Juicing...

So the boyfriend bought a juicer a couple months ago and since then he drinks juice about 4 times a week. He doesn't really like a lot of vegetables and definitely doesn't eat enough fruit. So we figured this was the best way to make sure both of us is getting what we need.

We have tried a bunch of different concoctions but I generally make the same one all the time. 

We'll call it the Lean Green Juice. 

This one doesn't have any of the green vegetables that make you think you're drinking a salad.

During our juicing experiment we have discovered the boyfriend is pretty allergic to Kale. Random. 

So I like to stick with this one.

It's just a couple handfuls of spinach, two carrots, and 3 small apples. 

For more of the green color throw in some more spinach. I swear you cannot taste the spinach at all. The apple really sweetens it up.

I have also tried apple and carrot together and it's really good. Or orange and carrot. The boyfriend is worried we're going to turn orange because I use carrot in everything!

Tuesday Topics: 5 Recipes!

Hello Hello! It's another week of Tuesday Topics and today it's 5 recipes.

These are all Pinterest recipes that I have SUCCESSFULLY made...I say successfully because every once in awhile there is that Pinterest fail.

1. Mini Chocolate Chip Puffins

via: Baker Girl

They're like chocolate chip pancakes but in muffin form. They even have maple syrup. I'm telling you these little things are amazing and addictive.

2. Chocolate Mint Truffle Cookies

via: Lauren's Latest

These were really good. I used Andes mints because I couldn't find the Mint Truffle Hershey Kisses...they were a little too minty for the boyfriend so I might suggest cutting back a little bit if you have to make the same substitution.

3. Peanut Butter Cookies with Homemade Honey Roasted Peanut Butter

via: Kevin and Amanda

These were so good. I looove this blog she always has such amazing recipes and gets to travel all over the place...color me jealous...

4. Oreo Brownies

Picture via: Cup of Jo

There really isn't a recipe for this. I just made my favorite Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Brownies and just threw oreos in between two layers of batter. So good. Like seriously make these now if you haven't already.

5. Sopapilla Cheesecake

Via: My Yellow Umbrella

I made these when I was craving something super sweet and didn't have any cocoa powder or chocolate chips on hand. They did not disappoint my craving. They're so simple but taste awesome.

In other news...my Christmas tree is up! I also have lights outside...Yay for Christmas! Back with pictures tomorrow.

Jambalaya! Or something close to it...

So this week I'm trying to cook better meals. More vegetables less processed food. I always try to meal plan and usually stick some comfort food in there a couple times. But this week it was all about fresh ingredients!

Yesterday was Jambalaya day! I got a paleo recipe off of pinterest and was going to use that but instead ended up doing my own thing.

Good thing it was pretty good. Next time I would add chicken or maybe shrimp (unfortunately the bf doesn't like seafood).

I made it in the crockpot so I kind of just threw mostly everything together and let it cook all day.

Crockpot Jambalaya

4 cups of chicken broth/stock
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes with juice
4 peppers of any color, diced
1 onion, diced
2 Tbsp Louisana hot sauce
1 Tbsp Creole seasoning
14 oz smoked sausage

Put everything except the sausage in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours. About 30 minutes to an hour before it's done add the sausage. I then cooked my rice separately and just mixed it in with everything when I was ready to serve.

I loved how pretty all my peppers looked

I had barely started adding the rice at this point...it smelled amazing

All done...it was a little soupy but the rice absorbed the excess.

The boyfriend really liked it and he is a SUPER picky eater so it's a winner for now! But like I said next time I'll either double the sausage or add chicken.

5 Foods

Last bit of Debbie Downer-ness I promise. So I got sick at the end of last week and am still battling it. So let's just put last week in the "fail" column.

Anyways, today is another 10 Day You Challenge! Here are my five favorite foods.

1. Obasan Food 

I'm quarter Japanese. My grandma was born and raised in Japan, met and married my Grandpa when he was stationed over there. She's always been very committed to her heritage/culture. Needless to say she makes the best food. Fried rice, tempura, teriyaki, sushi, heck even her white rice tastes amazing.

2. Mexican Food/Green Chile

Being raised in the Southwest I love me some Mexican food especially when it's smothered with green chile. More specifically, Hatch green chile. Chimichangas, tacos, burritos, tostadas, enchildas, sopaipila...ugh I'm getting hungry.

3. Apple Cake

Dessert counts right? My other grandmother had the best recipe for Apple Cake that I think I duplicate pretty well. I even won a baking contest using it. But since it's a family recipe my parents wouldn't let me give the contest the real recipe (hope no one tried to make it..whoops).

4. Mom's Spaghetti

My mom makes the best spaghetti hands down. My parents actually used to compete against each other. Being the only child I was the only judge. Yep I stayed neutral as long as possible.

5. Dad's Chili

I love a hearty bowl of chili with crackers when it's cold outside. My dad may have lost the spaghetti war but he definitely makes really good chili. 

I'll be back tomorrow with something new!