Healthy Eating

Guarding Against Gluttony In Our Lives

May 6, 2011 by Courtney 8 Comments

Janelle, from Comfy In The Kitchen, has been my Friday guest now for 8 straight months! Some of you have written and asked – “how does Janelle stay so thin when she cooks such tasty homemade food?”

Janelle’s answer “moderation“. Below she openly shares her struggles with food and what she does when it starts to take over her life.

“A lot of gluttony is born of boredom. Life is not satisfying or stimulating, relationships feel empty, and work is boring, but food is always there and tastes so good.” -John Piper

Janelle writes: Here are some photos I have taken over the past 2 weeks …

Here are my groceries!!!! Oh wow…where is the coffee? Diet Coke? Doritos? I left them back at the grocery store, haha. Out of sight, out of mind.

The past 2 weeks we have “downed” a lot of smoothies! I would actually prefer a smoothie to a milkshake at this point(here’s my recipe)!

I opted for a spinach salad instead of a heavy sandwich at Subway. I made my own dressing with a little olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and pepper. I felt full…and better yet, had no guilt.

My favorite salad for lunch..again I make my own dressing then add beans, corn, and salsa.

Candace’s Asparagus, whole wheat pasta with Grandma Ruth’s sauce.

I am laughing right now…this is tofu turkey (“Tofuturkey”) if you will, with brown rice and veggies. I am not a tofu lover, but my husband was really craving some meat so I made this for him. I ate this without the meatless meat, lol. ( I will not make you eat this)

Ladies, I am certain I will continue to post about delicious desserts..and just about anything that tastes good, lol. However, moderation is key to a successful eating plan. If you we are going to splurge-we should enjoy it, drop the guilt, make our next food choice wise and run the extra mile the next day (literally). I really hope I am making sense here and not being contradictory….For me, giving up sweets for life just wouldn’t happen. Allowing myself a treat here and there keeps me on a straight path.

Love to you!

Janelle

Janelle and I are taking part in the “65 Days to Reshaping It All” challenge. Janelle was a guest there last week and I will be guest posting there this coming week. The 65 days have only just begun – so if you need some accountability in the area of your eating habits – please join us there (my guest post will be about more than just our physical eating habits but our spiritual ones too!)! You do not have to own the “Reshaping It All” book to join us and you know me – I LOVE ACCOUNTABILITY (like the Good Morning Girls - which by the way are enrolling right now for the summer session!) because IT WORKS!

Walk with the King!

If you are looking for more recipes or have one to share – visit Janelle’s link-up today!

You can follow Janelle on her own blog Comfy In The Kitchen or on Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in Titus 2sdays, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam recipe exchanges. I am also linked up to Raising Homemakers Weds. link up and Works For Me Wednesday! For more blogger recipes go to these links.

Filed Under: Comfy In The Kitchen, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, Recipes

65 Days To Reshaping It All

April 30, 2011 by Courtney 18 Comments

I’m super excited to participate in this 65 day challenge to Reshaping It All!

Candace Cameron Bure (formerly known as DJ on Full House) and Darlene Schacht released the book Reshaping It All this past January and it hit the New York Times Best Seller list!

Darlene is going to lead us through the book as we apply the tips! You do not have to own the book to participate.

Let me be honest, blogging is not figure friendly. I’ve put on a few pounds this winter sitting at my computer desk. Back in January, when I first read the book I started applying the principles and making the recipes (which are really good by the way!). I lost 4 pounds in just a few weeks. Then I finished the book and stopped applying the principles and the 4 pounds are back! I’m hoping this time to do a little better – and make some long term changes!

You need a change? Need some encouragement and community in this area? The 65 days begin tomorrow! Join Darlene (and me) over at ReshapingItAll.com

Walk with the King!

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Guess what I just learned!

My friend Bethany from A Big Red Pot – is giving away a copy of Reshaping It All! All you have to do is leave a comment to win! So hop on over to the Big Red Pot and I’m crossing my fingers it’s one of you who win!!!

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10:58pm – ANNNNNND I just learned another bloggy friend Gina is giving away 3 copies starting next Monday at Chats With An Old Lady! So check her out too and enter to win there too!!!

I’m linked to Time Warp Wife, We Are That Family and Raising Homemakers.

