. Serve alone or with fruit.

I honestly thought that since this recipe was on SparkRecipes it'd be healthier.  Zucchini carrot bread has a great taste either way and there are many things you can do to lighten it up such as using unsweetened applesauce instead of the oil.  How would you change the recipe?

Weight Watchers: 4 PP

Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza

I was excited to be able to participate in the Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza BzzCampaign.  This would be my first known experience into the gluten free world.  I received my BzzKit and was really exited to try the pepperoni pizza since that's what we normally get at Little Caesar's.

When I got to my local Kroger I was bummed that they only had the 4 Cheese Medley.  I started to leave without picking up a pizza.  I got to the other end of the aisle and had Austin run back and go ahead and grab the cheese pizza.  Having a cheese pizza is like having a blank canvas to work with.  You can add whatever toppings you want!

Sunday night we decided to try the pizza.  Taking it out of the box it just looked like an ordinary thinner crust pizza.

Benny wanted just tomato, pepperoni, and onion on his half.  I used one whole onion and one Roma tomato over the whole pizza.  Then I added about 1/4 cup bell pepper to my half in between the tomato slices.  Finally I topped it with pepperoni.  I don't know how many I had on Benny's side but I made sure that I only had 14 (one serving) on my side LOL.

This was my first ever known gluten free meal.  It tasted great!  Not sure if it was the Freschetta pizza itself or the combination of everything but it was a lot sweeter than what I'm used to with frozen or fresh pizza.  Is this how gluten free tastes?  It wasn't as salty or greasy as Little Caesar's pizza either.  When we would purchase frozen pizza before and add toppings they would slide off.  Not so with the Freschetta.  The cheese oozed through and held down everything.  I really liked that I didn't have a mouthful of only toppings!

 

As you can see, adding the toppings to the Freschetta 4 Cheese Medley makes it about even with what I'm normally eating but it's still the healthier option since it has veggies.  I still would love to try the Freschetta Gluten Free Pepperoni Pizza to see how it compares to what I made.  I'm sure it'll still have a great taste!  As with anything gluten free the price is higher than the same product with gluten (was $9.99 at Kroger) but I think it's still a comparable price with other frozen pizzas.

Would you buy a gluten free frozen pizza?  What toppings would you use?

Taco Salad - 21 Day Fix Friendly Recipe

As you well know I struggled to get in all my containers during the 21 Day Fix.  This taco salad that I came up with was big but satisfying.  It's very flexible so you can modify just about everything to suit your tastes.

Ingredients

1 cup spinach (can do lettuce too or a mix...whatever you prefer)

2 small heads broccoli

5-6 carrots

1/2-1 bell pepper

1/2-1 onion

1 Tbsp minced garlic

Salt & Pepper to taste

Spice mix to taste (i.e. oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, allspice, etc.)

4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

2 cups instant brown rice

1-2 lb ground beef

Taco seasoning (packet or self-made)

1 cup water

1/4 cup feta

4 slices turkey bacon

I'd like to note that Benny won't buy the healthier ground beef (only 73/27) because of the price so I just use less of it in my meals.  He doesn't seem to mind that he's not eating so much meat LOL

1. Preheat oven to 450.  Cut up all your veggies (except the spinach) and place into a bowl with the garlic.  Add your preferred spice mix and the olive oil.  Toss well.  Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish and place in the oven.
2. Meanwhile brown the ground beef and add salt & pepper to taste.  Drain and add the taco seasoning and water.  Stir well.  Heat to boiling and reduce to simmer.  Most of the liquid will be absorbed.
3. While the beef is browning cook the rice according to the package instructions.
4. When everything is almost done, cook the bacon in the microwave.
5. Remove the veggies from the oven and let cool a few minutes.
6. Place the spinach in a large bowl.  Add 2 cups of the veggies.  Add 2/3 cup of the rice (save the rest for leftovers or serve to members of your family).  Add up to 3/4 cup of the ground beef mixture.  Top with the feta and bacon.
7. Enjoy!

The amounts mentioned above wouldn't be an every day meal.  It's more for when you've had a crazy busy day and didn't much.  As I said before it's very flexible so you can adjust it to whatever you're needing for that meal.

