My Foodie Call

Dial in to your health.
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Category: Random stuff

    • Make friends with…Medjool dates (and Cocoa Cookie Dough Balls)

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Mar 6th
      Do you do dates? If you have a sweet tooth, make these your  BFF.

      There is a reason they are called nature’s candy. If you have a sweet tooth, make these your
      new BFF.

      What’s up with dates? Are they healthy? Isn’t there too much sugar?

      Yes, there is a decent amount of sugar, but don’t fear, it is naturally occuring. Nothing added. Worth noting: The high fiber content will help slow the bodies blood sugar response. Score.

      Speaking of naturally occuring sugars, same goes for bananas and carrots. I can’t stand when people are afraid of their high sugar content. Yes, bananas are high in fruit sugar, but let’s just stop it.

      Seriously. Let’s just stop.

      Bananas, Carrots and DATES are fruits and vegetables, not a can of Coke.

      Bakc to my Medjools. In addition to the fiber, they also have B Vitamins, Copper, and Potassium.

      Why Medjool Dates VS. other dates?

      Medjools, are the largest, sweetest, and softest of all dates. Because of these traits, they make a great addition to many desserts and raw foods’ recipes. I make many raw dessert balls, but the ones pictured below were one of the first dessert balls that I have ever made and still make time and time again.

      Here is a good recipe to get you started on your Medjool Date journey.

      From Dreena Burton’s Let Them Eat Vegan!

      My crew loves these.

      My crew loves these.

      Cocoa Cookie Dough Balls

      Makes 18 to 20 dough balls

      Ingredients:
      1 cup raw almonds (see note for nut-free option)
      1 cup + 4 TBS rolled oats
      1/4 teaspoon sea salt
      2 cup pitted medjool dates
      1/2 cup raisins
      1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
      2 tsp pure vanilla extract
      4 TBS dark chocolate chips

      In a food processor, process the almonds until fine and crumbly.  Then add remaining ingredients (except the optional chocolate chips) and process.  Once the mixture starts to become crumbly, process fully for a minute or two.  It will appear as if nothing is happening at first, that the mixture is just whirring around in crumbs, but soon it will start to become sticky.  When you see it start to become a little sticky, add the chocolate chips and process again.  Continue to process until it forms a ball on the blade.  Stop the machine and remove the dough.

      Take small coops of the dough (1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons in size) and roll in your hand.  Repeat until you have rolled all of the dough.

      I usually keep some in the fridge and pop some in the freezer, but they do not last too long.

      I usually keep some in the fridge and some in the freezer, but they do not last too long in either. :/.

      Posted in Desserts, Make friends with..., Snacks | Tagged almonds, dates, oats
    • Thoughts on Granola… (and an Almond Chia Granola recipe)

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Mar 4th
      Granola done light.

      Granola done light.

      Recently I was asked if I had a good granola recipe to use as a yogurt topper. Hmm, this takes some thought. For myself, this can sort of turn into a lengthy conversation because honestly??

      I am not the biggest advocate for granola.

      I used to make granola all of the time, but now kind of steer clear of it. Why?

      Gobs of sugar.

      While there are plenty of low-fat options out there, most of these have too much sugar and hardly make the benefits of granola worth it. Why do people feel like granola is healthy? Well, look at the nickname that earthy-type eaters are given: “Granola”.  

      “Oh, she’s so Granola….”

      This nickname implies to a person that lives off the land, wears Birkenstocks and is the picture of health, right?

      But in reality, granola is just not that good for you. Too much sugar. The health benes from granola are really in the oats and nuts, so why not just eat those? It is in fact these same oats and nuts that provide the fiber that consumers are searching for.

      Fiber= good. Loads of sugar=bad.

      Again, not worth it.

      It is for this reason that I tend to lean towards straight up “cereal” as a topping for yogurts. For example, good old-fashioned Cheerios, has 3 grams fiber and only 1 gram of sugar for a whole cup (and 100 calories). Yes, Cheerios can be a tad boring,but still, you get a whole cup of it.

      If you do want to go the granola route, this is what I sometimes will buy.

      vanilla alomnd

      Yes it is low in sugar, but here is the deal.

      4 grams of sugar, 120 calories for ONLY 1/4 cup.

