My Foodie Call

Dial in to your health.
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    • Huevos Rancheros Enchiladas for 8th Grade Spanish

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Mar 8th

      So my 13-year-old daughter is taking 8th grade Spanish. At the end of each chapter her teacher holds a fiesta and parents are asked to contribute a food item native to the country or chapter they have just completed. Worth noting, these celebrations are for REAL Spanish foods.

      Do you know of any authentic Spanish foods? Apparently I do not either. I am learning though.

      For the first two fiestas, my Spanish concoctions were duds, I am ashamed to say. The first recipe was a Spanish Tortilla, which is like a big potato omelette thing. Turned out horribly wrong and pretty much ruined my cast iron pan. :(. I havent touched that pan since the tortilla fiasco because it took me hours days of scrubbing. While I was not at the actual fiesta to see if kids actually tried it, the My Foodie Call daughter told me that kids had no idea what it was and pretty much steered clear. Fail.

      The second fiesta I made a drink…this egg nog-like thing called a Coquito. I whipped a huge batch of this up in the blender and actually attended the fiesta this time, drink in tow. This drink was loaded with sugar. A winner right?

      Wrong.

      The kids went right past the Coquito and dove into the soda. hmmm.

      According to dear daughter, “Everyone thought it was gross”.

      What?????? Seriously?? I am convinced that no one even really tried it. 13-year-old closed minds. I might as well have just poured a 5 lb bag of sugar into the blender.

      Fast forward to fiesta #3. The Texas Fiesta.

      Finally! Tex-Mex. That, I can do. Found this recipe, have made it twice, and I will be making it again.

      These are not tortillas. These are egg crepes wrapped around a brown rice/bean concoction.

      Don’t be fooled. These are not tortillas. These are egg crepes wrapped around a brown rice/bean concoction.

      Recipe from: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/huevos-rancheros-enchiladas/

      Huevos Rancheros Enchiladas

      Serves 6

      • 10 medium eggs
      • ½ cup chopped onion
      • 1 tsp. ground cumin
      • 1 ½ cups cooked pinto beans
      • 1 tsp. minced garlic
      • 1 cup water or vegetable broth
      • 1 cup cooked brown rice
      • 1 ½ cups prepared salsa
      • ½ cup reduced-fat Monterey jack cheese

      1. Whisk eggs with 6 Tbs. water in bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Heat 8-inch nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup egg mixture into skillet, and swirl to coat bottom completely (like a crêpe). Cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until egg is firm in center. Slide onto paper-towel-lined plate. Top with paper towel. Repeat with remaining eggs to make 12 thin egg crêpes, then cool.

      2. Wipe out skillet, coat with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cumin to skillet, cover, and cook 3 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add pinto beans, garlic, and water or vegetable broth. Cover, and simmer 5 minutes. Mash some of the beans to thicken sauce, add cooked brown rice and 1/2 cup prepared salsa. Cook 5 minutes more, or until only a little liquid remains.

      3. Roll 1/4 cup filling in each egg crêpe, and place in large baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour 1 cup prepared salsa down center of enchiladas, and sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese. Bake 15 minutes at 350°F, or until enchiladas are heated through and cheese has melted.

      Wish the picture was a tad fancier, but this was taken seconds before heading to 8th grade!

      Wish the picture was a tad fancier, but this was taken seconds before heading to 8th grade!

      Posted in Breakfast, Meatless mealtime, Random stuff | Tagged beans, brown rice, egg
    • 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
    • Whole Wheat Baked Veggie Pasta

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Mar 2nd
      Whole Wheat and loaded with veggies.

      Cheesy, baked whole wheat pasta and has 4 different veggies.

      Is pasta your go-to meal when you are in a time crunch? Yah, me too. Try this one to amp up the veggies in your diet.

      Check it out.

      Cook your pasta.

      Cook your pasta.

      Crushed tomatoes. Veggie #1.

      Crushed tomatoes. Veggie #1.

      An entire can of pumpkin. Veggie #2.

      An entire can of pumpkin. Veggie #2.

