Break Time!

My computer is experiencing an illness, so I'm on a break, right now. Hopefully it will be short term.

Motivation Monday

30 Minute Rolls

Originally from Real Mom Kitchen, I got this recipe from Your Homebased Mom.  These rolls were yummy, quick and easy.  Everybody loved them. They weren't as smooth looking as the ones on Your Homebased Mom, but I'm betting they were just as yummy. The original recipe is below and may changes in blue.




30 Minute Rolls
1 C plus 2 Tbsp warm water
1/3 C oil
2 Tbsp yeast
1/4 C sugar (I used a tad less)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
3 1/2 C bread flour (I used mostly whole wheat pastry flour mixed with some white whole wheat flour that I had left over in the pantry from Xmas.)

Go to  this page at Real Mom Kitchen for the rest of the recipe.

Recipe from Real Mom Kitchen

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Today is may 1st. I can't believe it's come so quickly.  So today is May 1st, and it's also my 1 year anniversary of being meat free.

I have been reflecting on this year without meat and I had lots of random thoughts. I have listed some of them here.

I never would have thought  a southern bacon loving girl like me could be a vegetarian, but it turns out I can.

I feel better physically since going meat free and have had virtually no stomach problems in that time. This is huge for me because I have had tummy issues my whole life...even as a small child.

I still cook meat for my boys, but they eat way less red meat than they used to, and I buy only grass fed beef that is not plump with hormones. I like the smell still of a good roast or a steak and, yes, bacon (OMG!), but I have no desire to actually eat it. I think you can actually lose a taste for something... maybe.

I realise now that I am free of lots of processed foods and all their additives and chemicals, that I can actually taste foods' real flavors. It's really amazing how different food tastes to me now...how much better!  It's true.

I lost 30 # last year going vegetarian and exercising.

I have made many positive changes towards better health for me and my family this past year.  Two of my kids even ate salad yesterday and liked it! Wonders never cease... I see my children making better, healthier choices every day, and I can't help but think that it's not due to me and my husband's healthier lifestyle choices that we are modeling for them. 

Overall, because I am feeling better, and because I have made exercising a part of my lifestyle, I am more active on a daily basis. I don't like just "sitting around" very much, and I try to get out everyday to at least walk a little bit.

I have become more knowledgeable about healthy foods and nutrition in general, and I have begun accumulating some really good vegetarian recipes. Some I even made up on my own.

I look forward to even more positive, healthy outcomes throughout this next year.



G is for Grilled Portabello Mushroom Wrapini

 One of the best vegetarian wraps I've ever had out in a restaurant was Jason's Deli's grilled portabello mushroom wrapini. Unfortunately, after having had this scrumptious wrapini only once, Jason's took it off the menu. I found this description somewhere on the web (not sure where), but it's from an old Jason's Deli menu.  "The Grilled Portabello Mushroom Wrapini features the glorious mushroom marinated in our Italian dressing. The wrap is loaded with homemade guacamole and pico de gallo along with organic spinach and asiago cheese. Fabulous! "  I hated to think I couldn't get this wrapini any more so I  set out to make my own version. Here's what I cam up with:

Grilled Portabello Mushroom Wrapini
(Copycat version by me)

*1 package pre sliced portabello mushroom or 1 large portabello sliced 1/4 inch thick

*marinade of your choice (I used fat free zesty Italian. Next time I'll use Lowry's Garlic & Herb marinade- the zesty Italian was good, but I have had the Lowry's on grilled veggies before and really like it.I think it would be better.)

*1/2 c sweet onion thin slices, caramelized

*whole wheat tortillas

*Trader Joe's Guacamole Hummus

*pico de gallo or salsa of choice (pico is best)

*spinach leaves

*shredded cheese of choice (asiago, white cheddar, Italian blend, etc.)

*sour cream (optional)



Marinade mushrooms for an hour or so in the marinade of your choice. Meanwhile, cut up the onion and caramelize it.  Grill or pan saute the mushrooms.

