Healthy "Comfort" food

As much as comfort food isn't the most healthy choice of food, I felt like with the cold weather just around the corner it would be appropriate. My type of comfort found I look for is soup, casserole dishes, or some kind of chicken or steak.

Once again I've turned to Pinterest for my recipes because I'm not as creative as I would like when it comes to cooking. I wanted to find three different courses of comfort and I think the ones I found look delicious.

On the left is a veggie lasagna, rather that putting meat or extra cheese you can add tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, or any other veggies you like.
The next picture on the right is a taco dip put on wheat tortillas that looks amazing. If it's not enough comfort dip it in salsa or a queso dip, I won't tell anyone ha-ha.

The third dish I found was a healthy macaroni and cheese. It has bread on the top, but if you're feeling guilty use whole wheat that will help. The mac and cheese includes three cheeses, whole wheat noodles, broccoli and of course the breading.


Links for the food: www.eatingwell.com

Be Thankful. Be Healthy.

This week I decided to write about Thanksgiving break and the trouble of overeating on Turkey day. I wanted to find some traditional dishes that my family could try this week. I wanted to find the healthier, lighter approach so that we don't feel like we're about to pop after dinner.

I went to my favorite food searching website yet again to find these, Pinterest. What I found were a few entrees to have, side dishes, and also some desserts to try out. The first picture is a grape and cranberry stuffing. You get the traditional stuffing with a healthy help of cranberries and grapes. www.lhj.com

The second dish I found was a side salad so you're getting your greens in while indulging in a full turkey and stuffing. The salad includes avocado, artichokes, and a light dressing, YUMMY. www.eatingwell.com

And the third dish I found was a sweet potato pudding to have for dessert. If you feel the need to make it a little sweeter go ahead and throw some whipped cream on top! www.tasteofhome.com

Old Dog, New Tricks. "Grilled Cheese"

Today I decided to try and find healthy recipes for the old, but good recipe of Grilled Cheese. Kids and adults have been able to enjoy this as an afternoon snack, lunch, and dinner.You can have grilled cheese by itself, with veggies, or my personal favorite with soup. I'm going to look for a couple of those combinations.

I found this sandwich on Pinterest and it looked delicious. It includes mozzarella cheese, tomato, pesto, and avocado on whole wheat toast. This was described as "stupid good" and I can see why! I'm thinking of pairing it with either a salad or healthy, low calorie soup.

The tomato soup below includes tomato, basil, and cut tomatoes inside the soup for more texture and flavor. I also found another grilled cheese that I've never thought of making before, but the ingredients intrigued me.  Wheat toast, spinach, and mozzarella cheese.
www.pinterest.com/healthygrilledcheese

skinny-thoughts.tumblr.com

With grilled cheese I've noticed that tomato soup, bean and bacon, and sometimes chicken noodle. With all of these recipes the use of wheat, no butter, and lots of vegetables and white cheese rather than cheddar is key.  Hopefully some of you try these with me and enjoy!!

Halloween. Food. Fun :)

Halloween is probably one of my favorite times of the year. You get to watch scary movies, go to haunted houses, dress up and above all else you get to have yummy comfort food haha. The only problem with the comfort food is it usually isn't very healthy. This year I've decide to not deprive myself and still have the same comfort foods I love for Halloween. My favorites include chicken and dumplings and homemade chili; this year I've been looking online for some of the healthier versions of these and hopefully they turn out just as good!

 When Halloween comes around the cold weather follows it; I wanted these recipes that I found to not only keep you warm, but also keep you a bit skinnier in the process. My family and I love to have dinner together before everyone goes out to go treat or treating, haunted houses, etc; so my mom will be helping me keep to my "healthy" choices while we create them haha. Other than my two favorites I'm also going to find some recipes that other people may enjoy or want to make for their Halloween season. Since everyone will already be getting their candy from treat or treating I've decided to look for recipes for cookies, caramel apples, or cakes that a whole family could enjoy (healthier.)

 Recipe Sources from top to bottom:
www.eatingwell.com
www.oprah.com
www.tryitmom.com
www.g0lubka.blogspot.com.au

Let it snow and have hot chocolate!!

Today I woke up to AT LEAST five inches of snow! I know what you're thinking, "That is nothing," but let me remind you this is the first real snow Utah has had this season and no one is excited. The three things that don't EVER sound appealing on a snow day are: getting out of bed, going out in the cold, and driving in the snow. Instead of completely looking at today as a loss I decided to find something warm and delicious to have to motivate me through the first snow day, hot chocolate.

I was happy to find that there are actually healthy recipes for hot chocolate on Pinterest and other websites online. After the thought of hot chocolate came to mind it reminded me of my mom making one of my favorite winter snacks after a long snow day. It may sound gross to some people, but I love it because it reminds me of family memories and how we use to try to enjoy the cold weather as best we could ha. Hot chocolate and toast was my favorite winter treat; once I thought about this I started craving it and decided I'm going to have it today!

Since this is a "healthy fall food" blog I'm still going to enjoy my favorite winter treat, just an edited version of it with healthy hot chocolate and wheat toast. It's a light and warm snack that I think anyone could enjoy, but in case it's too weird for you there is also cinnamon wheat toast to make it a little more sweet!! Hopefully with some of these ideas for a cold "first snow day" others can enjoy them too.

www.hacres.com

www.healthy.slides.kaboose.com   

Soup on a Rainy Day

Growing up in Utah I have had my fair share of SNOW; I've also had the pleasure of trying a variety of comfort foods especially in the Fall and Winter months. I'm Lauren a Junior in college in the wonderful city of South Ogden Utah. I love living in Utah and I love the different seasons we have been blessed with having including my favorite, Fall. The only problem that a college student seems to have with the Fall is the weather (driving purposes) and also our infamous "College Student Budget." 

Now that the end of October is coming closer Utah is starting to experience our "normal fall weather." For a college student this means stock up on your sweaters, coats and gloves, but also your Top Ramen noodles and Apple Cider. The only problem with that diet of cider and noodles is you're bound to gain the Freshman fifteen for the first or fourth time! I've decided with this blog I'm going to find some healthy "comfort" food for the fall that anyone can enjoy and keep warm with, but also keep that dreaded fall/ winter weight off. 

Lately I've really been into the website Pinterest; it gives you a great amount of ideas for recipes including healthy ones to use in your own kitchen. It's been a great way for me to expand my mouth pathete and also my nutritional knowledge. Comfort food is amazing in the colder months, but it can become a downfall for your waistline. Today I'm going to find some yummy, healthy soup recipes that are the best to keep you warm on a rainy day. 

There are usually about five key soups that people enjoy in the fall and winter. Chicken Noodle, Tomato, Potato, and Enchilada. Here are a couple pictures of the soups that I think most people like to have in the cold and also some of my favorites. You can find these recipes on Pinterest by searching them and clicking on their personal link. 

              From top to bottom soup sources:
                  www.cookinglight.com
                  www.myrecipes.com
                  www.clearlydelicousfoodblog.com