I'm MAD. Enough is ENOUGH!

As I was laying in bed this morning, scrolling through Facebook (let's be honest - we all do it), I came across an article that a friend posted about how Subway was pledging to take a chemical out of its bread called azodicarbonamide.  According to the article, this chemical is used in breads to make them more "elastic" (why would we want our bread more elastic...seriously people!?).  This same chemical is used in things like YOGA MATS.  This is downright crazy.  It really upsets me that corporations are putting such chemicals into their foods.  WHY oh WHY can we not have just normal bread?!  

One article I read has this to say about azodicarbonamide: The same WHO Study cites respiratory issues like asthma among some people who were exposed to azodicarbonamide. But those individuals were breathing in the compound, not ingesting it." In addition to that remark, I also found in the conclusion of the article that in the form of ingesting it, the suggestion is, "do no eat, drink, or smoke".  And also, that "The substance decomposes on heating or on burning producing toxic fumes (nitrogen oxides)." WHOA.  Wait, so the study says that the substance decomposes on heating (like cooking bread) and produces toxic fumes as a result?  

There was a blogger who called to arms about this and over 78,000 people signed a petition to get this substance out of Subway bread.  But that is not the only fast food joint that uses this substance.  According to reports, the following restaurants also put this substance in their foods:

• McDonalds
• Burger King
• Chick-Fil-A
• Dunkin Donuts
• Wendy's
• Arby's
• Jack-In-The-Box
• Hardee's
• White Castle
• And more

If you'd like to learn more I linked the original article I read and in the above paragraph, the study on the chemical. I know that some may disagree with me saying, "the FDA approves it and the food is quick and delicious." And even though its been a VERY long time since I have visited any of these places, I still crave a little fast food from time to time and even indulge every now and then, no longer.  This was the final straw for me and my cravings for fast food.  

Are you angry about it?  I sure am!

Weekend Eats - Banana Oatmeal Pancakes, Butternut Squash Chili

Let's face it.  Eating healthy during the week is fairly easy.  I'm at work, in the classroom and my only choice of food is what I brought or school provided yucky student snacks (i.e. microwaved waffles or english muffins with soy butter).  So when I fix myself only delicious smoothies and sometimes veggie packs for school, it's pretty easy a little easier to stay healthy.  While I post some delicious (and sometimes complex)  recipes on here, I normally eat pretty simply during the week.  A quick 5-minute fried rice is my go-to for a weeknight dinner (especially with the hubs is out of town).







We like to get out of the house on the weekend a explore our new city of Richmond.  We tried this brewery for the first time, Strangeways Brewing Company and it was great!  I got a Pomegranate Saison - mm mm mm yum.









When the weekend hits I'm ready for a nice large glass of red and a hearty meal.  However, my tummy and my conscience will not allow me to go crazy.  I've recently been craving an amazing pancake breakfast, but the heaviness of pancakes on my tummy just makes me cringe.  I looked around on Pinterest and found this recipe for banana oatmeal pancakes.  Sunday morning is the perfect day to try a new pancake recipe.  Our church has an 11:00 service which makes Sunday mornings the best part of our week.  Think: sleep in, make coffee and a nice breakfast, go to church and praise the Lord!  How much better can it get?!?

Modifications for the pancakes: 

• Doubled (for 2 people) but only used three eggs instead of 4
• Make them sand-dollar sized for easier flipping
• Use fresh blueberries - not frozen...there IS a difference!
• We used real sugar (just a pinch) instead of fake sweetener - just keepin' it real y'all. 

And then, I've been craving chili.  My school had a chili cook-off on Friday night, but with my stupid food restrictions, I couldn't taste any of them!  So, per the usual, I jumped on Pinterest looking for an alternative.  And THIS my friends is what I found.  This has got to be one of the best meals to come out of my kitchen.  I wish I had the bragging rights to this meal, but I do not.  I made this one to the exact directions (what?! me?! follow a recipe to a t?!) and it was amazing.  That said, I think I may puree some spinach next time to boost this meal even more.  It took all day to cook (mainly in the oven, so not too involved) and it was so worth the wait. Not to mention my house smells divine. 

Serve on top of fresh basmati rice and enjoy! This chili is seriously delicious and guilt free.  It warms your tummy and satisfies all your comfort food cravings.  Make this.  I promise you'll love it. 

Now...let me go gobble that ooey-gooey cookie my hubs just got out of the oven. :)

Quick & Easy Weeknight CHIA Pasta

Confession: I love pasta.  But really, who doesn't?  I could eat Mac-n-Cheese, spaghetti, lasagna, baked ziti all day long.  If it's pasta, I love it.  Good for my taste buds...bad for the rest of me!

We live right behind a Fresh Market.  And by right behind, I mean it's literally across the street.  It isn't my favorite place to shop (expeennnnnsive!), but I do enjoy perusing the aisles sometimes to see what I can find.  One evening I had quite the hankering for some pasta and came across CHIA pasta. Coincidentally I was going through a meatless period (sometimes it just grosses me out!) so chia pasta was the perfect solution.  If you don't know about chia yet,  here are some facts:

5 Things I LOVE about Chia Seeds!

1. They are high in Omega-3's which help to decrease cholesterol
2. They are extremely high in fiber - 10g per 2 tbsp (woot!) but are easy on the tummy (easily digestible), so it's the perfect way for me to up my fiber!
3. Chia seeds FILL YOU UP.  They expand up to 12x their size meaning that as they sit in your system, they soak up water and expand - making you fuller for longer!
4. It is a complete protein with all 8 amino acids and equals to about 20% of your protein requirement per serving. 
5. They are gluten free (not a big deal for me, but for those who are intolerant to gluten - this is great news!)

So as you now can see, I was excited to find these chia noodles! So anyways, I looked on the back of the bag and there was a delicious looking vegetarian pasta recipe.  The recipe I'm going to share with you is an adaptation to the one on the bag. :)

Here's the recipe: (serves 2)
Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes total

Ingredients:

• 1/2 package of Bona Chia noodles 
• 1C peas
• 1C mushrooms, sliced
• 1 sweet yellow onion, sliced and cut in half
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 T EVOO
• Dash of salt and pepper
• Sundried tomatoes (to taste)
• Kalmata olives (to taste)
• Crumbled Feta cheese

Directions: 

1. Add EVOO, onions, mushrooms, and peas to medium heat in a pan.   Sauté fot ~5-7 minutes, add garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. 
2. While the veggies are cooking boil your water for the noodles.  Once the water is to a boil, add noodles and cook for 3 (yes THREE!) minutes, drain and rinse. 
3. Immediately toss the noodles in a bit of EVOO, top with veggies, sundried tomatoes, olives, and a little feta.  Gobble it up! 

Sauté for ~5-7 minutes, add garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. 

Voila!

Easiest recipe ever, right?  Of course, me being me, I've made this dish multiple times and every time it is different.  Sometimes I add zucchini or green beans.  You could also add chicken if you like (I haven't because the chia noodles already have enough protein).  As I always say, get creative!

With green beans - yum!

With green beans and zuchinni!

What did you add to your pasta? Let me know in the comment section!