Baked Kale Chips

I told you in my post yesterday that I would one day soon make the kale chips.... well, today is the day! I was looking for an afternoon snack, as i opened the refrigerator door, the kale jumped out at me. I figured I might as well give it a try...

I followed the same recipe that I posted yesterday.

 This is the kale I used... not sure of the exact name, but the stalks and leaves were smaller than the other option of kale at my store. Peel the leaves off of the thick stalks, and remove any large veins running through the leaves. 

 Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt and toss so that all the leaves are coated. Be careful with the olive oil, I think if you were to put too much, the leaves would come out of the oven limp and not crunchy. And well, that would not be as tasty!

 I just used a toaster oven to do this, I didn't not make a whole batch, just a couple stalks so figured this would work fine, and it did! Cook in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes. 

 And here is the finished product! The color is still a beautiful bright green.

 I had heard before that the chips alone are not the best, and to eat with hummus. But i loved the taste on their own! It was also great with the hummus, but if i didn't have any on hand one day, i wouldn't be heartbroken. 

Honestly i didn't know they would turn out so crunchy! They actually do give a nice crunch, just like a potato chip. I was very pleased with this recipe and will definitely be making it again soon. 

Don't be afraid like i was... I was unsure about this recipe when i first heard about it, up until the moment i tasted it. But honestly, give it a try, you may be just as surprised as i was!! 

heidilauren

yummy eats

So, I have been trying to clean up my diet lately. I have always have a 'healthy eating' mindset, but living with my parents, it was always just easier to eat what they had, instead of going to the store myself (like i probably should have). Also, I joined pinterest, and wow.... they have some amazing ideas on there! I have found some great blogs and ideas on good food that is easy and healthy. So here I am going to compile some foods that I can keep easily on hand to help me when i'm in a crunch, and maybe some of these ideas will inspire you too! ps- I have been a vegetarian for a bit over two years now, so thats why none of these recipes are including meat :) 

I have actually been starting off my day using this recipe for breakfast each morning. I used to be obsessed with having Honey Bunches of Oats each morning..but quinoa is so full of protein and tastes great in the mornings. This is a recipe that you can switch up based on what you have in your fridge each morning. I have been loving it! 

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Also, quinoa can be used for a side dish or main dish, there are hundreds of great recipes online for tasty dishes, and again, they're perfect for using up any left over veggies you have in the fridge. Here is one that I plan on using soon.

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This is something that I made about a month ago, and fell in love with! It is a vegan Vegetable Chowder recipe, while I am not vegan, the recipe just looked too yummy to pass up. This is a perfect dinner to make during those cold winter nights. And even for me, a beginner at this whole cooking thing, it was pretty easy!

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Here is something I have been hesitant to give a try, but really want to! Baked kale chips. I have been playing around with kale for the past couple months, since I learned how amazingly healthy it is for you. And now im telling myself I WILL try this recipe, sooner rather than later. I mean, really, how bad could it be? :/

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Now this just looks amazing and I could eat it every day of the week! Tomato Basil Mozzerella Salad... yum!!

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And now for dessert, how amazing does this look?!? Brownie and Berries Dessert Pizza. Now this may not be super healthy, but at least there is some fruit involved, and its also gluten free! I have been trying to cut back on the gluten to see if I see any improvements in my body and energy level, but it seems VERY hard to cut it out all together! 

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Well, I hope some of these ideas will be useful to you... let me know if you have tried any of them, anything similar, or if you have any other ideas for me!! I love food, but I also love eating things that will improve my health, give me more energy, and make me feel good about what im putting into my body! 

heidilauren

Inspiration...

Happy Saturday All!

Today, i'll leave you with something short and sweet, and so true to my life right now...

I have goals that I hope to accomplish, well sooner rather than later. Sometimes its hard for me to remember to enjoy my life just as it is, today. I know this is a time that once it's gone, ill want it back. 

heidilauren

SNOW!

Yes, its true. I live in Chicago, have my whole life, but the city still freaks out every time at the mention of... SNOW! Each year we know there will be multiple snowstorms, (because hey, we live in the midwest, what do we expect to happen every winter??) but the novelty of it never wears off. Today, is one of those days. Weather man says, over 12 hours of snow will bring us 8 inches. Now lets be honest, many times, the weather men are not 100 percent accurate... but so far, he is right on track. 

I had told a friend I would come back to the suburbs tonight to meet for dinner and probably a few drinks. I had heard the stories of snow last night on the news, but figured I would just play it by ear. Around 11am this morning, it started to fall. I figured I should get my things ready and start the drive home, before it got worse.