Banana Bread

I can eat banana bread more frequently than I can bananas themselves.  I could eat few slices a day every day while only one banana every other day.  It's been a few months since I made some but had the ripe bananas from my March Shakeology Challenge.  Austin loves doing all the prep work and of course eating the banana bread.  Benny doesn't like bananas but loves banana bread!  I adopted this recipe from the 125th Anniversary Edition of The Good Housekeeping Cookbook.

Makes 1 Loaf, 16 Slices, 5PP

Ingredients

2 Cups Flour

3/4 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 Cup Margerine (or butter)

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

2 Large Eggs

4 Ripe Bananas (Although I think I had 6 this time)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Cinnamon (to taste)

This is how the cookbook says to do it.

1. Preheat oven to 325.  Evenly grease your 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, with a wire whisk, stir flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, with a mixer at medium speed, beat margarine and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Reduce speed to low; alternately add flour and banana mixtures, beginning and ending with flour mixtures, occasionally scraping the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Beat just until blended.
4. Pour patter into prepared pan.  Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (about 1 hour).  Cool loaf pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

This is how we do it.

1. Preheat oven to 325.  Evenly grease your 8-1/2" x 4-1/2" loaf pan.
2. In the bowl with a mixer at the first speed, add each ingredient one at a time (usually bananas first), occasionally scraping the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Beat just until blended.
3. Pour patter into prepared pan.  Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (about 1 hour).  Cool loaf pan on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

Doesn't that make things simpler?  I never grasped the whole keeping the dry and wet ingredients separate.  To me it's a waste of time and dishes! LOL  Everything still turns out wonderful and people come back for more.

I've had the banana bread warmed with additional margarine.  I've spread peanut butter on a slice.  Austin has put Nutella on his before.  This time I tried something different - a slice of pineapple.  It wasn't bad.  Would you eat your banana bread plain or top it with something?

I'm sure that there are different things you can do to make a healthier banana bread.  The recipe I saw on Weight Watchers used whole wheat flour but it only saved 1PP.  So I'm happy to have that extra PP.  It's something everyone likes so why mess with a good thing?

Linking up with Jill for Fitness Health & Happiness and Banana Bread Day on February 23rd.

Chicken Penne a la Cassi

When I was cooking dinner Saturday night I came across this recipe on the back of the pasta box.  Not sure why it caught my eye this time.  Perhaps the random picking up of spinach at Aldi's triggered it.  I didn't have and/or use some of the ingredients so I decided to modify the recipe into something I could make.  Thus Chicken Penne a la Cassi was born (thanks Shaina for the name idea).

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 oz Penne Rigate, Cooked

2 Chicken Breasts

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Cups Fresh Spinach

1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approximate)

1/4 Cup Rice Wine Vinegar

1 Can Diced Tomatoes

Crumbled Feta (as desired)

1.  Cut up chicken into cubes and put into a baggie with olive oil and your choice of spices.  Zip closed and mix well to marinate the chicken.  Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
2.  Cook the chicken until the pink is gone, stirring and flipping the pieces over.
3.  Remove the chicken from the pan, leaving the juices in the pan.

4.  Add spinach and garlic to the pan, sauteing until spinach is wilted.  Add vinegar and continue cooking.
5.  Add tomatoes and cook until they are hot.
6.  Add penne and chicken to the pan and gently toss to combine.

7.  Sprinkle each serving with crumbled feta.

How would you change up this recipe?

March Challenge - Tasty Tuesday #10

Someone had mentioned they didn't like meal replacement shakes like Shakeology because you had to mix other things with it.  There are some people that do enjoy drinking them without the additional flavors.  I could maybe do that once a week but not every day.  I have to have the variety to avoid boredom.

 

This week I experimented on my own a little bit, mixing the Shakeology with Weight Watchers' smoothie mixes.  Everything had a good taste except the Chocolate Covered Strawberries.  There just wasn't enough flavor in it.  I strained to finish drinking the shake that day!

 





 

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Packet Weight Watchers' Mint Cookies & Cream Smoothie

1 Cup Water

Ice

 

This one wasn't too bad.  I just prefer this minty goodness warm (using chocolate almond milk).

