December Foodie Pen Pals

Another month is gone and Lindsey over at leangreenbean has been kind enough to once again host Foodie Pen Pals. Check out what I got in October and November.

I waited in anticipation for my package (like I always do) and when I saw my box at the front door I got super excited!

I sent my box to Kayla at Sproutybuns I'll let her tell you what I sent... Hope she liked it!

This month I got my box of goodies from Rachel over at Travel Challenge
Her box was AWESOME.

Rachel is from Ohio and so she sent me some of her local favorites around her area.
When I opened the box I was greeted with a super cute homemade card.. which was awesome because I love making my own cards...(it helps when you own a Cricuit LOL)

Rachel also sent me a fun recipe that I have not had the chance to try out yet... crazy holiday cooking has been taking place for the past few weeks. I have every intention of trying it once my house is back to normal.

 Along with the recipe she also sent me some Tofu pasta and sauce to help get the cooking started...

 I have never had Tofu pasta but the flavor combo is right up my ally. I also never used jar sauce (my dad would roll over in his grave lol something about being Italian) but this one sounds interesting. Also the fact that the sugar is super minimal I am willing to give it a try.

Rachel also sent me a few baked goods...

 The cupcake came from a local vegan bakery and the biscuits came from a local market. The biscuits are super tasty. I love the flavor and the biscotti type texture.

Rachel really out did herself and I can not wait for January's exchange... Maybe Rachel can send me another box LOL

Thank You Rachel!!! Can't wait to try the pasta

So if you interested in joining next months Foodie Pen Pals (and you do not have to be a blogger) 
 send  an email to Lindsay at theleangreenbean@gmail.com and include the following information:
-Your full name
-Your email address
-Your blog name/address
-Your twitter handle (if applicable)
let her know by December 4th as pairings will be emailed on December 5th!

Ciao with an awesome box

Alexis

Pomegranates made easy!

I love pomegranates but what is a pomegranate anyways?
I am here to answer that question and show you the absolute easiest way to prepare your pomegranate for eating....

The little red arils are the part of the fruit you eat. That is it nothing else. Although it looks very deceiving there are A TON of these little arils hiding in the pomegranate. Once you start tearing into it you will be amazed by the amount of fruit there is to actually consume.

I love topping my plain greek yogurt or cottage cheese with these yummy "baby" fruit as my nephews call it... well really BAY BAY fruit LOL 

*Science Blurb entered Here*

Pomegranates are a great source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B5, Potassium, and fiber. It has been shown in

 laboratory trials, juice of the pomegranate may be effective in reducing heart disease risk factors by lowering LDL cholesterol. Pomegranates have also been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure in those patients suffering from hypertension.

^{And for those of you that hate flossing.... Pomegranate extracts have antibacterial effects against dental plaque. So does that mean I can eat more pomegranates and not floss as much??? HMMM I wonder what my dentist would have to say about that one...tehe}



So now that you know the amazing health benefits now its time to learn how to eat these pesky little buggers.


Pomegrantes can be a crazy messy snack which leave your hands, shirt, pants, couch, counters, and even pets (if they are in firing range lol) stained red. Well not anymore... here is the easiest way to de-"seed" if you will and store these tasty arils.

First fill up a large bowl with enough water to submerge the pomegranate. 

While pushing the pomegranate under water use your fingers to separate the arils from the inedible white parts of the fruit. 

 The arils will sink to the bottom and the inedible parts will float to the top.

 remove the white parts floating in the bowl and drain the water. Then place the arils in a container topped with a damp paper towel. This will stay in the fridge for a few months as long as every few days you change out paper towels.

Ciao and baby fruit

Alexis

What I ate Wednesday v15 Overload on Christmas food

It's that time again! Mass consumption at its finest... this version is based around the Christmas holiday. Man I am still stuffed.  Here are some oldies but goodies

WIAWv1  WIAWv2  WIAWv3  WIAWv4  WIAWv5   WIAWv6   WIAWv7   WIAWv8  WIAWv9  WIAWv10   WIAWv11 WIAWv12  WIAWv13  WIAWv14

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

I also have an awesome new Give Away this week.... Brought to you by the awesome people at Food Should TasteGood 

MERRY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY CHANUKAH!!! 

I love the holidays! I love the food but I don't love what the food does to my waist. Between Christmas eve, Christmas and a surprise birthday I completely wrecked my healthy eating. I went in with every intention of only trying a little bit of those foods heavy in calories but let's be honest those are the best ones LOL

Christmas Eve stop #1 Brian's Grandparents

We stopped by to say hi but did not stay for dinner so there was not much unhealthy snacking done there...

Christmas Eve stop #2 My sisters House

This is where the feasting began. My sister made crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms for apps. and had an ample veggie platter with homemade dip. 

I ate 2 mushrooms and LOTS of Carrots. I think I filled myself on veggies before the real food was even ready.  

Then came dinner: 1st- baked scallops and salad, 2nd- lobster pasta, 3rd- snapper and roast, 4th-Dessert included chocolate cheesecake (not my type of dessert) and winter fruit pie <--- that was YUMMY

Now comes Christmas Day... 

We woke up and opened some gifts.. and by some gifts I mean the best gifts ever.

 

Brian got me the Nikon D3000!!! Finally I have a good camera!!

Then we were off to his parents house for Christmas Brunch. I didn't eat to much because I knew we had Dinner just a few hours later with my family. But I did nibble on some fruit and a scone. Then Brian's sister made caramelized pears with whipped goat cheese so of course I HAD to try it... But I shared with Brian.

 

Lastly we had dinner with my mom and some of my siblings... 
Here is some snapshost of Christmas eating.

 

 

Can you guess which plate is mine and which is Brian's... lol 

I had a great time... here are some photos from the nights of fun and festivities 

 We know how to have fun in our family HAHA. My nephew
dancing, and he also has an empty beer box on his face he decided to use as a mask. Matching Christmas Sox for the girls. Stair rides with Aunt Heather for the boys and my attempt to get a picture with one of my other nephews.

All and all it was a great Christmas. 

I hope you all had a great Christimas.... or whatever holiday it is that you celebrate. 

On to my giveaway... 

The awesome people over at Food Should Taste Good have agreed to send one of my awesome readers 5 bags of chips/crackers sent directly to their door step. Click the Link above to find out how to enter.

Ciao and lots of Christmas foods

Alexis