      Peas and Carrots. Holy Moly, veggie #'s 3 and 4.

      Peas and Carrots. Holy Moly. Veggie #’s 3 and 4.

      Big dose of cheese.

      Big dose of cheese.

      Stir it.

      Stir it.

      Spread it.

      Spread it.

      Top it.

      Top it.

      Plate it. Not sure we even need that side salad.

      Plate it.

      Whole Wheat Vegetable Baked Pasta

      Ingredients

      • 1 lb small whole wheat penne (or other shape, doesn’t matter…)
      • 1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes (I used the crushed tomatoes with basil)
      • 1-16 oz bag frozen peas and carrots blend
      • 1-15 oz can of pumpkin
      • 2 cups shredded mozzarella (try to get low-sodium if possible)
      • 4 tsp dry parsley
      • 1 Tbs dry oregano
      • 1/2 tsp pepper
      • 1 tsp  sea salt

      Directions

      1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
      2) Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
      3) Gently stir in tomatoes, vegetables, pumpkin, 1 cup cheese, and seasonings.
      4) Spoon it all into a prepared 9×13″ baking dish.
      5) Sprinkle the last amount of cheese over the top of the pasta.
      6) Bake until cheese is melted on top, about 35-45 minutes.
      7) Let pasta set for 5-10 minutes.
      Posted in Meatless mealtime | Tagged pumpkin, whole wheat pasta
    • Healthy Fruit and Protein Snack Wrap

      Posted at 8:00 pm by myfoodiecall
      Feb 27th
      Yup, those are green grapes.

      A sweet snack (or lunch).

      Remember my post about Ezeikel Bread? Guess what. Food for Life (the Ezekiel bread people) make other stuff besides bread, like these wraps.

      If you forgot what sprouted grains are better than whole wheat, go back and read the link above.

      Sprouted Grain Tortillas

      Of course you do not have to use Ezekiel Tortilla. If you are just starting your health journey, start small and buy straight up whole wheat tortillas. Still be delish. :).

       Try this yummy dessert-snack-breakfast-could be a meal recipe by following these directions.

      Make your spread. It's easy don't sweat it.

      Make your spread. It’s easy, don’t sweat it.

      Grate your apple. Or fine chop it if you are on a time crunch.

      Grate your apple. Or fine chop it if you are on a time crunch.

      Plate your tortilla.

      Plate your tortilla.

      Your spread.

      Spread your spread. Profound, I know.

      Add your apple.

      Add your apple.

      Then some sliced grapes and drizzled honey.

      Then some sliced grapes.

      Wrap it.

      Wrap it.

      Arrange in pretty stack on plate so people think you worked hard.

      Cut and arrange in a pretty stack on a plate so people think you worked hard.

      Healthy Fruit and Protein Wrap

      Ingredients

      For the spread:

      • 6-7oz  silken firm tofu (Eyeball it. Don’t stress on it being exact. It’ll still work.)
      • 3 Tbs. natural peanut butter (No Jif, Skippy or any of that other nonsense. Your peanut butter should just be peanuts. And maybe some salt.)
      • 1 tsp chia seeds
      • 3 Tbs. Honey
      • 2 tsp cinnamon

      1) Mash it really good OR process in the food processor until creamy (what I did)

      For the wrap:

      • 1 package sprouted tortilla (or whole wheat tortilla)
      • 2-3 apples, shredded or fine chopped (I used granny smith, but use what you have!)
      • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
      • 6 halved red seedless grapes

      1) Spread tofu/peanut butter mixture on tortilla.

      2) Place grated apple and grapes on top.

      3) Roll up tortilla, folding in sides as you go.

      4) Slice and serve.

      Kids can easily help with this one too.

      Kids can easily help with this one too.

      Posted in Desserts, Meatless mealtime, Snacks | Tagged chia, peanut butter, tofu
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    • 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.
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    dial in to your health

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    • Desserts
    • Make friends with…
    • Meatless mealtime
    • Pancake Day
    • Random stuff
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    • What I pack my kid.
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