Coconut Butter

Hey Hey ~ 

How's everyone? Good I hope. 

There have been a few changes around Potter Palace..

Potter Palace.. is my home, domain, kingdom, castle, safe haven.. well you get the point!!  

For about a year now I've been thinking about a vegan diet. When I began doing research about getting fit and healthy, I started watching documentaries and reading books. Everything from Food Matters to The Gerson Miracle. And reading books like Organic Manifesto and You Are Your Own Gym.

The more I started reading and absorbing the information I was finding, the more it got me thinking. 

I'm not going to go into why you should become vegan or change your diet. It's a personal choice But I think that if you start doing some research, you can figure it out! 

 I cut out meat and dairy from my diet 3 days ago, I'm not vegan as I still eat eggs and use honey. I can see myself giving up eggs in the future but honey is just to good and I don't think that the local raw organic honey I'm getting is hurting the bees. I did choose to cut out meat and dairy for health reasons. But of course I am a compassionate animal lover too! 

I do have a background in a vegetarian diet. My family being most my aunts, uncles and grandparents are Seventh Day Adventist and growing up did not eat any kind of meat. I've always been very picky about the meat I ate and would often times choose a vegetarian dish over a meat dish. At a young age I was introduced to Textured vegetable protein (soy) and gluten steaks and all kinds of different "fake" meats by Loma Linda, Morning Star and Worthington. 

Some of my favorite meals are meals made with TVP or "fake" meats.. Shamburgers, Steaks deluxe, I love the scallops made by Worthington, dipped in Nutritonal yeast and fryed in a little EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil),red pepper flakes and sea salt. The veggie links have a soft spot in my heart.. roasted like a wiener or mashed in a sandwich like my Grandma used to make. And the only sausage I will eat or my kids for that matter are morning star links. 

I know that Soy is a huge GMO crop in the U.S. I really try to get Non GMO and Organic when possible and I don't eat a lot of soy. It can mess with your thyriod and estrogen levels. I plan on eating a lot of plants, fruits, legumes, Quinoa, Tempeh, Tofu, and some "fake"meats.

I'm looking forward to experimenting and feeling good about what I'm eating. So that's a little bit about the changes going on in my kitchen. I'm sure I will continue to have wonderful delicious healthy recipes for you! 

On to the recipe I have for you today!

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Recently I began hearing about Coconut Butter. So I did some research and thought "I wonder if I can make it?"

We have a great Co-op organic market Called Main Market. You can read more about it here. They have a wonderful Bulk section so I got some unsweetened organic shredded coconut and today I made some Coconut Butter. 

Because I used unsweetened coconut I added in some agave and vanilla.. it turned out yummy.
Definitely is different but good. Since I have never bought any from the store I don't have anything to compare mine to so it's fine for me. I am curious about what the store bought kind tastes like and it's texture. I imagine I will buy some eventually.

Coconut Butter...

What you will need
Food Processor
2 cups unsweetened organic coconut
1 Tbls melted coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
a couple squirts agave

I put the coconut into my food processor and turned it on. I let it process for about 5 mins stopping once to scrape down the sides. Then I added in 1 Tbls melted coconut oil, 1/2 tsp vanilla and a couple squirts Agave. Started it back up and let it go for about 7-10 more mins stopping periodically to scrape the sides. 

 This is what it looked like at the end.. 

it still has a little texture, so it's not smooth like regular butter. but it's oh so yummy!! and instead of costing me almost 10 bucks, the coconut cost me about $5 for a lb. I had all the other stuff in my cupboard!

2 cups made 1 pint of butter.

I made a dip of Chocolate PB2 and Coconut butter to dip my banana in and OH. MY. HOLY. GOODNESS!!! 

But that's a post for another day! 

OX Sherice

SouthWest Chicken Salad

Hey Peeps ~

I hope everyone one's Mother's day was beautiful like mine! Around our house we feel that everyday is a day to celebrate mom's and dad's so we never really do anything extra exciting. Other than maybe I don't spend all day doing the usual chores and cooking. I love to cook so I really don't mind it!

