Category Archives: Recipes

SALSA RECIPE

We finally got a blender. It’s a decent one, not the one I dream of. I dream of a vita-mix or a Ninja that can help me make all of the vegan goodies.

This blender is good though, and I’m happy with it. I’m making lots of green smoothies and we finally did a salsa experiment. It was delicious, fresh but my hubby thought not salty enough. Eating less salt takes time as your palate adjusts.

Happy Thursday. Here’s the easy peasy recipe. Enjoy 

You will need:

Six Roma tomatoes.

a small can no salt diced tomatoes.

A quarter of a large red onion.

Two green onions.

1 clove garlic.

Half jalapeño.

Handful of cilantro.

Juice of one lime.

Dash of salt and pepper to taste.

This is so easy. Dice the Roma tomatoes. Add to blender with the canned no salt diced tomatoes with juice. Add all ingredients and blend until you achieve a salsa consistency. Do not over blend if you like chunky salsa. Add to bowl and flavor with a dash of salt and pepper. Garnish with a few chopped green onions.

This recipe can be altered to any taste you have. Get creative. I know some people who roast the veggies before making the salsa. I may try that next.

We loved it. I put mine on my tofu wrap and my hubby ate his with tortilla chips. It really was so fresh.

Let me know if you attempt  homemade salsa.

Have a wonderful day. Love and light, Rose

 

 

 

BENDERFITNESS COLLABORATION

http://www.benderfitness.

Happy Sunday to all. I have exciting news. I’m collaborating with Melissa Bender Fitness. I will be contributing one vegan recipe each week to be shared on her website. I love this because I admire all that she does. Her fitness website and YouTube channel are game changers. She’s completely authentic, real, and professional. Not only is she a fitness trainer, she’s a certified yoga teacher, a running coach and an Occupational Therapist. Her website has a wealth of knowledge and videos for any type of workout you are looking for. She’s my go to for yoga, workout videos, and professional advice and recipes for wellness. She has guided my journey and is one of my inspirations in life.  Benderfitness is the complete package and it’s all free. No fees needed. I suggest you check it out.

Happy Sunday. I look forward to sharing my vegan recipes. Some will be healthy and some will be vegan comfort food because I’m a firm believer that living a life of balance creates joy. We all need more joy going forward.
Namaste, Manga, and Happy Cooking.
With Gratitude,

Rose

 

 

TRADER JOE’S INSPIRED SOUP

I love Trader Joe’s, I really love it there. When we lived in West Hollywood CA I used to walk to two local Trader Joe’s, one on the Sunset Strip and the other on Santa Monica Blvd. the management and staff were always just wonderful, like family. When our cat Stormy passed away in 2013 the kind staff gave us a dragon plant, which means life and living. Very healing indeed. That’s Trader Joe’s, the staff ended up being my friends and it was hard to say goodbye when we moved. 

We don’t get to The Trader Joe’s here in the Woodlands TX as often as I like, but after shopping there on my day off I realized that needs to change. The staff is equally kind, and when I wrote a kind email asking if they could offer vegan creamer at the coffee station I received a personal text from the manager. He was so cool, and Monday I noticed they offered coconut creamer at the coffee station. I’m very grateful to our local Trader Joe’s, it must be their culture to be so wonderful. They even play great music.

I also love Trader Joe’s because I get inspired to create when I’m there. This weeks creation is Vegan vegetable soup with red lentil pasta. It was so easy and healthy. Here’s my newest soup. It was extra delicious after my Wednesday workout and cardio. 

You will need Trader Joe’s Mirepoix Mix,

8 chopped garlic gloves,

1 TBS olive oil,

3 cartons low sodium vegetable broth,

3 cans no salt diced tomatoes,

1 bag mixed cabbage,

1/2 bag fresh green beans,

1 bag frozen sweet corn,

1 bag frozen mixed vegetables,

1/2 bag mushrooms,

1 full bag red lentil pasta,

salt, pepper, basil, Italian seasoning.


