Skinny Spring Rolls

We made these spring rolls at my girlfriends house the other day. I really like the combination we came up with. These wraps are what made me loose 30 pounds after I was pregnant. They are not only low calories but they are healthy. Eating these will make you feel great. You are what you eat, right?!

We put white rice in them which I never recommend especially if your trying to change your lifestyle or loose some weight. My family eats plain white rice about once a month. Better alternatives are quinoa (my favorite) brown,red and black rice. When I really try to shed some weight, I cut all the grains out and eat fruit for my carbohydrates.

Ingredients:
Cilantro
Roasted Red Peppers
Avocado
Onions
Carrots
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Rice (optional)
Rice paper

Sauce:
Peanut butter
Housing Sauce
Broth, we used vegetarian.
Crushed peanuts

Add hoisin and peanut butter equal parts. Add broth to liquidify it. Top with crushed peanuts.

Get the rice paper wet. Layer veggies in then start rolling! It will take practice to get this down!


               Christine

Healthy Food Shots Lately

Here are some healthier food options from the last month. I know my blog is about healthy eats but I just wanted to say I do eat unhealthy foods BUT it is definitely not all the time or everyday. I try to to eat the unhealthy things in moderation. I think everyone should indulge at least a couple times a week just watch your portion control!

Here is a tomato and roasted red pepper soup I got from Trader Joe's. I use it as a base and ad whatever vegetables I have in my fridge with a protein. I added tofu for the protein, okra and a frozen veggie pack of carrots, peas and corn with some fresh basil. I let it simmer til the veggies were soft. You can add chicken and it would be really good :)

My friend made this really good red quinoa dish. You can get the recipe here.

Here is some Chipotle Hummus with Tabbouleh and a romaine lettuce salad with green peppers and carrots.

My grocery cart from Trader Joe's. I really miss having one right down the street. The chicken drumsticks are ridiculously cheap, they are all natural and only about $3. Avocados, Quinoa and Coconut water are a must at all times in my house.

EATING OUT!! I love indulging when eating out, when I actually love it! Every time I eat out I am always unsatisfied because I feel like home cooked meals are better. We ate out at an Mexican restaurant and I almost always order ceviche. It is not too high in calories except for the tortilla. I ate one of these and brought the rest home.

Here is a salad I made with black bean/mixed grain pattie I had posted last week. I get the pattie and add a salad on top with some dresssing. You can get the recipe for the patties here.

An easy way to be healthier is to add vegetables. Eating just pasta is not very good for you. Adding a salad or some steamed vegetables makes all the difference and of course myglass of VINO!

Hope you are having a great week!!

Laugh and Love
Christine

Veggie Patties

Some really good veggie patties I made.I make them and freeze them so I can have them whenever I want. They are much better then the pre bought and a lot less expensive. They are so easy especially when you have a rice cooker which I recommend getting. I cook all my grains in my rice cooker, quinoa , rice, etc and I always just press the white rice button. Everything has always come out really good.

For my patties I used a mixture of sweet brown rice, red beans, black beans, corn, mung beans, millet, green peas and black sweet rice. If you want you can use quinoa and black beans to make it easy. If you have anything eles on hand, throw it in there.

Ingredients:
2 cups mixed grains/beans. 

1/3 fresh herbs ( I used basil and parsley)

3 minced garlic cloves

Salt and pepper

1 cup of  shredded cheese ( I didn't use any but this will help it stick together)
1/2 chopped bell pepper
1/2 small red onion

Directions:
Cook grains/beans in rice cooker. I let them sit an hour first then cook them. 1:2 parts water. When they are finished add all ingredients and mix well. Add salt and pepper. Form patties. I made about 8 depending on the size you want.

I used a sandwhich thin for my sandwhich. For garnish I used avocado, romaine lettuce, red bell pepper, onions and a roasted red pepper hummus on the bread. It was very good! 

Laugh and Love

Christine

Linking up with 5 minutes for mom and The Healthy Moms