Balsamic chickpeas and couscous

Delicious and easy!!!! I have made the balsamic chickpeas before and put them in a salad, as well as, ate them as a snack.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Can of chickpeas…rinsed and drained –> set aside

Whisk together in a small bowl:
2 tbsp of olive oil
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp basil dried
1/2 tsp oregano dried
1/2 tsp thyme dried
1/2 tsp rosemary dried
1 tsp salt…I use sea salt

Add in chickpeas and toss

Place coated chickpeas on lined baking sheet and cook for 30-40 mins. Stir 1/2 way during cooking.

I put this batch with garlic couscous and feta cheese. Delicious!!!!

Portabella pizza…yummy and VERY low cal!!!

I found a delicious recipe that I just had to try tonight. Luckily a trip to the grocery store was in the plan this evening so I was able to grab all that I needed:
– portabella mushroom caps (stem removed, and washed)
– raw spinach leaves
– spaghetti sauce
– shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)
-Italian seasonings
-ground black pepper

I arranged the ingredients in order, as listed above, on a foil lined cookie sheet.

Place in a 400 degrees preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Because mushrooms hold water, be aware that when cooked they will release the water. I just take them off cookie sheet as soon as I take them out of oven.

Enjoy!!!!

MyFitnessPal food diary calculated this to be between 65-100 calories per cap depending on the size!

Please share any variations you do!

“Moo”ve over meat

Tomorrow will officially mark 3 weeks the hubs and I have been meat free. I have also given up chose not to eat, for the most part eggs and dairy. I do not scrutinize labels, but if it mostly egg or dairy, count me out. Let me tell ya, I have never felt better. I have lost 7 lbs, sleep great every night, wake up energized and I never hit that 2pm slump. To make it even better, my 3 month old daughter, whom I nurse, has not projectiled spit up since the dietary switch.

It was suggested to me to watch “Forks over Knives” ummmm….if you never want to eat an animal byproduct again…watch this documentary. I highly suggested it for everyone. I had no idea some of the side effects of meat, dairy and eggs. WOW!!!!

What is so fantastic…the food we eat now. So many choices and yummy flavors. My evening cooking is like a fun science experiment. All the new things I have tried. I am so lucky and blessed to have a husband that will try anything I cook at least once. If he doesn’t like it, he kindly requests that I do not make that again. BUT at least he tries it. I can’t wait to see my blood work next time I visit the doctor.

I would love to share my recipes or you share yours!!!! Here’s to a great lifestyle of eating good for you foods!!! now I just need to find the time to workout! That’s a topic for another day!