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Cup Strawberries (I had 9)

1 Cup Water

Ice

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Packet Weight Watchers Greek Yogurt & Honey Smoothie

1 Cup Water

Ice

I'd never tried this smoothie mix before so I wasn't sure how it'd taste.  With this one I liked how I felt and tasted the honey flavor the whole time.

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Cup Milk

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp Vanilla

Ice

Image Courtesy of Aduldej | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

2 Pineapple Rings (I used 3)

1 Cup Water

Ice

 

I was surprised to find that this tasted pretty good.  I'd never thought of mixing pineapple with chocolate.

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

1/2 Cup Oatmeal

1-1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 Cup Milk

Ice

 

This was super thick and hard to drink.  It was also too much cinnamon for my liking.  I think it would be better to serve this as a pudding.

 

1 Scoop Shakeology

2 Tbsp PB2

1 Cup Water

Ice

 

I think this would be my favorite of the week.  Definitely easier mixing with PB2 than with the natural peanut butter.  It was almost like drinking Reese's!

 



When I finished every shake (except the Oatmeal Cookies) I filled my cup with water.  That way I got the remnants of the shake as well as getting in some of my water for the day.  I usually have the shake in a 24 oz Tervis tumbler.

Which flavor sounds the most interesting to you?

March Challenge - Tasty Tuesday #9

This month I decided to try Shakeology again.  I've been told that it doesn't taste well with yogurt so that could've been my problem when I tried the sampler this fall.  Today's Day 4 and so far so good!  I haven't experienced the funky aftertaste at all; it actually sort of tastes more like chocolate almond milk.  I haven't yet experienced the fullness I had last time either.

There are so many recipes that you can make with Shakeology but I don't like or have the ingredients (or don't even know where to find them really).  So far I've tried a different recipe every day.  Using the frozen fruit I'd chop it in my mini chopper and add the dry ingredients.  The mini chopper doesn't do well with liquids so I only add enough to help break everything down.  I then empty the chopper into the cup and use my milkshake maker to blend everything together.  Yes, I know I'm weird using two appliances instead of a blender but it's much easier to clean these two things than it is to mess with the blender every day.

This is the only one I took a picture of the cup.  They all look the same so I didn't bother taking additional pictures.

Ingredients

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup Strawberries (ended up using 6)

1 Cup Water

Ice

This one I just did in the milkshake maker not the blender.  The peanut butter didn't mix well and just settled at the bottom of my cup.  I was able to drink it up after the ice melted.

Ingredients

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter (or your favorite nut butter)

1/2 Tsp Almond Extract

1 Cup Almond Milk

Ice

Ingredients

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Nutmeg

1 Cup Almond Milk (or your favorite milk)

Ice

Ingredients

1 Scoop Shakeology

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Water

Ice

The last two I didn't want to mess with chopping anything because I don't have the time for it in the mornings before work.  Perhaps I'll try prepping my shakes in the evening and just adding the liquid in the mornings.  You can also use a shaker cup to mix some of these but I've never had any luck getting all the powder to mix when I don't use an appliance so I'm not trying Shakeology that way.

What are your favorite Chocolate (or Vegan Chocolate) Shakeology recipes?

 Do you want to join me on this challenge or have one of your own?  Click the banner to order your 30 day supply.

Broiled Chicken with Clementine Salsa - Tasty Tuesday #8

Time for another recipe that I got from Relish.  This recipe was actually for Grilled chicken but since I don't have a grill and it's winter I broiled it in the oven.

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (The chicken was HUGE from Sam's Club so I only used two.)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano (I also added basil.)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 Roma (or plum) tomatoes , sliced
4 clementines, peeled and chopped
2 green onions , chopped (I subbed half of a regular white onion.)
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (I subbed with rice wine vinegar.)

TOPPING (If you don't have breadcrumbs)
2 slices white bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Italian parsley
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions
1.  Place the chicken between 2 slices of plastic wrap and using a meat mallet, pound thin. (This can be difficult as the chicken likes to explode through the plastic wrap!) Place chicken in a large ziptop bag. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, oregano and salt and pepper. Pour over the chicken and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

2.  Preheat broiler. If you're making the topping, pulse the bread in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Place in a medium skillet with olive oil and the parsley. Toast for 3-4 minutes over medium-low heat to a golden brown. Remove to a bowl.