      Translation. BARELY ANY. So it is up to you which you would prefer. 8 oz of Cheerios (1 gram sugar) on top of your yogurt or 2 oz of Bare Naked Granola (4 grams sugar).

      For me? I am all about quantity. I’d rather eat more.

      This granola question did get me motivated to make granola again. I did sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, and CHIA (of course). And I think it turned out pretty good, if you want to give it a shot too.

      Check it out.

      Here is my dry ingredients.

      Here is my dry ingredients.

      And the wet.

      And the wet.

      Mix the two.

      Mix the two.

      Spread on a prepared baking sheet.

      Spread on a prepared baking sheet. Bake. Make your house smell crazy good.

      A low-sugar granola.

      Top it. A low-sugar granola.

       

      Low-Sugar Almond Chia Granola

      • 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
      • 1 cups of sliced almonds
      • 1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds (optional: food processor them for less crunch)
      • 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
      • 2 Tablespoons of cinnamon
      • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
      • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla
      • 3/4 cups of no-sugar-added applesauce
      • 2 tablespoons honey

      Directions:

      1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
      2. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
      3. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
      4. Add wet ingredients to the dry and blend.
      5. Add a teaspoon or two of coconut oil if it seems a bit too dry.
      6. Spread the granola on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
      7. Bake the granola in the oven for 45 minutes, mixing up the granola blend every ten minutes.
      8. Taking baking sheet out, lower heat to 200.
      9. Drizzle 1 tablespoon honey over the top and stir.
      10. Bake for another 25 minutes, stirring midway.
      11. When you’re done, let the granola cool before storing.
      12. You could add raisins or cranberries to the mixture when cooled, but if you are truly trying to follow a low-sugar diet, you should skip it because it is good stuff that way it is!
      Granola done light.

      Granola done light.

      Posted in Breakfast, Desserts, Random stuff, Snacks | Tagged almonds, chia, oats, sunflower seeds
    • The Goldfish Cracker Taste Test: Whole Grain vs. Regular

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Feb 22nd
      IMG_4161

      Could you taste the difference?

      So one of the My Foodie Call kids complains because I buy the Whole Grain Goldfish.

      “Why can’t you buy the normal kind?” 

      I hear this a lot.

      I argue with him incessantly that both Goldfish crackers really are the same. They taste the same and Whole Grain Goldfish are still plenty junky, promise.

      Yes,  I fully acknowledge on this blog, that yes Whole Grain Goldfish are NOT good for you. Not healthy.

      But in this fast food world, when a mom is to conform, what is a mom to do??

      Pick the lesser of two evils.

      The Whole Grain Goldfish.

      Can you tell which is regular and which is whole grain?

      Could you tell which is regular…

      and which is whole grain?

      and which is whole grain based on taste?

      Decided to stop this long-standing argument  in its tracks and conduct an experiment. Enough of the complaining and let’s see if they really taste so different, shall we?

      Super top secret. Mr. Foodie Call pointed out that I should not have let people see the actual crackers. True. I never said my test wasn't flawed.

      Super top-secret Goldfish cracker bowls. Mr. Foodie Call pointed out that I should not have let people see the actual crackers. True. I never said my test wasn’t flawed.

      After trying one from each bowl, I told them to write down which cracker is REGULAR: 1 or 2.

      Let’s see how well they do…

      The testing began.

      The testing began. 

      We even had a neighborhood friend over who only eats regular and  swears he'll know the difference.

      We even had a neighborhood boy over who only eats regular and swears he’ll know the difference.

      Even Mr. Foodie Call jumped on the taste test.

      Even Mr. Foodie Call jumped on the taste test…

      and he did the back and forth thing several times. Serious stuff.

      and he did the back and forth thing several times. Serious stuff.

      The votes are in.

      The votes for "regular".

      Remember they are supposed to write down which number they think is “regular”. If you look closely, the top two votes are for #1 as the regular cracker and the bottom votes claim that it’s number #2.

      Who is right?

      Number 1 it is.

      Number 1 is the regular Goldfish cracker. Hmm…

      What does this mean?

      That  the two boys bottom votes picked the wrong Goldfish and did not know the difference.

      Smirk.

