Tag: healthy eating

Recipes and Cooking

My Mama’s Goulash

Brandi C

My Mama's Goulash

My Mama’s Goulash

My Mama’s Goulash recipe is one that evokes such sweet memories in my whole body. When I looked up how to make goulash, this weird thing popped up. It had noodles and a red sauce. In my mind I was thinking that that is not goulash, that is a pasta dish. I made it, super excited because I thought my memories might have been off and this would be similar to hers.

News flash.

It wasn’t. I mean it was good but it wasn’t what I remembered it to be. What I remembered was ground beef and thinly sliced potatoes. After that, I had no idea. I just remember I loved it and it fed all of us. We weren’t rolling in the money growing up, so my Oak could stretch any and everything to make sure her family was fed.

Calling the Calvary

After much looking, searching, and several attempts later, I finally called my Oak. I told her I had been craving goulash and for the life of me, I couldn’t remember the magic that she concocted. There was a distinct silence followed by laughter. She gently explained that it was ground beef, thin sliced potatoes, and brown gravy. That was it. There was nothing more and nothing less. Again, silence. I tried to explain there was something there that was just magical. Maybe it was cooking with love that made it taste so good. I made it like she told me, my family ate it all up with no leftovers. Of course, it didn’t taste exactly like hers but it was pretty close. I have “adultified” this meal and it is just as good.

Without further ado…

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 onion

Potatoes, peeled and washed

Fresh mushrooms

Minced Garlic

Seasoning

2 packets gluten free brown gravy mix

1 c. water

Bacon grease (if you have it) or a dash of oil

3 T butter

Spinach, chopped**

Green, red, or yellow peppers, chopped **

Zucchini, chopped**

Directions

Cook your ground beef, seasoning, onion, mushrooms (and other veggies), and minced garlic. Drain and put in a bowl. I use an electric skillet, so I reuse this. In that same skillet, throw in your bacon grease (or oil) and butter. Thinly slice your potatoes and place them, in one layer, in the skillet (I had to do 2 batches). Cook until soft. Remove onto a paper towel lined plate.

Put the ground beef back in the pan and add the gf brown gravy mix and water. Mix well. Add back in potatoes and veggies. Use a spatula to make sure the potatoes are covered in the meat/gravy mixture. The spatula will help your potatoes keep their shape and not break.

Serve while hot.

**These things are optional and what I would like to try at some point.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, Guest Blogger

To Care for Others, First Care for Yourself

Brandi C

To Care for Others, First Care for Yourself

To Care for Others, First Care for Yourself

 

We are all walking our paths, and the road to healing isn’t always easy. We all need to remember that to help others, we must first ensure that we are maintaining our light and keeping ourselves mentally sound. In other words, To Care for Others, First Care for Yourself. Here are some tips for keeping your mental energy in the right spectrum and walking the path of healing as we move into 2021:

Heal your mind.

Mental health and self-care practices are two sides of the same coin. Numerous studies and research indicate the connection between self-care and mental health. Self-care is the act of increasing self-awareness, which includes cognitive processes. Practicing self-care can then help you recognize your emotional patterns. This means that when you become more self-aware, you can avoid the things that make you feel bad and recognize the things that make you feel more relaxed or calm, so you seek those things out.

Another way to take that step toward healing your mind is to assess your goals and how you can accomplish them. Focusing on the result of your mental health journey can be helpful, especially if you break the journey into smaller steps that you can surmount.

Heal your sleep.

Sleep is a massive part of your physical health, but it can help you maintain a mental balance, so striving to get an entire sleep cycle every night should be included in your self-care routine.

Cultivating a space conducive to good, quality rest is essential to creating a healthy sleep schedule. It will help if you transform your bedroom into a sleep-inducing space by using comfortable sheets and pillows, avoiding light disruption, and keeping the noise down. In addition, starting a pre-sleep routine (e.g., having nighttime tea, reading a book, dimming the lights, etc.) can help signal your body that it’s time to rest.

Heal your body.

Mental and physical health is inextricably linked. Eating healthy foods as part of a well-balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and exercising are all ways to get your physical health in the right place — and they all provide a crucial component of mental health. Practicing good eating habits and a regular daily exercise regimen is part of self-care.

Heal your home.

An integral part of self-care is the maintenance of the environment around you. Creating a sanctuary out of your home is essential to finding inner peace and re-calibrating, even when the world seems unwelcoming.

Creating a positive atmosphere at home is essential in the healing process. Decluttering, cleaning, and letting fresh air into your home can help you make the kind of sanctuary that will go a long way toward getting your mental energy in the right place.

There is a connection between clutter and the stress hormone, Cortisol. In other words, when your space is too messy, negative thoughts can spike. So keeping your area clean and clutter-free contributes to the positive vibes you need.

Heal your connections.

Staying in touch with the people you love most is also a form of self-care, especially for families. Spending quality time with family strengthens bonds and helps keep you connected, even when it takes place virtually. The most significant part of maintaining close connections comes from making friends and family a priority and putting time and energy into those relationships.

Focus on you to focus on others.

Use these healing tips to emphasize self-care and your mental health journey. Once you are healthy and whole, you can turn your attention to others who may need help in this area.