3.  Add the tomatoes, oranges and onions to the skillet with another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add vinegar and season with salt and pepper. 

4.  Broil the chicken for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.

5.  Serve the chicken on individual plates topped with orange sauce and sprinkled with breadcrumbs.  

Per Serving:  337 calories; 29 grams protein; 19 grams total fat; 1 gram fiber; 3 grams saturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 68 mgs cholesterol; 178 mgs sodium; 9 WW points plus

I never thought I'd like the taste of salsa with clementines.  I just didn't think it would mix well.  This was so delicious!  However, if you don't use all the salsa throw it away.  It doesn't taste good reheated!  This is definitely a recipe I'll make again.

Tasty Tuesday #7

Well, these link ups didn't catch on as much as I hoped.  Next week will have a recipe, either mine or a guest recipe.  If you're interested in sharing a recipe here for #TASTYTUESDAY please read the guest post guidelines and submit.

 

Solo Beverage

 

 

What I was expecting to see

 

I thought for sure I'd see beverage recipes like this.

 

 

Desserts

 

Yummy fruit!

 

If only all Raw looked this good!

 

Healthy Beverage Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #6

Where did everyone go? Because there was only one submission I'm keeping the linky open another week.

 

Only the Lonely

Please feel free to go back to last week's post and link up your healthy dessert recipes.  I'll post both favorites next week.

 

 

 

Please share your favorite healthy beverage recipes from your blog, whether it be a smoothie, cocktail, or something else you've cooked up.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  My favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  Those not highlighted the next week will be pinned on one of my other recipe boards (provided there aren't an overwhelming number of entries).

Healthy Dessert Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #5

So many good dinner recipes this week it was difficult to narrow down and pick a favorite!

My Favorite

I went with this recipe because I miss having chicken nuggets.  I haven't had any in so long!

Please share your favorite healthy dessert recipes from your blog.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  I've enabled likes on the linky so you can select your favorites. Your likes and my favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  Those not highlighted the next week will be pinned on one of my other recipe boards (provided there aren't an overwhelming number of entries).

Next week's theme:  Beverages

Healthy Dinner Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #4

Have I scared people away?  Not many have linked up again this week.

My Favorite

Please let me know what I can do to make this linkup better!

Please share your favorite healthy dinner recipes from your blog.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  I've enabled likes on the linky so you can select your favorites. Your likes and my favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  Those not highlighted the next week will be pinned on one of my other recipe boards (provided there aren't an overwhelming number of entries).

Next week's theme:  Desserts

Healthy Lunch Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #3

Not so many snacks linked up this time.

My Favorite

Using the nutritional information provided these muffins are 5PP

I didn't see any likes so perhaps I forgot to enable them this time around.

Please share your favorite healthy lunch recipes from your blog.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  I've enabled likes on the linky so you can select your favorites. Your likes and my favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  Those not highlighted the next week will be pinned on one of my other recipe boards (provided there aren't an overwhelming number of entries).

Next week's theme:  Dinner

Healthy Snacks Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #2

What a great turnout for my first Tasty Tuesday!  Here are the favorite breakfast recipes from last week.

Most Liked

Yeah, I know two likes isn't much but it's a start!

Oddest

I've never heard of anyone eating shrimp for breakfast!

My Favorite

Quick & easy, just the way I like!

Please share your favorite healthy snack recipes from your blog.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  I've enabled likes on the linky so you can select your favorites. Your likes and my favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  Those not highlighted the next week will be pinned on one of my other recipe boards (provided there aren't an overwhelming number of entries).

Next week's recipe theme - Lunch

Healthy Breakfast Recipes - Tasty Tuesday #1

Welcome to my first Tasty Tuesday!  I hope those of you who're also dealing with the snow and arctic temperatures are staying safe and warm.  I'm going a little stir crazy not having left the house since Saturday.  We haven't seen temperatures this cold in 20 years but I don't remember it! LOL  (This time 20 years ago I was a freshman in high school.)