      However…there is more to this story.

      Although I did admit that Whole Grain Goldfish are hardly healthy, check this out…

      Upon closer inspection I couldn't believe that there was pretty much zero difference in the nutritional content of the two. Whole grain has a tad more fiber. Hmm. Looks like I got played as well.

      Upon closer inspection I couldn’t believe that there was pretty much zero difference in the nutritional content of the two. Whole grain has a tad more fiber. Hmm. Looks like I got played as well. 

      Not caring. A little more fiber is better than nothing. Whole grain it is.

      Posted in Random stuff | Tagged kids
    • Build-your-own: Greens and Grains Veggie Bowls

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Feb 20th

      So I belong to this really awesome lunch group called the Taste and See. Basically the Taste and See is just a group of women  that meet once a month in someone’s home to prepare and cook incredible plant-based meals. The lunches are held from 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM, and really…we just learn from each other and eat a great meal.

      That simple. I am not sure about you, but I eat on the go WAY too much. Sitting an eating a lunch with awesome people and good conversation should be a top priority. I am working on this….

      Furthermore, the relationships that I have developed through the Taste and See have been so rewarding and to eat great food together? Bonus.

      As mentioned, this lunch group only meets once a month and we keep it simple. 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Each menu is different, brainstormed and  decided upon a few months in advance, and then ingredients are divvied up so we can shop, and then create kitchen mayhem.

      We cook, sit, eat, leave. Good food, good conversation. Love it.

      If you live in the Charleston area, take a break and come join us. http://www.totallyfit.org/totally-fit-programs/taste-and-see/

      The point of today’s post?

      Right in line with the adult Taste and See, we felt the need to get the kids in the kitchen for their own Taste and See. Whether they want to or not. 🙂 It’s all fine if mom is eating healthy but to try to execute that on the home front? This is a whole different ballgame. Especially with the junk food forces at school and soccer shenanigans working against us. So the mission for the Kids’ Taste and See was to keep it simple, get the kids cooking, and possibly open some eyes to wholesome, plant-based foods.

      Alas, the Taste and See 2. Same deal, 11:00 AM-1:00PM, except not monthly…baby steps.

      This past Monday we had our third Taste and See 2 (woot woot), and it was fun, fast and all hands were on deck.

      On the menu? We did a “Build-your-own” Greens and Grains Veggie Bowl. Check out a few pictures from our day, and if you scroll through, you will see the actual menu further below.

      IMG_4177

      Cooking up some broccoli and cauliflower. We try to get the kids to do as much as possible, although parents are around to help and guide if need be.

      Dicing some avocado.

      Slicing some avocado.

      My little lady hard at work.

      My own little  tall lady hard at work.

      Older kids were assigned the more difficult cutting, like carrots, while the younger ones did the leafy greens.

      Older kids were assigned the more difficult cutting, like carrots, while the younger ones did the leafy greens.

      Making the peanut sauce. This one was my favorite!

      Measuring and whisking up the peanut sauce. This one was my fave!

      These were put together by the younger kids.

      These were put together by the younger kids. There was a job for everyone.

      IMG_4190

      Pick your green, pick your grain. Pretty self-explanatory. Purposely did not include brown rice in our assembly line. Why? Most kids do just fine with rice. The point is for kids to venture out and possibly explore farro…

      Really the possibilities are endless with this. We kept the options some what minimal so that we could stay within our time constraints and not have mom's buying too many ingredients.

      Really the possibilities are endless with this. We limited the options so that parents didn’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford their ingredients.

      The crew. Ready to divide and conquer.

      The crew. Ready to divide and conquer.

      Okay, so a couple of things on the pictures. There are not near as many as I would have liked for various reasons.

      For example, I had to shoot home because I forgot to bring one crucial ingredient for one of our sauces, miso paste. Womp Womp…Also regarding the pictures. Although the boys do not appear to have helped at all in the prep, it’s because while I was home getting the miso, they had been there, done that. By the time I got back with the stuff they were way beyond their kitchen duties and practicing their zip-lining skills out back of the house.

      Another thing. I kind of attacked the food when I got back so no end result Grains and Greens Veggie Bowl picture. Forgive me if I post our exact menu??