Filed Under: Healthy Eating, Healthy Living

Healthy Homemade Pasta E Fagioli

March 4, 2011 by Courtney 12 Comments

Janelle from Comfy In The Kitchen has done it again! She’s back with a healthy dish for our families!

Spinach, zucchini, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, chicken broth, thyme, diced tomatoes, navy beans, macaroni, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper

Rinse and drain beans

In a large pot on medium heat, add beans, tomatoes and broth

Dice onions, carrots and celery

Take thyme off of stems and break off 2 bay leaves.

Add bay leaves, thyme, onion, carrots, celery, salt, pepper, garlic powder.

Cover and let simmer for an hour on medium heat.

Add zucchini, spinach and noodles and simmer for 30 more mins until noodles are softened. Remove Bay leaves..taste and

season more with salt and pepper if desired.

Serve with parmesan cheese. Delicioso!

Pasta E Fagioli

4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

2 15 oz cans diced tomatoes

1 15 oz can navy beans rinsed and drained

1 cup carrots chopped

1 cup celery chopped

1 cup onion diced

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp thyme

2 bay leaves

1 cup dry macaroni noodles

1 cup zucchini diced

1 cup fresh spinach

salt and pepper

Parmesan cheese

In a large pot on medium heat combine broth, tomatoes and beans. Cut/dice carrots, celery, and onions and add. Take thyme off of stems and break off 2 bay leaves, add to pot. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper, cover and allow to simmer for an hour. Add noodles, zucchini and spinach and simmer until noodles are tender. Season with salt and pepper to your taste- serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Thank you Janelle!!!!

Walk with the King!

If you are looking for more recipes or have one to share – visit Janelle’s new link-up today!

You can follow Janelle on her own blog Comfy In The Kitchen or on Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in What’s Cooking Wednesday, Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday, Dining With Debbie , Balancing Beauty and Bedlam , and Tuesdays at the Table recipe exchanges. I am also linked up to Raising Homemakers Weds. link up and Works For Me Wednesday! For more blogger recipes go to these links.

Filed Under: Comfy In The Kitchen, Healthy Eating, Recipes

Healthy Black Bean Soup With Rice

February 4, 2011 by Courtney 20 Comments

Janelle writes “I recently made this soup and was surprised how amazing it was! I actually ate 2 bowls! I ran some over to my mom because it is her favorite soup…the next day she called me and said “That was the best black bean soup I have ever had!” coming from her, that was a huge compliment (she orders black bean soup every where she goes, haha) I hope you enjoy this simple, delicious, and healthy recipe”~ Janelle

P.S (this is actually not very spicy despite the addition of chili powder, if you wish to have an extra kick please be my guest in adding more!)

2 cans seasoned black beans, chicken broth, olive oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, water (little boy optional lol!)

Dice onions

Peel and chop garlic

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil on med-high heat. When onions start to soften, add chili powder and cumin

Add broth and water

Turn heat up and let simmer for 15 mins

Turn down heat

Take an immersion blender and blend right into the pot of soup. This will liquify some of the beans making a thicker/creamy texture and will leave some beans in tact. If you do not have an immersion blender, please do not let this stop you from making this recipe! Simply take half of the soup and blend it in an actual blender or food processor and place back with remaining soup.

Scoop a cup of rice into your serving bowl. (I just used a simple minute rice here)

Pour soup over top and garnish with fresh cilantro! ( I had 2 helpings of this, which is NOT typical- it was THAT good!)

Best Ever Black Bean Soup

2 cans of seasoned black beans (drained, not rinsed)

1 can chicken broth

1 1/2 cups water

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves of garlic minced

2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cumin

White Rice (I used minute rice, follow instructions on box for 4 people)

In a large pot saute onions and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add chili powder and cumin and stir. Add remaining ingredients and let simmer for 15 mins. Take an immersion blender right into the pot so that some beans are blended and some remain in tact. Place a cup of rice in a bowl and pour in soup, garnish with fresh cilantro!

Thank you Janelle for another amazing recipe!

Walk with the King!

If you are looking for more recipes or have one to share – visit Janelle’s new link-up today!

You can follow Janelle on her own blog Comfy In The Kitchen or on Facebook and Twitter.