Today I got up, had my coffee on the deck will being serenaded by the birds and being snuggled by Marley, all the while Mr. Sunshine warmed me!

Then I made Mexican egg wraps, which I LOVE!! I just can't get enough of these. It's so easy and super delicious. I need to get some whole wheat tortillas. That's the only thing that always makes me feel like I'm not eating as I should. But I'm human.

I use...
2-3 tsp Taco seasoning
4 egg whites
2 whole eggs 
small flour tortillas
hot sauce or salsa
Scramble eggs with seasoning and put in shells just like a burrito or taco. I add salsa, a little cheese, cilantro, and Fage yogurt to mine..but it varies.. variety IS the spice of life, Right!! 
This makes about 4 wraps, enough to feed the hubs and I, 2 egg wraps ea.

Then I did some "around the house" stuff ya know... the usual suspects.. dishes, laundry, bathing! Then it was off to visit with my mom for a bit and then get a workout in!
Here's my workout for ya! Do 3 sets!

 Once I killed my workout! Yes I'm guilty!! I came home and made some delicious gluten free, vegan oatmeal choc chip cookies.

So yummy and did I mention Healthy!

At Chili's they have a southwest quesadilla chicken salad with a cilantro vinaigrette that is the only thing I ever get from there, minus the quesadilla ( trying to be healthy, ya know) So I thought I'd try to recreate it at home..

Sherice's SouthWest Chicken salad

Chicken Marinade 
1/4 tsp chipotle powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin.. I love cumin
1-2 cloves garlic minced
about 1/3 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
 I put all ingredients into my Magic Bullet and give it a whirl!! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this little machine!!

Cilantro lime vinaigrette
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup EVOO
1-2 Tbls fresh squeezed lime juice.. I used 3 and it was perfect but I like lime
1 Tbls red wine vinegar
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
once again I used my Magic bullet! put all ingredients in and give it a whirl!
put in jar and put in fridge. Let sit for about 30 mins so flavors can marry before using

then I grilled the chicken and sliced it up, and added it on some romaine added corn kernals, black beans, black olives, a little cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes and some crushed up corn tortilla chips on top. Then added the 2-3 Tbls of the dressing. DELICIOUS!!

 now I'm having the same thing tonight for dinner and a cold Stella.

Happy Mother's Day!!
oxox Sherice

Laundry Soap Update

Hey~

Remember a while back I posted about making some laundry soap and fabric softener. http://foodieluvsfitness.blogspot.com/2011/12/laundry-soap-recipe-and-something-else.html
well I'm happy to report that my family's clothes are clean and smelling great, even my sweaty workout clothes,  I sweat A LOT and my husbands work clothes. I'd say that the recipe I made (which I tripled) lasted me about 2 mos.. I will no longer be buying store laundry soap or fabric softener!

well isn't that the truth!!

Today this is what I did....

40 Jumping Jacks
50 Russian twist w/ 15 lb kettlebell (1st rd) 10 lb kb (2nd rd)
30 Bicycles
15 Hanging Knee Raises
10 Jack knife Situps
5 Jump Squats
10 side to side jumps
15 sec High Knees
15 sec Butt Kicks
30 sec Jump Rope
20 Squats w/ 20 lb KB
20 Bird dogs
15 sec Superman.. hold for 15 sec
20 side Lunges ( 10 ea leg)
10 standing calf raises
30 Jumping Jacks
5 kneeling pushups
10 tricep dips

Now DO IT AGAIN!!! My time for this was right about 30 mins.. I wanted to do another round but knew I'd regret it.... I'd like to move tomorrow :)
Enjoy

Sherice ox

Light Whole Wheat baguette

Hey!

Yesterday it was very wet and rainy. Which was nice. I'm from the Pacific Northwest where it rains all the time, living on the other side of the mountains is a lot different. In Spokane we get more snow and hotter temps in the summer. It's very dry around here. But this winter has been mild and the rain is a refreshing change from snow!
Being cold and wet out I of course knew I would be making a yummy pot of soup. I settled on Green Lentil and I remembered seeing a Light Whole Wheat Baguette recipe on www.pinterest.com. I love that site! I really like the recipes and the D.I.Y. stuff.