To assemble: spread 1 Tbsp or so of guacamole hummus (more or less as you see fit) in the center of a tortilla. I also use a little lite sour cream (optional). Next layer half of the warmed mushrooms and onions, saving the other half for the next day's lunch or dinner. Top with a little salsa or pico de gallo, shredded cheese of choice, and spinach leaves. Roll tortilla like you would a burrito or enchilada and enjoy!

Review: Very close to the original.  I will use the Lowry's next time. Loved using the guacamole hummus as opposed to just plain guacamole, because of the added protein from the chickpeas. I always try to get in extra protein whenever possible. Play around with this wrap and make it your own. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Hungry Hungry Shannon

Do you remember ever playing a game called Hungry, Hungry Hippos? You played it trying to make your hippo gobble up as many little balls as you could.  If your hippo ate the most, you were a winner. I never thought about it till now, but a silly game that rewards the winner who eats the most seems like bad precedent to set to me.

I am hungry...diet hungry, as some might say. I'm trying to lower my portions and keep my whole grains and fruits to 2 a day. It's all a part of me trying to get myself out of this plateau situation that I'm in. I'm going to 2 whole grains and 2 fruits because that's how I did it in phase 2 of the South  Beach Diet that I followed successfully (at least for awhile) several years ago. I have a sugar problem so I feel like limiting the amount of fruits and whole grains will be helpful to me.  I am a carb lover.

I started thinking about hunger in relation to dieting. I don't like the feeling, but is it helpful for dieters?  I don't know.  Dr Joel Fuhrman posted  recently on Facebook  that "Hunger is the best sauce. You will enjoy what you eat more, when you do not overeat because then you will be hungry for and better enjoy the next meal."  To me it seems like hunger would make you want to overeat, because you would be soooo hungry when you get to the next meal, that you want to eat more. I guess small frequent snacks/meals are a way to combat this as well as making sure to eat some kind of protein with each meal. Sometimes if I get hungry in between meals, a warm  1/2 cup of some left over homemade soup will sometimes 'fill me up" and get me through, especially between lunch and dinner which is my longest stretch.  Hunger in the evening is hard for me right now because I am trying not to eat anything past 730 or so. I  drink hot tea and chew sugar free gum to try to help.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I stay up late so that's probably not helping either. So, what I'm left with is good old fashioned will power. That puts the responsibility back on me, I guess.

So, when I'm done with all my eating for the day, I'll just have to be hungry, hungry Shannon...at least till my body adjusts to less.

So what are your tips and tricks for staving off hunger?

I'm on a muffin kick. They are just so easy to make and so great to have as snacks and quick breakfasts for the kiddos. While my last two muffin posts, yummy blueberry muffins  and  Best Apple Oatmeal Muffins Ever are my own delicious concoctions (and yes, you should try them), this one is from Lindsay at happyherbivore.com These chocolate zucchini muffins are pretty darn good, and I enjoyed them even though I'm not really a chocolate lover. They smelled fabulous while they were cooking too. I always love it when my kids come home and I hear, "Yum, Mom. What are you making today? It smells sooo good." 

I first heard about this recipe from my sister, Tricia, a few weeks ago. I debated on making these muffins because of the zucchini. I thought my kids would never eat them. Honestly, my other sister, Jennie, was right when she told me that you can't even taste the zucchini.  I certainly didn't.   It will be interesting to see if my kids notice it's in there.  I don't think they'll taste the zucchini, but they might see the shreds. I added 1/4 c mini chocolate chips to the muffins as my sister suggested...definitely a good add-in. I can't wait to hear the kids' feedback on this one. 

Post muffin tasting:   A success! No one noticed the zucchini, and only DH asked what was in them.  These were the comments I got:

"pretty good"           "top notch"         "great"

 "Wo!  These are awesome!" 

So, try Lindsay's muffins.  You'll be glad you did. I certainly will be making them again! 

***While everyone liked these zucchini chocolate muffins, the household favorite remains my best ever apple oatmeal muffins with my yummy blueberry muffins our second favorite.  Go mom!***