Now, this may not be as bad as last years 'Snowmageddon,' but it still makes the weary driver in every one of us come out, even in me. Yes, I have been known to not be the best driver. Maybe I have a bit of road-rage every time i drive sometimes, but who doesn't? Well, today was an exception. 

Now driving in the snow, if you have never done it before, is sure an experience. You've got the people who think their SUV is invincible driving 80, weaving in and out of traffic thinking they rule the road. Then, you've got the scardy cats. Yes, I know it sounds mean. But they're so scared of some snow, they forget there are other people on the road too and drive like they have no where to be fast. Let me tell ya, its just not a fun experience. Luckily, I got to leave at a time where there is not much traffic, and also the snow was just beginning so there was not much pile up. 

Thankfully I made it safe, and now here I sit in my parents living room, watching the snow fall with my charlie brown coffee cup and cinnamon sugar pita chips from Trader Joes. If you have a Traders by you, GO GET THESE. I dare you to not eat the whole bag in one day. 

As for my plans tonight, they probably wont happen. But knowing that its a Friday, the start of a weekend, and I am home safe snuggled under this huge down blanket (its freezing in here) makes it ok. 

Ill leave you with a few pictures from my parents house. I am not the best photographer, and I wish I knew a way to make the camera show the little white flakes instead of whatever is in the background. But, you get the picture right? 

heidilauren

Feel good smoothie

Sooooo, my roommate just bought a blender. My parents always had a blender when I lived at home, but it was never used. The rare times that I did whip it out, in hopes of making a milkshake, or a smoothie, or whatever else sounded adventurous at the time..... it never worked. I would get mad and drink my milkshake with big ice chunks running through it, and vow to never try and use this blender, ever again.

So needless to say, I was a bit iffy when she brought home a fifteen dollar bright pink blender from target.... pretty much figured I would have the same experience as I did before. But hey, why not give it a shot, right?

Well, let. me. tell. you. This thing has won me over from the start! I have been making a smoothie a day (sometimes more) for the past week and each day been surprised at what yummy and nutritious drinks come out outa this thing! I had seen a recipe numerous times before on a blog that I follow, and knew it had to be my first smoothie I tried out. I have made a few tweaks to it, so let me show you what I have come up with! 

(Here is where I learned about this recipe to begin with... feel good smoothie)

Here are the ingredients:

1 Cup So Delicious organic coconut milk (I accidentally bought the sweetened kind, next time i will get unsweetened)

Half or whole banana

2 large leaves of kale-so many nutrients are jam packed into this veggie, with minimal calories.

1/2 Cup Frozen mixed berries

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds- too many good things are in flax seeds to list here... look it up! :)

Unless you have a super good blending machine (ie. you paid more than 15 dollars for yours) I would suggest blending the kale with the coconut milk first to help break the leaves down. It comes out a lovely color or green, eh? OH! and dont forget to take the stem out of the middle of each leaf. Its very tough and will not break down easily for a smooth consistency.

And here is the final product with everything blended together. I pulse a few times, just go get it going, then blend for about 30-45 seconds. Now, you can't tell me that doesn't look fabulous.

Keep in mind, this is just a basic recipe, go ahead and use whatever you have available in the kitchen that day. I have done a few variations of this, adding strawberry yogurt, fresh blueberries, and tried a few ice cubes (would not recommend the ice) from time to time. 

This is just a tasty way to get some great nutrients into your body without even knowing you are eating healthy. Plus, it keeps you full for hours! 

One more thing before I leave you, some of these things-- kale and flax seed in particular--may seem very odd if you are not used to 'health foods' or healthy eating. BUT, try it! I promise you will not regret it, you will feel full of energy, and proud for doing something healthy for your body :)

heidilauren

Hello!

Hello There! Apparently, I am 'That Girl," also known as Heidi :) I have some free time on my hands right now, so thought it would be nice to have a little online diary- or something of that nature. 

so... a bit about me?

I was born in Texas, but raised in the suburbs of Chicago. I have recently moved downtown, and can now truly call myself a Chicago girl! I am loving the energy and non-stop movement... but I have to admit, I feel a huge calm come over me when I make it back to my parents in the suburbs.

 Speaking of, I have a wonderful family who are so important to me. My only sister had a baby, exactly six months ago today, and am so excited to have the cutest nephew ever...

here he is with my mom. 

I hate it that my sisters family lives a state away, but luckily I have great friends who keep me company! The four of us met in high school and have been inseparable since... 

myself, ashley, arin, theresa

you've gotta admit. thats almost too much pretty for one picture :)

Well, I think I should stop there, so you've got something to come back for! Thanks for stopping by, I hope you come back to figure out, Who's That Girl? 

heidilauren