Mediterranean Salmon Bake

I'm always looking for easy recipes and love experimenting with how to
make them healthier. This one dish salmon bake recipe was super easy not to mention super
healthy.

My hubby loved it (thats always a win) and I had enough leftover for the
next day...(another win!!)

ENJOY!!!

Mediterranean Salmon Bake Serves: 4 people

Ingredients 1 pound salmon fillets (Cut into 4 pcs.) 3 Tbsp. Feta cheese crumbles 2 Tbsp. fresh basil fine chopped 1/4 c. sliced kalamata olives 1 tsp kosher salt divided 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning divided 1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided 1 tablespoon olive oil divided 3 cloves garlic sliced 1/2 onion sliced very thin 2 zucchinis, quartered and sliced 1 red bell pepper julienned 2 tomatoes chopped

Instructions Use a 9 x 13 baking dish lined with aluminum foil (for easy clean up). Place the salmon fillets in the bottom of the dish. Season with half of the salt,
garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper and olive oil.

Add the garlic, onion, zucchini, bell pepper and tomato. Season with remaining spices, herbs and olive oil and gently toss the vegetables to coat. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 425 for 35 minutes. Once salmon is done, sprinkle feta and basil and olives on top.

(Capers may also be a good option)

Pulled Pork & Butternut Sqash Tacos

" You would probably never think to mix the words “butternut squash” and “tacos”…but trust me on this one!!!  It works!!  I loved how the flavors blended  together and I promise your taste buds will say thank you!!

I decided to modify the original recipe and try it with it Turkey instead!! A big win! Let me know what you think!"

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork & Butternut Squash Tacos

YIELD: Serves 6 
PREP TIME: 40 minutes 
COOK TIME: 7 hours

Ingredients:

3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
2 pounds boneless pork loin roast (or turkey tenderloins)
2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 canned chipotle chilis packed in adobo, coarsely chopped* (these are a bit spicy...taste before adding to recipe. Add more or less to taste)
2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the canned chilis
1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves
1/2 cup 100% orange juice (Fresh squeezed is best)
2 tablespoons Pompeian Jalapeño Red Wine Vinegar (or substitute regular red wine vinegar or additional orange juice)

To Serve You Will Need:

Gluten Free or Organic Corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and feta cheese. These also make perfect lettuce wraps to reduce carbs and calories.

Directions:

Arrange the squash around the edges of a 4-quart or similar slow cooker. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Season the pork with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and black pepper. In a small bowl, combine the cumin, cinnamon, olive oil, chipotle chilis, and adobo sauce to form a paste. Rub all over the pork. Place the pork in the center of the slow cooker (it may overlap slightly with the squash). Top with the onion and garlic. Pour the orange juice and red wine vinegar over the top.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours (the actual cook time may vary based on your slow cooker). Once the meat is tender and cooked through, remove from the slow cooker and transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Shred the pork, then transfer to a large bowl, along with any of the rub that may have come off during shredding. With a slotted spoon, remove the squash and onions from the slow cooker and place in the bowl with the pork. Toss to combine.

To serve: warm the tortillas in the microwave. Fill, then garnish with cilantro, fresh lime juice, and just a few crumbles of cheese. You can even add some plain Greek yogurt for extra yumminess!!

*Ingredient note: Look for chipotle chilis in adobo in the Hispanic food section of most major grocery stores

Chicken, Quinoa & Broccoli Bake

“I LOVE trying new recipes that contain quinoa!!  And to think just a few years ago…I was pronouncing it “kin-oh-a”.  It’s just so versatile!!  You can eat quinoa hot in a savory dish like this, baked with chicken and broccoli, or cold in a salad.

I used FRESH broccoli, not frozen. You know those little “fresh steamer bags” you can get in the produce section. The flavor is so much better than frozen…plus they don’t get a mushy.

This is a super easy recipe and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes!  ENJOY"

Chicken, Quinoa & Broccoli Bake

Ingredients: 3 cups quinoa cooked. (approx. 1 cup uncooked quinoa) 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup) 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (12-ounce) bag broccoli florets 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond or cashew milk 3 tablespoons GF flour 1/3 C sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions: Preheat broiler to high. Cook quinoa according to package directions. While quinoa cooks, heat a large 12-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, mushrooms, and chicken; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Sauté until chicken, mushrooms and onion are done, about 6-8 minutes. Place broccoli into a microwave safe bowl and add 2-3 tablespoons of water. Cover with a plate and cook broccoli in microwave for 3 minutes. Combine milk and flour, stirring with a whisk or fork until smooth. Stir milk mixture into chicken mixture in skillet. Cook 2 minutes or until bubbly and thick, stirring frequently. Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, quinoa, and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1 minute or until cheese melts and just begins to brown. NOTE: If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet use a glass baking dish to broil the casserole.

A Transformation Story; The healing Powers of Super Foods, Adaptogens & Phytonutrients

A Transformation Story

The healing Powers of Super Foods, Adaptogens & Phytonutrients

When I saw this “after” picture of Josh it brought happy tears to my eyes!!

This story is just TOO good not to share!! It’s about a handsome young man, a transformation and the amazing healing powers of adaptogens, phytonutrients and super foods!

I have not had the pleasure of meeting Josh, but I am friends with his awesome mom Veronica! When I reached out to Josh to ask permission to share his story his said "PLEASE DO! I would love you to share it!!!"

Josh recently had orthognathic surgery to correct his malformed and severely misaligned jaw. At the age of 20 he decided it was time to have the surgery to correct what he had been painfully living with his entire life!

The surgeon had to reconstruct his upper and lower jaw and the surgery took over 9 hours, leaving Josh incredibly swollen and in a severe amount of pain!!

The recovery for the surgery is no walk in the park! And of course eating ANYTHING for the first few weeks would be impossible because his jaw would be immobile and wired shut. So he would be on a liquid diet for weeks!

Here’s the cool part!! Rather than rely on a diet of chocolate milk and soup broth for weeks he decided to give Shakeology a try.

He actually had to use a syringe the first few days just to get the Shakeo in, but he managed to do it!! A few days later he was finally able to use a straw! Josh told me that on most days over those few weeks he had 2 shakes a day!!

And so every day for weeks after his surgery, the ONLY nutrition Josh was taking in was Shakeology.

Fast forward 28 days. Checkup time.

The surgeon was simply AMAZED at his recovery. He could not believe that Josh healed so well!!! Happy dances all around!! He actually said his recovery time was TWICE as fast as he expected!!! Holy smokes!! This is a REALLY BIG deal ya'll!!

Not only does he look amazing...he said he feels amazing!!!

I am SO happy for Josh and thrilled that he decided to trust in Shakeology for his nutrition during his recovery. Those super foods, adaptogens and phytonutrients really did their job!

While there are no guarantees in life…if you had the chance to try something that could possibly help your body heal, increase your energy and reduce inflammation, would you be willing to give it a try??

What if, just what if??

Spicy Sausage Mushroom & Barley Stew

Soup, stew and chili weather has FINALLY arrived in Tampa!!! This recipe is one of our favorites! It's only 9:00am and I can't WAIT for dinner!! Is that wrong??

Spicy Sausage, Mushroom & Barley Stew

Ingredients:
2 tsps. olive oil
2 sweet onions chopped
19.5 oz. Jennie-O spicy turkey Italian sausage*
1 1/2 cups celery/sliced
1 1/2 cups carrot/sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
2 cups portobello mushrooms
5 cups thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
(about 12 oz mushrooms)
½ cup uncooked pearl barley
3 (15.75 oz) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

Directions:
Heat oil in a large stew pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion; cook 5 minutes or until slightly soft.

Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage to pan; cook 8 minutes or until sausage is browned, stirring to crumble.

Add celery, carrot, garlic ; cook 10 minutes or until onions are golden brown, stirring frequently.

Stir in mushrooms, cook 10 minutes or until mushrooms release moisture.

Stir in barley, chicken broth, bayleaves and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until barley is tender.

Discard bay leaves, sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.
* You can also use Sweet Italian sausage, or organic chicken sausage.

Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas

For as long as I can remember, Black Eyes Peas have been a New Years Day tradition. I’m not sure when this “ southern tradition” started but I believe it dates WAY back. 

Even though I am not a "native southerner” I have adopted this tradition as part of every New Years! I really enjoy making this delicious recipe…and always make extra to share with friends and neighbors!  This recipe will make a big pot!!!!  Plenty to share!!

The Very Best Healthy Holiday Survival Tips

The Very Best Healthy Holiday Survival Tips

’Tis the Season’ for joy and celebration. 🌲It's also the season for extra baking, parties, and lots of extra distractions!! While we all know there are a variety of excuses to overindulge during the holidays, the best defense against holiday eating disasters is a good plan of action.

So let’s ALL formulate a plan for the rest of the holiday season with our MAIN GOALS in mind! ❤️Staying Healthy 💚Avoiding Weight Gain ❤️Staying Happy & Balanced in mind!! Check these ideas out!!

🌟Don’t ever go to a party hungry!! Drink your Shakeology an hour or so before and get in plenty of water!! In fact...bring a pretty water bottle with you!!! I NEVER go anywhere without one and it keeps your hands busy and away from mindless snacking!!

🌟When people offer you tempting food options that don’t align with your goals, tell them you are ''in training'' to lead a healthier lifestyle. You can be ''in training'' for anything, including living a healthier life!!

🌟Don't allow yourself be "guilted" into over indulging and DON'T make a big deal about what you will or won't eat. The less attention you draw on the subject...the easier it will be!!

🌟Mentally practice passing up foods that you've chosen not to indulge in ahead of time. This really works!

🌟If you plan to drink alcohol, stay away from sugary drinks (sorry eggnog) and keep alternating with glasses of water!

🌟Focus on family, friends and conversations at get togethers. Don’t hang out by the food “table”. Out of sight, out of mind! Grab a small plate and have a taste of a few yummy's and move on.

🌟Did you receive gifts of candy and cookies that you know will be too tempting to avoid? Enjoy one and pass along the gift so others can enjoy! Tis the season, right?? Consider sharing with coworkers or those less fortunate. Drop the goodies at a fire station, local police station, a hospital, your church etc...

🌟As you are preparing the house for the festivities, turn chores into STEALTH exercise!! Put on your headset and your workout clothes to get into workout mode! SWEAT!

🌟Don't forget about getting enough sleep amidst your hectic holiday schedule. ZzZzZzZ Feeling refreshed will help you enjoy the season more!

🌟Continue to exercise, get in your water, eat clean and look for other ways to celebrate the holidays that don't include food. Know yourself and be mindful of the landmines that can sabotage your efforts toward your goals.

📢📢CALL TO ACTION!!! What type of recipes would you like to see here at PattieHusFitandHappy.com in the coming year? Comment below and I'll see what I can do!