Step one,  bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook red lentil pasta for six minutes. Drain and set aside. Sauté mirepoix mix (diced celery, onions, carrots) in olive oil for 5 minutes, add garlic and cook a few more minutes. Add 3 cartons vegetable broth, cabbage, green beans, frozen corn, frozen mixed vegetables, mushrooms, canned tomatoes and pasta and season to taste. Cook on low for one hour and 15 minutes. You can add any vegetable you like, it was so delicious and hearty. We served it with whole grain rosemary sourdough bread we found at HEB. We love HEB too, a wonderful place to grocery shop with equally kind staff. I made sure I counted my points, and I really enjoyed the bread and soup with zero guilt. Sometimes recipes do not need to be complicated to be delicious and of course healthy.

If you live near a Trader Joe’s I recommend you go and see what food inspires you. Happy cooking, eating and health to you and yours. Love and Light,

Rose 

 

 

MEXICAN LASAGNA

Today was a long day and not my most positive of days. A lot of issues seemed to weigh down on me, more than my weight issues. I refuse to deviate from my goals though, My emotions will no longer be a reason for me to go off my food plan or to have a binge.  I’m trying to keep going, but I definitely was not my jovial self today. I know I won’t always be perfect but I just started and I plan to stay the course. I’m posting from my phone because I’m having computer issues. It’s ok, I got this. Weigh in day is soon approaching.

 

Yesterday I made a fifteen bean soup, it’s Mexican inspired. I decided to make it into a Mexican Bake inspired by a recipe of Mexican Lasagna I found on a YouTube Channel called Jeanne Schumacher -Plant Power. I recently discovered her Channel and I love it.  I used my bean soup in place of the mashed beans and used mild salsa and green salsa. Here’s the link to her recipe on her YouTube Channel. She offers so much practical advice for transitioning to a Whole Foods Plant Based lifestyle. I hope you enjoy. 

 

EASY ITALIAN CHICKEN

Hello to all and Happy Saturday.

I am busy, and sometimes it leaves little time to cook. I do love to cook, when I have time to be creative in the kitchen I can concoct some delicious recipes. On other days I try to cook something that takes little time and preparation. Let’s face it, we are busy but we still wish to eat healthy and delicious home cooked food. I tend to cook a lot of soups and chicken dishes, foods that help me stay within my smart points on Weight Watchers.

One of my go to recipes is a one pot chicken dish, Italian style. Have you heard of Dump Cakes? It is when you just throw all the ingredients in a pan and bake and voila you have cake. This is my version but with chicken.  It is absolutely delicious and low smart points if you follow Weight Watchers. I usually serve it with mashed cauliflower. One pot meals make eating healthy and staying within calorie and point range seamless. I buy frozen chicken because I am on a budget, but the recipe can be used with fresh chicken as well. I hardly call it a recipe, it is so simple to cook. Healthy home cooking on a budget doesn’t have to be complicated.

My portion of one piece of chicken, mashed cauliflower, sauce and one small red potato was 10 points.

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Manga 

You will need:

I bag of frozen chicken

Two tablespoons olive oil

Vegetables of your choice cut into pieces. I used Portobello mushrooms, zucchini, red and white onions, yellow squash, red potatoes, green and red peppers, and about 8 cloves of garlic. 

Two cans crushed tomatoes (low sodium)

Half can of water

salt, pepper, oregano

In large roaster, add two tablespoons of olive oil. Than add chicken, vegetables and potatoes and garlic. Finally, add two cans of crushed tomatoes, garlic, and season with just a little bit of salt, pepper and oregano. 

Mix all ingredients and cover, baking for over an hour at 375. It depends on your oven, mine took a while. I always just check the chicken. The package of frozen chicken says to bake it for 30 minutes, but that is not correct for my oven. My chicken took over an hour.

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This is a simple recipe, and it makes the most delicious sauce. It is all done in the oven. The Mashed Cauliflower is so simple as well. 

Boil Cauliflower until soft. I just added two tablespoons of lite butter and used a potato masher. I spooned in some of the tomato sauce for flavor and mixed with pepper, oregano and a dash of sea salt.

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Happy Saturday. Food that is simple leaves more time to get active. Have a wonderful day.