I'm trying a link up for this first time around.  Please share your favorite healthy breakfast recipes from your blog.  Please visit at least one other recipe that's linked up.  I've enabled likes on the linky so you can select your favorites. Your likes and my favorite recipes will be pinned on my Tasty Tuesday board.  (I'm still trying to figure out how to feature these recipes in next week's post.)

Next week's recipe theme: Snacks

Happy New Year! - Welcome to 2014

Sorry for skipping out on you after completing the Slim in 6 for the Holidays Challenge.  Never got in those after pictures.  It was crazy around here trying to get ready for Christmas with my family in Ohio.  It was the first time we had Christmas BEFORE Christmas so we kind of had to rush everything.

My Slim in 6 for the Holidays Losses

4.8 pounds

.5 inch off my thighs

2 inches off my chest

2.5 inches off my waist

TOTAL WEIGHT LOST FOR 2013 - 62.8 lbs (as of 12/26)

I came across the Weight Watchers' New Year, New You Challenge yesterday.  This 4 week challenge appears to be designed to help you get a jump start on your weight loss goal for 2014.  By committing to the challenge you're vowing to look towards the future not the past.  There are weekly tasks to help you be healthier and successful in reaching your goal.  Tasks are designed to keep you mindful in everything you do and help you navigate your journey.  This sounds like a great idea so I signed up as a participant.

Week 1 has two tasks, one immediate and the other long term.  The immediate task is to try food that you've never had before, preferably whole foods.  Well, I tried almond milk and other lettuces at my grandparents' house during our Christmas and PB2 (love it!) later so I say I'm good for this one.

The long term task is thinking outside the scale.  This involves a separate goal that has nothing to do with your weight or clothing size.  For me I think it would be to participate in some kind of personal development program.  I've been reading books but they're just not clicking for me, not holding my concentration.  Perhaps participating in a program with hands-on activity is the key.  Now to find these programs that won't cost an arm and a leg...

This new year also marks some changes to the blog.  First of all I'm moving my weekly updates to Wednesdays.  It just makes more sense to post the day after I've weighed in at Weight Watchers rather than the Sunday night after.  #WEIGHINWEDNESDAY

The second change is the introduction of healthy recipes on Tuesdays.  Mostly these recipes will be contributed but every once in a while it'll be something I've done (when I felt creative in the kitchen).  So what's the best way to do my weekly "call for recipes"?  #TASTYTUESDAY Non-recipe guest posts will be on Thursdays.

The third change is in the works.  I'm looking at ending Casually Cassi and moving all product reviews here.  It's just not getting the interaction and viewership that I thought I'd have.  I'm actually not getting more opportunities because of that.  Please leave your opinions of this transition in the comments.

2014 Goals

Image Courtesy of Vlado / Freedigitalphotos.net

I know it's a little early to really start writing about next year's goals but I'm one that likes to read and skip ahead.  I'll continue adding to this list through the end of 2013 as needed.

1. Continue to work towards reaching my goal weight.
2. Sell or donate the clothes that are too big for me now.
3. Meet new people (in person not just online).
4. Partner with some places to host fit clubs.
5. Make a social media schedule and stick to it so I'm not always on.
6. Start making money with the Beachbody business to cover my expenses.
7. Have $100 per week additional spending money.
8. Have at least 2 blog posts every week.  (Need more guest posters!)
9. Finish organizing and send out a monthly newsletter to subscribers (sign up on the sidebar).  (Sent in November & December)
10. Upgrade my cell phone to something with better internal memory.  (Ordered a Samsung Galaxy Ring 12/31/13. Hope It works!  It really sucks!)
11. Increase monthly page views from ~2000 to 5000.
12. Decide what to do with Casually Cassi - keep separate or merge?  (No longer using Casually Cassi.  Any product reviews will appear here.)
13. Add #TASTYTUESDAY featuring healthy recipes, mostly with others' guest posts but sometimes my own.  (Doing but not consistently.)
14. Continue working on improving my overall health.
15. Evaluate coaching certification programs to decide where I want to take this business.
16. Find personal development programs that pique my interest (and keep it!).

Have you started writing out your goals for next year?