Meatless Monday

Happy Monday Everyone!
As promised welcome to Meatless Mondays! I made myself a YUM-O California style veggie burger and matched it with a salad.








1/2 avocado, sliced thin
1/2 roasted red pepper
2 tbsp BBQ sauce
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1 veggie burger patty, I use LICKS Nature Burgers....So amazing!
1 thin burger bun
Salad, I used an Iceberg Medley
2 tbsp dressing, I used PC Artichoke and Asia go

Using my George Foreman grill, I coated it with a little EVOO. Once heated up I slide the veggie burger on there. It only takes about 4-5 minutes per side. I like to coat both sides with a little bit of BBQ sauce. Once its flipped over, add your red peppers to the grill. Then slice up your avocado. The other half, make sure to leave to pit in it as this will keep it from turning brown a little longer. Shred up your cheese and then place it on the burger about a minute or so before its done. Once the cheese begins to melt, top it off with the roasted red peppers
Once both sides are cooked up on the burger, place it on top of your bun. Top with the avocado slices and if you like a few lettuce leaves. Cover with other half of your bun. You can toast the bun if you like for a little extra crunch.
In total, the burger with all the fixins as well as the salad with the dressing, 790 calories.

So simple to make but I promise it is so tasty!!!! I find the avocado really makes the entire burger!!

Hope you guys enjoy! I know there are some head strong meat eaters out there but at least give it a try. You may not even be able to notice the difference.

Enjoy and until next time kids!

Misty
xo

Eating vegetarian can be so YUM-O!!!

Coming off of a great weekend with my mom, I thought I would take a few minutes and post a few YUM-O recipes that we had. My mom is a pescatarian like me but for different reasons. I was strictly vegetarian for over a year but have recently become pescatarian when I did that detox cleanse last month. My last doctors visit, she instructed me that I had no choice but to start eating meat again. I told her that I couldn't do that so she said that I had to at least start eating fish again. I wasn't getting no where near enough protein and I had to make revisions in my diet to compensate that. I read a book called Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. It left such an impression on me that I gave up meat at that moment. As much as I hate the fact that I am eating fish again, at this point there isn't much I can do. But I am going to attempt the true vegetarian lifestyle again in the future. At the end of the day my health has to be more important.
For those who are either already vegetarian, on the verge of making the transition to it or are curious and might be swayed, I strongly recommend reading Eating Animals.

www.eatinganimals.com
Ok, a plug for vegetarians...check! YAY Vegetarians!!

Now on to a couple delish recipes!! Even if you are meat eaters you will love these!! I promise!!

Roasted Portebello Stacks - 2 servings
4 portobello mushrooms
1 roasted red pepper, sliced in strips
1 mini eggplant
1 small onion, sliced, you only need 1 slice for each mushroom
goat cheese
olive oil
thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
Clean and de-gill mushrooms. Cut out stem. Slice veggies. I like mine really thin but its up to you. Toss oil and thyme with veggies. Line on parchment paper. Roast 30 minutes, turning half way thru. Once roasted to your liking began stacking. First place a portobello on plate, then eggplant, onion, goat cheese and red peppers. Season with salt and pepper of you like.
Trust me, so yummy! My mouth is watering right now!

Spinach & Pea Salad
Lg container of baby spinach
1 pkg sugar snap peas
1 pkg frozen peas, cooked and cooled, about 1 cup, but more if you like
light ricotta cheese
mint, chopped, a few sprigs
1/2 c olive oil
1/4 c lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
Mix oil, lemon juice honey and salt together. Assemble rest of salad and pour dressing over top. Add a few dollops of ricotta cheese on top and serve.
Again, so tasty! Yup...mouth watering again!

Aside from my own personal beliefs about eating meat verses not, ensuring that you add as many veggies to your diet is so crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

I tip my hat to the chef. I know these recipes are pretty simple and straight forward but there is something about moms and when they cook it always tastes better. My mom is so great with finding new and mouthwatering recipes to try out.
She takes such good care of me! I'm lucky to have her support. We actually had a bonding moment a few weeks ago when I went down to the Falls to visit her for a mother daughter weekend. I have always prided myself on how open our relationship is but there were things that I was uncomfortable to tell her. My weight was the main one. Because of my utter shame in it, I didn't think that I could tell anyone. But after the last month or so and losing **17 lbs** now ( gained a few lbs back after the detox but lost those plus another one) I was feeling even more optimistic and a little more positive so we were chatting and I tearfully opened up and told her what my highest weight was. I of course broke down in tears and could feel a lump in my throat, and without skipping a beat she came over and took my hands and I told her. Baby steps. Telling someone how much you weight may not be a big deal for some people, but for others whose weight has controlled their lives for so many years it can be one of the hardest things to utter from your mouth. I am so thankful to have the love and support from her who gives me inspiration, unconditional love and never ending motivation along this my new journey. Love you lots Mama Bear!!

So, great food plus an awesome weekend equals a tired girl on a Sunday night!

Thanks for tuning in guys. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Misty
xo