Rose

EASY WINTER SOUP

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It has been so cold here in LA, San Francisco cold. When it is chilly like this you want comfort food to warm your body and soul. Soup is cold weather food but it is also a wonderful opportunity to cook with a lot of vegetables. Last night my hubby requested I make healthy soup and I obliged because we are trying to get back to eating clean and healthy in the new year.  I was planning on making my vegetarian Split Pea Soup ( Here is the recipe) http://mychangeforaten.com/how-to-make-vegetarian-split-pea-soup/

Trader Joe’s did not have any split peas so I decided to make Chicken Sausage soup with lots of fresh vegetables. I am on a quest to eat less meat, and I am limiting my use of animal products with hopes to transition to vegetarianism and later veganism. In the meantime, I do use some animal products and this soup is one of those times. Below is the recipe given to me by my friend Cameron. I am back on track for the new year, and soup is my go to meal. Here is the link to the workout I am doing tonight after work. http://www.benderfitness.com/2017/01/arm-leg-sculpting-home-workout.htmlreciperecipe1

Cameron, like me rarely eats pasta so we both substituted shredded cabbage for the pasta. I used two cartons of low sodium vegetable broth for the chicken broth. I used spicy chicken sausage and it really flavors the soup so I just seasoned it with very little salt, some dried basil and black pepper. We skipped the Parmesan Cheese. 

This soup is as easy as it is written out. We had a simple salad of romaine, tomatoes, red onion and oil and vinegar. I am really trying to limit our sodium intake. 

This meal was healthy and so satisfying. We completed the meal with sprouted bread topped with Miyokos non dairy creamery spread, made out of Coconut oil and organic Cashews. It was delicious, but of course we used portion control. I read about it in the Magazine VegNews and when I went to Trader Joe’s I was delightfully surprised to see it on the shelf, and it really was a hit with my husband James.

I hope you are having a wonderful beginning  2017, and if you find yourself needing healthy soup to warm you up, give this a try and let me know how you like it. Every day is a new opportunity to get inspired and chase your goals, even when it is cold outside.

Much love and light,

Rose 15870575_10154786151473617_1135422458_n

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Trader Joe’s Lentil Dip

 

 

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If you have followed me or you know me, you know I am often inspired when I walk into a Trader Joe’s. I love it and love their products. I sometimes think I am their biggest fan.

I had the opportunity to sample this Trader Joe’s recipe at one of my local Trader Joe’s some time ago, and I decided to recreate it at home and serve with all natural plantain chips. The original recipe calls for plain feta, but as the suggestion of a Trader Joe’s crew mate I used Mediterranean feta instead. This could be served over fish or chicken, or as a side dish as well as a dip. It was so delicious, both James and I loved this dip and we will be having it again. We killed it!!

INGREDIENTS

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1 package Trader Joe’s Steamed & Fully Cooked Lentils, rinsed to remove extra sodium

1 package Trader Joe’s Mediterranean feta cheese

1 container (7.25 oz) Trader Joe’s bruschetta Sauce

 

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, combine steamed lentils,  Mediterranean feta and bruschetta sauce, then stir. Serve cold with homemade or store-bought plantain chips. Trader Joe’s has two types of plantain chips and both only have two ingredients, a clean eating win. I am absolutely hooked on this healthy dip as I know you will be as well.  

You can treat your body as a temple and still enjoy the pleasures of life. Healthy does not equal boring.  As with everything I practice portion control.

Manga’

Rose

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MASTERING THE ART OF FRUGAL COOKING

“Life itself is the proper binge.”
Julia Child

It was the movie Julie and Julia that inspired me to write a blog. I was living in NYC and already on my way to really delving into my poetry and writing. I saw the movie and fell in love. I felt such a connection to the film.  I was living in NYC but I have always dreamed of Paris. NYC was my first dream and I was living in the midst of it. In the film Julia Child seems to just eat up life, and I totally related to her attitude and outlook of the beauty of being alive. The food in the film, and the locations were definitely the co-stars. I admit I have seen it over a 100 times. Food does really bring people together.