      Kids Taste and See 2-

      February 17, 2014

      Grains and Greens Bowls

      (main course)

      Choose your greens:

      • Organic Romaine Hearts (1 package, chopped)
      • Organic Spinach (1-5 oz package, chopped)

      Choose your grain:

      • Whole Wheat Couscous (cook according to package instructions)
      • Farro (cook according to package instructions)

      Choose your vegetables:

      • Broccoli (1 head, chopped and lightly cooked)
      • Cauliflower (1 head, chopped and lightly cooked)
      • Sweet potato  (2 lb. bag cooked and cubed)
      • Carrots (1 package long, chopped and lightly cooked)
      • Red peppers (2, seeds removed, and fine-chopped)
      • Cucumber (2 peeled and fine chopped)
      • Avocado (2, cubed)

      Choose your protein:

      • garbanzo beans (1 can organic)
      • black beans (1 can organic)
      • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
      • 1/2 cup pepitas

       Sauces

      1) Ginger-sesame Sauce

      • 2 cloves garlic, minced
      • 4 tsp toasted sesame oil
      • 1 tsp fresh ginger
      • 2 tsp white miso
      • Juice of 1 lemon
      • 2 tbsp soy sauce
      • 2-4 Tbsp Honey, to taste
      • Approximately 1/4 cup both water and extra virgin olive oil (until you reach desired consistency and taste)

      Whisk together until well incorporated

      2) Peanut Sauce 

      • 6 tbsp natural smooth peanut butter (melt it a bit if too hard)
      • 2 cloves garlic, minced
      • 2-4 tsp ginger, grated
      • 2-4 tsp soy sauce, to taste
      • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
      • Add water until you reach desired consistency

      Whisk together until well incorporated

      Dessert

      Walnut Oatmeal Date Balls

      Ingredients:

      • 12 Medjool dates, pitted
      • 2/3 cup old fashioned oats
      • 1 cup raw walnuts

      Directions:

      1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until everything is blended together and a thick batter forms
      2. Roll batter into balls and refrigerate until ready to eat

      http://www.pbfingers.com/2012/03/04/walnut-oatmeal-date-balls

      Drink

      Raspberry Zinger Iced Tea with Stevia

      • 1 box Celestial Seasonings raspberry zinger tea bags
      • Stevia

      Pour 8 cups boiling water over eight tea bags in a heat-resistant container. Steep 4 to 6 minutes and remove tea bags. If desired, add sweetener while tea is hot. Add 4 cups cold water and chill.

      Posted in Meatless mealtime, Random stuff | Tagged avocado, beans, broccoli, kids
    • Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream Cups (vegan=no dairy=a good thing.)

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Feb 18th

      Today feels like Spring. Sorry Northeast, it feels like Spring down here. Anyhow, this weather calls for a cold, sweet and creamy dessert.

      creamy and dramy

      Cute, frozen, and strawberry. 

      Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream Cups

      Ingredients

      • 2 cans full fat coconut milk
      • 12 oz bag frozen strawberries (about 1 pound)
      • 3/4 cup agave nectar
      • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
      • 5 oz plastic cups

      Directions

      Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into 5 oz cups and place in the freezer for 2-2 1/2 hours depending on how frozen you want it (and how patient you can be.)

      Enjoy!

      Enjoy!

      Posted in Random stuff | Tagged coconut, strawberry, vegan
    ← Older posts
    Newer posts →
    • You missed a call?

      • Make friends with…Bean Pasta.
      • Whole Wheat Flax ‘N Apple Muffins
      • Small changes…Eat what’s in season.
      • Whole Wheat Broccoli Mac N Cheese
      • What I pack my kid.
    • Categories

      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Make friends with…
      • Meatless mealtime
      • Pancake Day
      • Random stuff
      • Salads, Soups, and Sides
      • Small changes
      • Snacks
      • What I pack my kid.
    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • dial in to your health

  • The Stuff

    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Make friends with…
    • Meatless mealtime
    • Pancake Day
    • Random stuff
    • Salads, Soups, and Sides
    • Small changes
    • Snacks
    • What I pack my kid.
  • What have I missed?

    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • August 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • October 2011

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • My Foodie Call
    • Join 61 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • My Foodie Call
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...