Oven Roasted Veggies

Going completely against locavore philosophy, I roasted some sweet potatoes with zucchini (as well as garlic, onion, and fresh oregano). Zucchini are not in season, yet my local grocery still offers them. I decided to buy some and roast them with my sweet potatoes.

Roasted Vegetables

2 sweet potatoes, cut into half moons

1 zucchini squash,sliced into rounds

Garlic cloves (as many as you prefer...I like a lot because they become soft and have an amazing flavor when roasted)

1/4 cup fresh oregano

1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Bragg's Organic Sprinkle

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Cut vegetables into desired shape. Place veggies along with peeled garlic cloves into a baking dish (I used a glass one). Pour melted coconut oil over the veggies and garlic and mix thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle seasoning and oregano on veggies and mix again. Place in oven for about 25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.


Today I did a super quick 10 minute workout. I have finals for my dietetics program right now so that is all I had time for! I did body weight exercises and some cardio. I'm working towards building muscle and not being skinny fat anymore so weight exercises are very important.

What is your favorite quick exercise?

Do you do exercises with weights? Do you prefer body weight exercises or free weights? 

Pumpkin Chili

 

I LOVE Game of Thrones.

I also love pumpkin.

Not really pumpkin flavored things because I avoid chemicals, additives, and refined sugar...but I do love pumpkin.

 

So for all you pumpkin lovers out there, here is a savory pumpkin recipe to change it up from all those pumpkin spice lattes you're drinking from Starbucks =]

 

 

Pumpkin Chili

Vegan, Gluten Free

4 cups low sodium vegetable broth

2 cups water

1 can pureed pumpkin (organic if possible, NOT pie filling)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (can substitute chickpeas. I have before and it was great)

1 bell pepper, diced (or for convenience use 1 cup of frozen bell pepper onion mix)

1/2 onion, diced

1 cup fresh or frozen organic corn  

4 red skinned potatoes, chopped

1 tbsp oil of choice (I use coconut)

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp Bragg's Organic Sprinkle

2 tsp ground chili or cayenne pepper

Place onions or frozen bell pepper mix if using into a large pot over medium heat with 2 tbsp of the vegetable broth. Saute until onions are translucent. Add corn and saute for 2 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetable broth, water, and potatoes as well as the seasonings. Turn heat up and cover until potatoes are tender. Add pumpkin puree and beans and cook another 5 minutes over medium heat.

 

 

Another Smoothie Recipe!

I have been drinking smoothies daily still and it seems to have improved my energy and digestion. I try to start my day with a smoothie, and for the past 2 weeks a smoothie with Shakeology in it, but yesterday I was back home from traveling and I was tired. I chose to eat in the morning instead of making a smoothie but then I wasn't very hungry at dinner. I decided to have my smoothie then.


Tropical Mango Green Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (from the carton, not canned)
1 cup water
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup baby spinach
1 packet/serving vegan Tropical Shakeology or 1 scoop plant protein powder (optional)
Blend and enjoy!!!

I would like to add that I am wanting to only drop a couple pounds but I am working to build muscle. I have never been able to build a lot but I am determined now. I have Brazil Butt Lift Master Series and TurboFire from Beachbody as well as I work out with weights and do cardio on my own at home and occasionally at the gym. I think I will start logging workouts as well as my progress here.