Cookin with the kiddos...simple veggie pasta!

I had the awesome opportunity to babysit two of my nieces last week, for 3 days. Parents were out of town & I was the legal guardian. PART-AY! No no, no parties like that. But we did have some so called parties in the kitchen making foods, and making picture frames!
They told me how they don't know how to cook & I noticed when they come home from school, they raid the kitchen of whatever fast & easy chips or snacks they could find. So, I decided to show them how to cook something easy & healthy with what's in the house! Ta-Da, our Simple Veggie Pasta!

Taylor & I

Me & Hayley

Ingredients:
Pasta
Veggies on hand
Seasonings or sauce on hand you like

Simply cut up whatever veggies you have, season how you like & put on stovetop...

Cook up some pasta & add the veggies to it!

Then watch your dog beg for some, too!

Puggy begging for our food

Girl Power! See, it's easy bein healthy! :)

And here are the awesomely cool picture frames we made!

Left to right: Mine, Taylors, Hayleys. Fabulous!
Mine now for sale on Etsy. Click image to view Etsy page!

Super Triple Threat Girl Power!!! PS- I love my family! :))))

Easy 5 ingredient peanut butter choc chip cookies

I made some yummy, easy & actually healthy cookies! I can't take credit for them, I found the recipe online at http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/5-ingredient-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies/26e085da-b54e-40b8-a6b9-c4f37af2847d

These were so good, even my niece, Lily, liked them!

Easy 5 Ingredient PB Choc Chip Cookies
1 egg (in place of egg you can use a mashed banana)
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Mix all together. Form into balls, as shown. Bake at 350 for 10 min's

They'll come out soft & chewy and stay that way. A few were already missing when I went to check on them! :)

Yum! So Good! And not too bad for us!

Inflammation Cherry Smoothie

I'm starting to feel better! Still can't take my needed Humira shot to help with my RA pain, stiffness & joint swelling. I've heard that dark cherries can help with inflammation. All hail this delicious Inflammation Smoothie!

Handful frozen dark cherries
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons dark chocolate

Blend all together till smooth.

Enjoy!!!

Still very sick - time for 311 !

This post has nothing to do with food, but more an updated health post. Bronchitis isn't letting up, despite these nasty antibiotics. The almost non-stop coughing is really taking a toll on my already sore & swollen ribs. The Prednisone isn't helping much with the inflammation, which is very frustrating. And Fibromyalgia sure doesn't care that I'm sick right now, it still grips its evil little monster-like 'teeth' into my muscles & skin making literally everything, and nothing, severely painful. I keep having small bouts of crying, and I'm a strong little one! I dare anyone to step into my shoes & see how well you handle all this.
With that all said, at this point I can only think it's time to do the only thing that helps when nothing else does...put on some 311 music! 'pnut, beat that thang!' :D
www.311.com
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV6MI9OYG3o&list=PL006F3AA09D639774&feature=c4-overview-vl

Hope you're all staying healthy!!
much love.
JOEY

Easy veggie mix for when Im sick

This little low immune system chica caught her hubbys cold! He got over his in a few days by just resting. Me, I get a fever, bronchitis (as usual), and severe asthma inflammation- all ontop of an RA flare up! I was having trouble breathing & went to the ER. They gave me a breathing treatment & sent me home with lots of meds. So now I'm in super duper healthy eatin mode. I have to! Hence this easy, healthy veggie & egg stir fry.

Sliced potatoes
Broccoli
Red pepper
Onions
Cherry tomatoes
Garlic
1 egg

I enjoyed mine with a glass of Emergen-C and Echinacia tea. Knowing me, this sickness is sticking around for awhile. Hope you're all staying healthy and warm!

Love, peace & veggies. Now time for my nap...cough cough.

Hot & Healthy Hot Chocolate

To me, you can't have winter & snow without hot chocolate, it's a necessity. But, if you're like me, you can't have any store bought or store made sugary concoction. No problem! Here's my recipe for Hot & Healthy Hot Chocolate.

(2) tablespoons dark chocolate powder
1 cup almond milk (or preferred milk)
1-2 drops vanilla extract (or 3-4 mint leaves)
dust with cinnamon (optional)
stand in the snow & drink it (optional)

OK, going back in...too cold! Stay warm, everyone!