Recipe: Brussels Sprout-Parsnip Casserole

Brussels Sprout-Parsnip Casserole

This dish combines my two favorite fall vegetables in one dish. If you are turning up your nose at Brussels Sprouts think again, these are not the boiled sprouts of your childhood. This recipe is bound to covert you to a Brussels Sprouts lover.

Serves 4-6 as a side

Ingredients

For the Parsnips

  • 5 medium (4-5 cups) parsnips, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoon Earth Balance
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 3/4 cup almond milk

Place the parsnips, butter, salt and almond milk in a 4 Quart Stockpot at medium heat. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook over medium low heat for 15-20 minutes, until parsnips are tender. Mash and place in the bottom of medium casserole dish.

For the Brussels Sprouts

  • 4 cups Brussels Sprouts, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Place oil and garlic in a cold Sauté Pan. Turn on the heat to medium-high and cook until fragrant, about one minute. Stir in the Brussels Sprouts, reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes, until Brussels Sprouts are lightly browned. Evenly pour over the parsnips.

Topping

  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  •  2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Toss panko, nutritional yeast and olive oil together. Sprinkle over top of the Brussels Sprouts.

Preheat oven to 350F. Bake for 20 minutes until lightly browned.

Goal #6 is to increase the intensity of my workouts

Goal #6 is one that I am finding to be the most challenging.

When I was making my plans for postpartum fitness (back before I actually had a baby) I had these grand plans of run/walking the half marathon that I had signed up for (before I knew I was pregnant).  I thought that around 4-6 weeks I would doing low intensity workouts and even start run/walking.  By eight weeks I would be back to consistent running and attending a weekly postpartum yoga class and of course getting out for daily 2-3 mile walks with Edith.  Here we are at almost 20 weeks postpartum and I have been on five runs and the only yoga classes I have attended are baby yoga and I don’t think taking three deep breaths and sounding ‘om’ once counts as yoga practice.

The only workout I was consistently doing were walks with Edith which occur 4-6 times per week and are usually 1-1.5 miles; so not exactly what I had hoped but it’s something. Then about four weeks ago I started Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp and although I feel like it has helped me to get back into a better routine I know that I haven’t been doing the workouts to the fullest.  I know I have a million excuses but it is really challenging to fit workouts in with a demanding 4.5 month old and a husband who works long hours.  At this point I am able to 10-20 minutes at a time and some days that’s all I can fit in.

Goal #6 is going to take some time and dedication to accomplish.  It is also going to involve working out a better plan with my husband so that both of us have adequate time to workout 4-6 times per week.  Right now my fitness intensity is around a 2 and I’d really like it to be at more of a 6 while I am still breastfeeding.

Speaking of breastfeeding that is also a factor that is making fitness a challenge.  I have been having issues with my supply (that’s for another post over on Naturally Family) and so I have to be mindful of the intensity of my workouts as well as making sure I am eating adequate calories and staying hydrated.  As you can see this goal faces a number of obstacles, however these are all obstacles that I know I can work through to get myself to the fitness level that I once was, and who knows maybe even increase that level.

So now is the time when I talk about the action steps that I am going to take to actually accomplish Goal #6

  • Make time. I know that I could make more time to workout.  This means I need to sit down and compare schedules with Neil so that we both have time carved out for our own fitness activities.  I know that I could do earlier morning workouts or even late night but I don’t.  It’s so easy to sink into the couch after putting E to bed, especially after a particularly long day and/or night. On the other hand if I do my workout instead of sinking in I know that I will be able to help myself to have more energy to make it through those tough days, so as much as I dread an early or late workout it’s either that or some mediocre workout that I try to fit in between playing, feeding, and changing diapers.
  • Try out 24 Hour Fitness. Down the road from us is a 24 Hour Fitness gym and often you can get free trial memberships.  I think it’s time for me to try it out and see if I can make it work because getting out of the house, away from the baby, the computer and household chores may be just what I need to get back to my fit self. Why haven’t I done it yet? Well honestly it kind of frightens me.  It’s in a strip mall, I would have to go early in the morning or late at night and who knows who is at the gym at that time and I really hate going to the gym alone but I have no one to go with me (I know suck it up and do it).
  • TBD. More steps to be determined as I go along.

Do you struggle with balancing life and workouts? Do you have any suggestions?

Happy Thanksliving!

Happy Thanksliving to everyone!

Today I am thankful for my wonderful family most of all my amazing, hardworking, supportive and caring husband and my wonderful little bundle of joy, Edith.

Today we are spending the morning/afternoon with family and then heading home to have a wonderful vegan feast with two (omnivore) friends. Hope you enjoy your day!

Giving Back This Holiday Season

Every December Neil and I take a trip to the mall and choose a child from the giving tree to buy a gift.  The card has the gender, age and an item the child wants/needs.  This is a tradition that I started with my mom when I was a child and Neil and I have continued the tradition since we started dating.  Now that we have Edith this is a tradition that we plan to continue and have her participate in as well.

In a few weeks Neil, Edith and I will head to the mall, choose a child from the tree and shop for a gift.  The one thing that will be different this year however is that you can help determine how much we will spend on the gift. All you have to do is take the survey below. For every person who completes the feedback survey we will put $1 towards the gift.

So in exchange for two minutes (or less) of your time your survey response can count towards a $1 donation for a child in need this holiday season.

I know I have had ad number of surveys on the blog over the years but with all these changes that have occurred in the last few months I feel like I need to do another on.  I wasn’t sure what role the blog would play in my life once Edith arrived and how or even if I would want to keep up with it, but now here we are four and half months later and I realize I love having this blog because it is an outlet for me.  However, I have found that I have lost a little bit of direction and what I should be posting here versus on Naturally Family. So now this why I am calling out to you to help give me a little bit of direction as to what you want to read.

Goal #5 eat less gluten.

Goal #5 eat less gluten.

I have done elimination diets a number of times in the past and I have come to the conclusion that a small amount of gluten doesn’t bother me however large amounts cause me to fell bloated, have a hard time losing weight and am often exhausted.  As you can see from that list those are all things I DON’T want.  That being said it’s time to make a change and reduce my gluten intake.

What I will be doing: Eating more gluten-free foods

  • Potatoes
  • Whole Grains (buckwheat, gluten-free oats, corn, rice, quinoa, amaranth, teff or millet)
  • Beans
  • Nuts and nut butters
  • Fresh fruit
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Herbs and spices

I will be replacing pasta with a gluten-free version, enjoying brown rice wraps instead of bread and enjoying more whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

What I won’t be doing:

  • Giving up gluten all together, especially things like Neil and I’s monthly homemade flatbreads and beer.

Do you have a gluten intolerance?

Have you eliminated or reduced your gluten intake? How has your mind and body changed?