I made the recipe and it's really good and was really easy to make as well.

Here's the link for the recipe.... http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2011/01/light-whole-wheat-baguette.html

this took me about 5 mins to mix up and the rest is just rising time.. I got about 6 smaller loaves out of this recipe. I made 3 and put 2 in freezer and 1 in fridge, which I will most likely make tonight to go with my salad. You most likely will have to get your hands "dirty" :) just get the dough mixed and let it rise... that's all there is to it.

I  love to eat healthy. And I'm glad that I notice the difference. I Don't all the time, I fall of the health wagon too now and again. But I get back on track too. You can't have that defeatist attitude. You know what I'm talking about "oh, now I might as well eat the whole bag and have pizza for dinner."
You just need to say "this moment I can change it."

When I started out on my "Healthy Journey" as I call it. I was no more educated about this stuff than you or the next guy. I did all the research myself. I read books.. a few I really enjoyed that are along the same lines is.. Jillian Michaels Master your Metabolism.. this is a super in depth (on the nerdy side), book about hormones and your endocrin system and how environment and what we put into our bodies does to them. Also Jackie Warner's Book This is Why Your Fat and How to Stay Thin Forever.
This book touches on the same topics as Master your Metabolism but on a less in depth scale. This book also has a full chapter dedicated to sugar and how bad it is for us. It really is worthless!!  I started doing research online.

Then I wanted to join a gym but knew that I wouldn't be successful unless I felt comfortable. Right!! I've belonged to other gyms and found myself standing around feeling like a moron having no clue what to do. This time I had a game plan. I joined my local Gold's Gym and I also hired a trainer once a month. She trained me and the wrote down what I was supposed to be doing when I was at the gym. How convenient!! I did that for about a yr. During that time I became very familiar with the gym and working out. I then started checking out workout videos on youtube and stumbled upon Bodyrock.tv. I then started doing there workouts. I was feeling like "If this is what I want to do and I want people to pay me to help them, then I should be able to do it on my own" So I split up with my trainer and I now do it by myself. I do get inspiration from watching workout videos and looking at magazines. And for now that's how it will have to be.. Until I get that elusive job and start working towards a personal trainers certification. Helping people with their weight, diet and out look on life are what I really want to be doing. Slowly but surely :)

Enough of me yammering on.. talk to ya later
Sherice ox

You will be surprised at how your body changes and adapts to what you put into it. I realize that eating less bread makes me feel better, I've replaced a lot of bread with Ezekiel sprouted grain bread. At first it took a bit of getting used to, But now I really like it. It's got a chewy kind of after bite to it.. Sounds weird, I know but give it a try. I like that my body wants water, nice cold water. I love the stuff and have it with me at all times.. no joke! I have a great 24oz BPA Nathan's water bottle I take everywhere.
I like that I crave fresh, delicious, vegetables, salads, and roasted veggies. Eating this way makes me feel, lighter, healthier, less weighted down. I think we've all felt that feeling. That's what unhealthy, fatty, starchy foods make you feel like. I can for sure tell the difference between eating a pile of mashed potatoes and gravy and a salad with a light oil based dressing on the side!! With the mashed potatoes, I'm sluggish and want to take a nap, with the salad I'm ready for a nice hike or something else active.
If you don't understand what I'm talking about than I challenge you to get a notebook and start journaling what your eating, how your feeling about it after wards, physically, mentally, emotionally. Then start switching up things, more fruits and veggies, less starchy breads and potatoes. more water and less carbonated soft drinks. Less cheese, dips and sauces. Use more lemon juice, fruit juices, spices, peppers, Celtic or sea salt instead of reg table salt. less processed foods and more fresh foods. no chips, cookies, candies. Trade them for nuts, dried fruit, Dark chocolate pieces.

Okay, I think you get the point. :)