For more faith-based, family-centric content, visit barefootfaithjourney.com.

 

Recipes and Cooking

The Most Disturbing Recipe EVER

Brandi C

The Most Disturbing Recipe EVERThe Most Disturbing Recipe EVER

Oh. My.  Goodness. This is, hands down, The Most Disturbing Recipe EVER. I love cheese. Indeed, it is my friend, my best friend to be exact. I eat cheese almost daily. When stressed, I eat Parmesan with a spoon out of the container.

It’s a problem.

We all know that.

Life Changes

So, knowing that H now has to go gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, and taste-free has upset me terribly. How am I going to make my soup? Seriously? How am I going to FUNCTION???

I am being dramatic, I know this…but oddly, I am serious.

To try, I stumbled upon the Minimalist Baker website. She has a beautiful site with simple vegan recipes. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try the Vegan Parmesan recipe.

4 Ingredients.

That is just four ingredients and a food processor. I was blown away. Those who know and love Parmesan see that it has that nutty taste. This recipe tastes not exactly like it but pretty darn close.

How-To

3/4 c. unsalted cashews

3 T. Nutritional Yeast

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 tsp. kosher salt (any can be used)

Pulse all ingredients in a food processor. If you pulse too long, you will release the oils of the cashews, and it can get clumpy. So, in order to prevent that, pulse then stop; pulse then stop type of thing until you get the desired consistency. Store in a container or a baggie.

Dude

I need a nap after this, for real. I’m making Chicken Parmesan tonight, and I will sprinkle this on top to see if anyone can tell the difference.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Kale Chips

Brandi C

Kale Chips

Kale Chips

1 large bag of kale (you can get the kind you pick off the stalk, but that’s a pain in the butt)

No stick spray

Kosher salt (some people use Seasoning Salt)

Directions

Preheat the oven 350.  Wash kale (if it isn’t prewashed) and pat dry.  Place on a cookie sheet.  Spray with no-stick spray.  Sprinkle with kosher salt.  Flip over the leaf and repeat the process.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven, flip and cook for another 10 minutes.

This is an easy, healthy, low-carb recipe that everyone will love.  Kale chips could replace traditional chips!  These are not very good the next day, as they get soggy or stale.  Also, they take on the consistency and taste of whatever you pack with them.  That is if you fill your lunch for school or work.  It never lasts too long at my house.  My kids and I will gobble them up quickly.  Nowadays, they make kale chips.  I prefer to make them because I know exactly what goes on in them.  There is nothing hidden.  I may even try to sprinkle some parmesan on them because who doesn’t love parmesan!

Kale chips are one of those surprisingly delicious snacks that make healthy eating fun. What I love about making them myself is that I get to control the ingredients. It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t require much effort, but the end result is crispy, salty, and satisfying. The key to getting them just right is to ensure they’re evenly coated with no-stick spray and salt. I love experimenting with different flavors, like adding a sprinkle of parmesan, or even a little garlic powder for an extra kick. Kale chips are perfect for anyone looking for a crunchy, low-carb alternative to traditional chips. They’re ideal for a quick snack or even a side dish to any meal. The best part? They’re always fresh when made at home, and they never last long in our house. The crispiness fades quickly, so you want to enjoy them as soon as they’re done.

 

Recipes and Cooking

Cabbage Steaks

Brandi C

Cabbage Steaks

Cabbage Steaks

1 head cabbage (peel off outer layer)

2 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp coconut oil

Seasoning

Directions

Cut cabbage (including core), starting at one end, into 1″ steaks.  Place on a cookie sheet.  Rub with the smashed garlic clove (or you can use minced).

Using a pastry brush, brush with oil and sprinkle with seasoning.  Flip steak with a spatula and do the same on the other side.

Roast at 400 for 30 minutes.  Flip and roast for another 30 minutes.

Healthy eating does not have to be painful, but it can smell horrible, LOL.  Cabbage stinks, no matter what, but eating well with an easy recipe matters.

This is not my cup of tea.  Frankly, I think cooked cabbage smells like butt.  Yet, Big Daddy loves it when I do this for him, so I do it often.  Also, I have found other cabbage (keto-friendly and low carb) that he enjoys.  I’m sure his co-workers are so excited when I make that for his lunches because it makes the office smell so inviting!  LOL.  At least I don’t have to smell it every day.  Cook it once.  Clean up the kitchen immediately.  Pack it in reusable lunch containers and send it on.

Cabbage Steaks are an easy, healthy dish, even if they don’t always have the most pleasant smell while cooking. The simplicity of the recipe makes it a quick go-to when you’re looking to eat something low carb and keto-friendly. While cabbage might not be my favorite vegetable to cook, it’s a hit with Big Daddy. I love that I can roast the cabbage with a bit of garlic and coconut oil, and he enjoys it every time. The crispy edges and tender interior of the cabbage steaks give a satisfying texture, and the seasoning adds great flavor without being overpowering. Although I might not be a fan of the aroma, it’s always worth it to see Big Daddy’s smile when he enjoys his meal. Plus, the leftovers are easy to pack for work and perfect for meal prepping!

Calories:  53