When I moved to LA I tried to write a few other blogs but I was lacking definition. I did not wish to have a poetry blog since I hoped to one day have a book. That dream did come true and you can find my poetry book here. https://www.amazon.com/Camellia-Snow-Rose-Bruno-Bailey/dp/1515347141 

Back to blogging. As I settled in LA I put on a lot of weight, and I finally realized it and decided to do something about it. Here is my blog story http://mychangeforaten.com/about/

Update to now, I am down almost 60 pounds, I have been through a few moves and I am back in LA stronger than ever. I am on a quest to lose more weight and I am also on a fitness journey and as soon as we settle in I will be back at doing charities.  I am not cheating on my diet until my 50th Birthday December 21st. I started on the summer solstice and I am continuing until the winter solstice. I got this and I am going strong. Committing to no cheat days is really a game changer for me. We have been through a lot and this personal commitment has made all the difference for me. I have taken to cooking at home because of finances. Finances will not stop my goals. I am mastering the art of frugal healthy cooking, for my fitness goals. Last night I made cauliflower and zucchini nachos, inspired by delish.com. I think you will absolutely love them, The addition of the rotel tomatoes is a game changer I believe. These gluten-free nachos are my new go to recipe when I feel I need a semi splurge and they are so easy and economical. I think Julia Child would approve.

Bon Appetit’

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Inspired by a recipe on delish.com

I head of Cauliflower

i cup of sliced zucchini

3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Half packet of gluten free mild taco seasoning

sprinkle of garlic powder

1 bag cheddar/jack cheese shredded

1 can mild Rotel tomatoes (makes the recipe)

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half jar of mild salsa

1 sliced avocado

Greek yogurt or sour cream

Pre-heat oven to 425

Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray. Spread out sliced cauliflower and zucchini, coat with extra virgin Olive Oil, and half packet of mild taco seasoning and garlic powder and mix and coat generously.

Bake for 20 minutes

Add bag of cheese and bake another 5 minutes.

Add one can of Rotell tomatoes, generous amount of salsa.  I put on greek yogurt and avocado for each personal serving.

This was the most amazing dish and so yummy. You could add meat or meat substitute if you wish.

I can see why they call the website delish. Thanks Delish. com and of course Julie Child for inspiring me to do this dish.

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HOMEMADE BREAKFAST BARS

Hello to all. I have not posted in a while, my computer was down but I am happy to say it is working once again. In the time it was down I updated my Instagram and my Facebook page and I have been going strong. You can find me on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/MyChangeForATen/ 

It has been almost one month since the Summer Solstice and I have not cheated once, and I am killing my workouts. I am combining my http://www.benderfitness.com workouts with what I learned from my trainer Mike and working out outdoors at the park. I am doing cardio six days a week and my park workout three to four times a week. Just because funds are tight does not mean you cannot get out there and move. I am running in the direction of my goals, and it is all free.

13645262_1186978708014260_6086342984746418617_nI am also coming up with economical ways to eat clean and healthy on a budget. I like eating breakfast bars with my coffee, so I decided to take my clean eating chocolate chip recipe and make breakfast bars.

Here is the recipe

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

3 bananas mashed with a fork

1/4 cup applesauce

1 cup raisins

4 tablespoons flaxseeds

2 cup oats or oat flour

1 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

half cup  dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk

In a large bowl combine mashed bananas, apple sauce and oats. Mix well. Add all remaining ingredients and spread in a small brownie pan or bake in muffin tins. I use an olive oil spray to keep them from sticking. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

These are fantastic and so much economical than store bought bars. Delicious with coffee or crumbled in Greek yogurt

 

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FRUGAL IS NOT AN F WORD

Good day, it is a good day. Today is day two of my countdown and challenge and leads me to my winter solstice 50th Birthday. Lately I have been contacted and asked to be an ambassador for some really cool yoga and fitness clothing lines. I fell in love with one of them, but I let them know I do not feel I am in a place yet to represent their line. I would like to get into the nitty-gritty, and get to work first. I plan to revisit the invitation in three to four months when I am well into this challenge of mine. More to come on this subject and opportunity when we are closer to the Autumn Equinox. In the meantime, work, work, work.

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Yesterday was the summer solstice, six months until my challenge ends on my 50th birthday, and a brand new beginning for a lot of us. Days are longer and nights are shorter. We are a long way off until the winter solstice which leaves us with plenty of time to achieve our personal goals. Are you with me? Do you believe?

