Holiday Celebrations and Cuisine

For Christmas Eve I prepared this salad and dressing. It brought cheer to everyone's taste buds.
Spinach and Red Pear Salad
with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Salad:
Organic baby spinach
1/4 sliced red onion
sprinkle 0f blueberries (optional)
1 red pear, sliced into pieces
toasted walnuts
blue cheese
Dressing:
1/2 C pomegranate juice
3 T sugar, could try honey
3 T balsamic vinegar
1 T canola oil
1 tsp grated orange rind
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or jar and whisk/shake together until blended.
calories for 3 T serving of dressing: 96grams

Quinoa, Couscous and Cranberries (recipe another day)

Mom made these feta, tomato, and cucumber kabobs for NYE. So light and delish!

Just soak the tomatoes and cucumber in a little olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette and viola...a super easy appetizer!

Dad splurged and surprised Mom with an edible arrangement....I loved the chocolate covered granny smith apples!

Christmas at the Schwertfeger's

the kids sharing the Christmas story before presents, so we can all remember what it is truly about

Anna sporting her Hawkeye jersey, complete with shoulder pads
Christmas at the Boisen's

Emmerson, Peyton, and their cousin Isla (far left)

Peyton passing out the presents

Emmerson scored on the ISU gear!

and Ironman/triathlon swag!

Peyton shows off her gifts....

and other people's gifts

Some attire from myself and Baby S.

Two things that I hold dear to my heart....veggies and the Cyclones!

NYE at the Schwertfeger's

with the Boisens and the Browns

fun games, good food, great company

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

'Tis the Season part 2

It's Christmas week!

To celebrate, J and I have treated ourselves to little indulgences such as dinner at Cafe Dodici in Washington, IA.

and cross country skiing out at Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City

don't worry, I was uber cautious not to fall

and of course, another batch of Christmas cheer

Uncle Bob's Cookies

recipe from my Grandma's kitchen in 1955

Ingredients & Instructions:

1 C white sugar

1 C brown sugar

1 C butter

Beat well.

Add in

2 eggs

1 t Watkins vanilla

2 1/2 C flour - I with 1/2 white whole wheat flour

2 t baking powder
2 t baking soda

1 t salt
Mix well.

Add in

2 C oatmeal

2 C coconut

chocolate chips, M&M's, butterscotch chips -whatever gets your jingle on.

Bake at 350F for 12-15 minutes.
So so good!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

'Tis the Season...

For cookies!
So this isn't exactly a "healthy" recipe post, but it is a yummy one!
Sunday I got into the baking mode and set out to share some holiday spirit by whipping up J and I's favorite Christmas cookies.
A key to keeping your health in check....sharing with others!

Aunt Pam's Gingersnap Cookies
Ingredients:
2 C flour - I used about 1/2 white whole wheat flour
1 T ground ginger
fresh grated ginger is the secret ingredient, I added about 1 tsp - may add more next time for a stronger flavor
2 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c molasses
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
sugar for bowl
Instructions:
Measure flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon, and salt into sifter. Cream butter until soft and gradually add sugar. Beat in egg and molasses. Sift dry ingredients over creamed mixture, blend well. Form mixture unto balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on uncreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake at 350F 12-15 minutes or until they are slightly browned, rounded, and cracked on top. Cool thoroughly before storing.

Benefits of ginger:
Ginger aids in relieving nausea...these would have been great about 5 months ago when I was going through first trimester queasiness.
Ginger also has an anti-inflammatory effect and aids in muscle recovery......your excuse for having a cookie post workout.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 3/4 c. flour - I used about 1/2 white whole wheat flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. peanut butter - I tend to use slightly more (maybe 1/4c) to make moister cookies
1 egg
2 tbsp. skim milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions:
Combine ingredients. Roll into balls, roll balls in sugar. Bake on cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes. Top with chocolate kiss immediately upon removal from oven. Place in hot oven for 2 more minutes (don't forget about them!!!) This helps glue the kiss to the cookie.

What's your favorite holiday cookie?

Until next time....
spread some JOY
and look good, feel good, do good...
http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

4 Bean Salad and Christmas Celebrations

4 Bean Salad
Ingredients:
3 T apple cider vinegar
3 T rice vinegar
1 T honey or Stevia sugar
1 T spicy Dijon or honey Dijon mustard (or a little of both as I did)
1 T canola oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
ground pepper
1/3 c diced red onion
15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can red kidney beans
10oz frozen bag edamame shelled, cooked
1 lb green beans, cooked and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
2 T chopped parsley
Instructions:
In small bowl mix/whisk dressing together. In large bowl mix beans and veggies together. Mix two bowls together, toss in parsley and let chill for at least an hour before serving so flavors can blend. A festive and delicious dish!

Other festive dishes:

cherry tomatoes and mini cucumbers tossed in a vinaigrette

roasted veggies with spiced olive oil
Christmas Eve with the Boisen's

very cool gift from my sister...a finish line door mat for after my runs, or bikes, or swims :)

Mike got a peculiar gift from J and I :) We purchased this in Italy....it's the David!

Peyton was all over unwrapping gifts

the dinner table...on the menu: clam chowder, tenderloin steaks, roasted veggies, 4 bean salad, tomatoes/cucumber salad, cranberries/ pear salad.... and of course dessert

some of the family...Drew(cousin), Jeremy, Dad, