Take Your Lunch to Work Day!

One of the hardest parts of maintaining a clean eating lifestyle can be "what to eat when you're not at home."  Even packing a lunch for work can be a challenge.  To make life a little easier, I present Spicy Pumpkin Meatloaf in a Mug.  Pumpkin and beef may not go together in your mind, but I was totally blown away by how good this is.  The pumpkin makes it moist and the spices add so much flavor, you won't even believe it.  And the smell in the break room will have all your co-workers envious!  I know that some people are opposed to microwaving food, so this one isn't for you. But for those who do use the microwave oven, this is a big winner!

I don't know what is the best part... that it's easy to make (so easy) or that it tastes so good (so yummy)!  I even make this when I am at home.  No point waiting until I go into the office!

Spicy Pumpkin Meatloaf in a Mug (no eggs, no dairy)

1/4 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp garam masala*
1/2 tsp (or to taste) sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Mix with clean hands until well mixed.  Place the mixture in an 8 oz or large microwave-safe mug.  Microwave at 70% for about 6 minutes.  I check it after about 4 minutes and then every couple minutes until it looks done.  Don't overcook, to prevent drying.

Let cool and enjoy!

So okay, but what the heck is garam masala?  Or at least that's what I thought when I first read this recipe!  For those of you not in the know (like me!), it is a blend of ground spices common in North Indian cuisine.  I suppose you can buy it already mixed at a store that sell Indian food, but I opted to make my own.  It's spices you may already have in your cupboard!

*Garam Masala 

1 T ground cumin
1-1/2 tsp ground coriander
1-1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1-1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Mix together all ingredients.  Use what you need and store the rest in an airtight container.

Yogurt Everything - Everything Yogurt!

Oh, now I've gone and done it!  I just had to make yogurt.  Now I have to try all kinds of flavors mixed in with that yogurt!  Last night I had a little snack of yogurt with mixed berries and just a drizzle of real maple syrup.  Amazing!  This morning I am having pumpkin pie yogurt.  Another great option!  And seasonally appropriate!

I don't like things real sweet, so if this isn't sweet enough for you, you can add a little bit of maple syrup to it and I feel quite sure it would be ab-fab!

First, make yogurt!  You really need to do this a day in advance because it's a long process. It isn't time consuming on your part.  It just takes a long time for the milk to become yogurt.  I made yogurt yesterday, starting in the morning, and we had yogurt in the evening.  And now again for breakfast!


Pumpkin Pie Yogurt

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
maple syrup, to taste (optional)
Chopped pecans (optional)

Mix yogurt and pumpkin together in a bowl.  Stir in spices.  Stir in maple syrup, if using.  Sprinkle with chopped pecans!

Confessions of a Clean Eater

'Tis the season!  Labor Day has only just passed and already we are seeing all the great holiday recipes floating around the internet.  On your Facebook news feed, on Pinterest.  It's hard to look away sometimes, isn't it?  Soon and very soon, I will post some great holiday treat recipes, but for now please let me share with you why you may want to avoid all those sugar filled recipes clouding your view....

I am just going to be straight up about this.  If we don't all stop eating so much processed junk, we are going to wear our parts out way before their time!  I know we can get new knees and hips.  There are lots of meds we can take to combat hypertension, diabetes, and heart issues.  But wouldn't it be great to go into our old age without any of that or at least less of it?  I know that not everyone's issues and ailments, whatever they may be, are food related.  But I do know that we can do a better job of taking care of our bodies so that at least perhaps less medical intervention is required.  I personally know people who have been able to stop taking many or all of their medicines (with their doctor's okay) because they chose a clean eating lifestyle.  I'm sure no doctor, or any medical professional (although I did stay at a Holiday Inn once), but from my own personal experience I know how much better I feel in general when I focus on eating whole foods.

My knees have been a problem for me for a very long time.  And my hips have let me know they are not much happier.  I don't know if I will be able to avoid replacements forever, but I knew a long time ago that I didn't want to go down that road any sooner than absolutely necessary.  So two years ago I finally made shedding some weight a top priority.  All it took was a switch to clean eating.  Foods as close to their original form as possible, and no white flour or sugar.  I started subbing in stone ground whole wheat flour, coconut sugar, honey, blackstrap molasses, and dried fruits.

After a couple of years though I found that I had stalled, and even started picking up a few pounds again.  No.  We are not going down that road again!  You see, even clean treats are still treats, and I kind of lost sight of that I think.  So lately, and here is that big confession you have been waiting for, just since about Labor Day actually, I started paying more attention to my carb intake.  Now I know I always say the beauty of clean eating is that you really don't have to count anything.  And that is generally true.  But I just felt that I had gotten off track a bit so I wanted to start monitoring things more closely for a while.  I finally decided to give in and start using myfitnesspal app.  This really takes the work out of keeping track of things!  So at least it's been easy to break down and accept some help.  And boy howdy have I gotten some help!  This little tool is so cool!

As far as limiting my carb intake, it really has been mostly about limiting treats and increasing my protein.  And I truly have not felt hungry!  There is nothing worse than "dieting" and craving what you cannot have.  It just hasn't been the case.  And, to be clear, I am not going to low carb forever, nor am I going to track forever.  I am way too lazy for all that.  But for now, it is helping me return to my fighting weight and that is making me happy.

As I have traveled the low carb path I have found lots of amazing and oh yes so easy recipes to help me through!  Please allow me to share some favorites!

Meatballs ready to go in the oven!

First up, the ab-fab can't be beat meatballs alla parmigiana.  Holy moley, Batman, there is no denying these are the best meatballs I have ever had. Truly, madly, deeply!  I am lovin' these meatballs.  I had them for supper one night and for lunch the next two days.  I was sad when they were gone!  I put them together with my go-to marinara sauce and this meal was the bomb!!!

And they really didn't take that long to make and bake.  You can fry them in a pan or bake them in the oven.  I kind of combined the two methods so they would brown a bit more.  So amazing.



The quickest and easiest thing I have "discovered" is caprese salad.  I have had it before, but for some reason it has really hooked me lately.  And, in keeping with most things I do, it  is so easy!  Slice some fresh mozzarella, top with slices of fresh tomato, throw on some fresh basil, and drizzle a little olive oil over it.  MR likes a bit of sea salt sprinkled over the top as well.  Lunch in a minute!!!

Okay, and one more before I tempt you with a treat...  This soup was yet again very easy, and I love love love it!  Now don't let the name put you off.  I am not a gourmet cook so some combinations sounds odd to me, but this pumpkin chipotle soup was another winner.  (I have kind of been on a roll this week for finding great recipes!)  I actually made it the day before because it makes my life easier to prepare on the weekend as much as possible and then reheat during the week. I was concerned that the cream would not reheat well but I was oh so mistaken.  We just heated it slowly and stirred occasionally.  Quite good!  Quite good!  Doesn't taste pumpkinny (new word I just made up) but that chipotle gives it a great kick!

And now that treat I promised you!  I have been really really good for about three weeks, feeling even better than before, and shedding some weight, so yes I made a treat last night!  Remember moderation!  But these coconut chocolate bars will not totally ruin any progress you have made, that's for sure.  Minimal ingredients and you can sub whatever granulated sweetener you prefer.  I did use Stevia this time but may try coconut sugar next time.  These are not super sweet at all, but definitely allow you to feel just a little decadent!

Tonight I am using leftover grilled chicken to make pesto chicken salad. I haven't actually tried this recipe yet but I think it sounds so good!  I will forego the bread and put it on Romaine lettuce.  MR will enjoy some sourdough with this.

What are you eating today?  Whatever it is, Keep it Clean!

Frozen Pumpkin Pie Chai-Ccino!

Found on Low Carb Keto Recipe Club Facebook page
Michelle Bailey was the original poster

Frozen Pumpkin Pie Chai-ccino

1 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut almond milk
1 pumpkin spice tea bag
1 chai tea bag of your choice
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t cinnamon
1/2 tsp maple extract
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup frozen canned pumpkin (freeze in an ice cube tray for better blending)
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
3 Tablespoons pecan butter (you can substitute almond butter)
1/2 cup coconut cream skimmed from the can and frozen (freeze in ice cubs trays)
remaining cream from coconut can for whipping
Sweetener to taste. (I used 2T of salted caramel sugar free Torani syrup)

Steep tea bags in almond milk for 10 minutes and then chill. Remove bags. To a blender add coconut cream, mascarpone, spices and extracts, pecan butter, pumpkin and sweetener and then milk/tea mixture and blend well. Served with whipped coconut cream and dust with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.

I found this recipe on Facebook and did my best to turn it into a Pin directly from the site, but it just wasn't happening.  I have copied it here, including the picture, made a few edits that do not change the recipe, and tried to give all credit to the original poster and original site.  I always want to give credit where it's due!

Oh I Get by with a Little Help From My Friends

I tend to be a little hard headed.  I think I can figure it out all on my own.  And I hate counting and keeping track of my food.  That's one reason clean eating has been so great for me.  For the last couple of years, all I had to do was make sure what I was eating was clean.  Fresh and as close to its original form as possible.  No white flour, no sugar, no processed foods.  And that really worked for me for a long time.  Pretty quickly after changing to this lifestyle I shed about 30 pounds.  This summer I seemed to get off track somehow, and picked up a few pounds.  And that just annoyed me to no end because I couldn't figure out what was different.

So I finally caved in and got the MyFitnessPal app.  Man, I hate it when I allow my hard-headedness to take over... because if I'd done this sooner... well, who knows?  But I think I'd have gotten myself back on track a lot sooner!  There is a little time spent to get your recipes in it. But since I tend to eat a lot of the same things, once it's done, it's done!  And, frankly, I think the credit it gives you for exercise is pretty overblown.  But I just ignore the exercise credit and focus on the numbers I am interested in.  Of course, I will have to add an occasional recipe, but I am actually kind of enjoying that part.

I started using the app about a week ago, and I am already back to losing.  And even though I don't really pay attention to the exercise credit, I do feel a little guilty if I can't log any or enough exercise.  Yesterday was rain, rain, rain, and the Grandparent is with us, so the best we could do was meander around the mall.  Well, at least we got a little movement in.  Today is nice and sunny so hoping for a lot more opportunities to get outside and move it, move it!

All that just to say -- I really recommend you use some kind of an app to help you stay on track.  With all the other things we have to do every day, it's nice to have a little help, isn't it?  But of course no post would be complete without a recipe, would it?  So here's a healthier version of Pumpkin Spice Latte from mariamindbodyhealth.com. (Please ignore the typo!  Ack!)  I know it's hard to resist those treats, so let's at least Keep it Clean!