Are you chasing your goals while being in a financial crisis? It can be devastating. We have lived in many of the most expensive cities in the USA and we have been struggling. I know what it can do to your self-esteem. Don’t get me wrong, I am the first person to say material gains in life do not define a person; it is their kindness, soul and love that does that. You cannot take it with you, and that is true. I have always said all I need is a pen, notebook, trees and the ocean and to be surrounded by animals and loved ones.

To survive in this modern world today is so different in comparison to what it was for our parents and grandparents. Gone are the simple days in life.

In the movie Meet Me in St Louis they are spending the dog days of summer making homemade ketchup. Such simple times are long gone. I have always wondered what it would be like to live in such a simple era. It seems simple, but they did not have our modern-day resources and conveniences. Do you really want to spend all day making ketchup?  It would be clean eating and organic but really? 

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Back to reality. Money seems to define a person today, which is truly tragic. Getting fit, dieting, losing weight all seem to come with a hefty price tag. if you cannot fund your fitness you are destined to be unfit and overweight?  Everything seems to have a cost attached to it. I do not agree with this and I am going to achieve my goals despite our situation. 

I am here not only traipse through my own weight loss and fitness journey, to sponsor charities;  but I will also be sharing my wisdom, experiences, and resources as I get to my goals the frugal way. I have no other choice. At the end of the day if you let the stress and struggles consume you and you let your health go, you will have far more problems to deal with than finances. So, let’s do this.

This Gaiam mat was found at Marshalls for only ten bucks, the 8 lb weights at KMart. That’s the only equipment you need.

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Lace up your running, walking, or crawling shoes. Whatever you choose, get a pair and just move it. That’s the beginning secret, just to start moving. These Asics were only 38 bucks and good running shoes cost well over a hundred. I suggest you visit a running store and get fitted, if you can afford to purchase your first pair there go for it. Break them in, feel them as you move.

After a few months you will learn the mechanics of your own feet and you will be able to compare the running shoes from the running store to those found at discount stores. That is what I did and these discount running shoes are actually the same as the previous pair I bought at the running store, for a fraction of the price.

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My workouts are free thanks to Melissa Bender Fitness. She has countless videos, information and resources. She is my trainer of choice and I am learning a lot.

http://www.benderfitness.com/

Today is International Yoga Day and I love the being outside and I cannot afford a regular yoga class. Give yourself time in nature, grab a mat and do some outdoor yoga. You mind, body, and spirit will thank you. Yoga can be free, there are countless yoga videos online. Sun Salutations is the best way to begin.

Here is a link I love. http://www.benderfitness.com/category/yoga

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A more involved post will include what I am eating to get there, and all the resources I am finding to eat on the cheap all while eating clean and healthy. Yesterday was day one, and I did wonderful. I swapped my protein Bars for Melissa Bender Fitness energy balls. My protein bars were costing me 58 bucks a month, these are a fraction of the cost. The recipe is below the photo. Enjoy them with your morning coffee or before a run.

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I swapped agave for honey, and did not use chocolate chips. I used unsalted natural peanut butter and raisins as the dried fruit. 

A little tip, put the agave in first, and pour the peanut butter in the same measuring cup and it will be smooth and not sticky and pour right into the bowl. Make sure you chill well, they will form better. Save some of the batter and crumble with apples and blueberries, great with Greek yogurt. I may try to bake it and make it a clean eating blueberry crumble.

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Here is her recipe.

Ingredients (makes 20 balls):
  • 1 Cup Dry Old Fashioned Oatmeal
  • 1 Cup Dried Cranberries or other dried fruit
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips ( I actually used about 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, a tablespoon of sesame seeds, and the rest trail mix for this batch)
  • 1/2 cup ground flax seed
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I combined all of the dry ingredients, then added the peanut butter and stirred. Add the
honey, continue stirring. Add the vanilla and stir until all of the ingredients are coated. 
 
Chill for 20-30 Minutes, roll into balls, and serve or store in an air tight container. 
Thanks Melissa Bender Fitness
Happy Tuesday,
 
Namaste’
 
Rose