Breadless sub

Yummy Sandwich substitutes!

Take all your favorite sammy toppings minus the starchy bread and greasy mayo....and you're left with this great filling snack, and your energy, rather than feeling like taking a nap, the way sandwiches can.  (Because of the combination of bread and protein).

So today i was really craving all these things, but i wanted to make it light, since i did just come off my juice fast.  So i substituted bread for Kirkland whole grain crackers.  Presciutto (my fav deli meat ever!), sliced tomato, spinach, and Kirkland Lake Country cheese.  DEEEELiiiisssh! :P

JUICE FAST!

THE JUICER IS HERE AT LAST!!! 

I'll be starting a juice fast now, so stay in touch for tips and updates of how it goes!

So as it turns out, a juice fast really does get a ton easier the longer you go.  Today was actually fun.  Because i'm feeling more energetic, the pounds are falling off, and i was actually craving....more JUICE!  Not food.  Crazy huh.  I won't lie, i love to eat and i miss food.  But the trick is to not let your mind wonder into that direction.  My body is now just craving what it needs...which are nutrients not found in burgers and fries ;)  It's a great feeling of FREEDOM!

OMG!!!  Just came up with this to satisfy my sugar craving.  MANGO PINEAPPLE BANANA SMOOTHIE!  Yes it's purely fresh juice, but the mango and banana give it a smoothie like texture.  I needed a little change from the thin consistency of my other juices.

RECIPE

1 Mango (ripe but slightly firm-i refrigerate mine) 

1 large banana

a little less than 1/4 pineapple (you can leave the skin and inner core if you want, but i think it gives the juice a weird after taste, so i remove them)

Something you may not know is that carrot juice is VERY sweet.  Not your candy and processed sugar kind of sweet.  But real, natural, healthy, refreshing sweet.  HOWEVER a juice made with bitter carrots is entirely the opposite!  Be sure that you always taste the carrots before you buy them! Again they won't taste like candy, but they should have a sweet juicy flavor.

That being said......

RECIPE

Carrot juice is just fine on it's own, but i like to add a little more for the extra nutrients and flavor.  The more that i put in my juices the more full i feel as well.

*5 carrots (just the tops cut off-no need to peel)

*1 apple 

(golden, fugi, gala your juice, i like to avoid the granny smiths for this juice)

*1 inch peeled ginger root

Run everything through the juicer, drink right away for best benefits.  ENJOY!

Kale and Apple is a perfect combination.

It is mildly sweet, has a vibrant green color (for those of you who have a hard time downing anything that doesn't look appetizing).

If it is still a little rich add ice cubes to dilute.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK!

I've started to really like juices with garlic and tomatoes in them.  It gives a V8 taste.  I actually use only half a beet.  If you're new to juicing i wouldn't recommend this one quite yet.  It is pretty strong, and the mix of all the flavors might be a little hard on your stomach. 

For recipes if you're starting out, take a look at my entire "juice recipes" link.

JUICING TIP #1

If you're not really liking the vegetable juices, try juicing fewer ingredients.  

EX.  

1) 5 carrots 1 peeled cucumber

2) 4 large tomatoes, handful parsley

3) 4 large tomatoes, handful spinach, 2 apples

* Since vegetables are more vital than fruits, these are some ways to consume more vegetables in a tastier way.

JUICE TIP #2

I like to start with fruit juice in the morning, and vegetables the rest of the day.

(It's best to consume fruits in the morning-it boosts your metabolism for the rest of the day)

Mango/Pineapple

orange/banana 

These are my favorites

Portuguese Soup

So I'm not certain if this is an actual Portuguese recipe, but I learned how to make it from a Portuguese woman when i was living in Lisbon Portugal.  enjoy

YUMMY EGG & VEGGIE SOUP

Ingredients

2 eggs

3 handfulls fresh spinach

3 tomatoes

3 carrots

2 stalks celery

1/2 yellow onion

1 can chicken broth

3 cloves garlic

4 Tbls olive oil

approx. 5 c water

4 slices sourdough bread

1 spicy sausage (optional-but i think really gives it a kick)

1 dried bay leaf if possible

Directions

chop onion and garlic cloves
cook on medium heat in saucepan with olive oil and bay leaf and sliced sausage.

Sauté for a couple minutes then add water and broth (here you can add a little salt to absorb the taste).

add chopped carrots & celery.  Bring to boil until softened.  Switch to medium heat and add tomatoes and spinach.   When spinach is cooked add eggs (just put in immediately after cracking, no need to whisk together) and stir.  Salt to taste or add more water if needed.

Serve over a slice of sourdough bread.  Serves 4, unless you're serving hungry men like my husband...then it may just serve the two of you :D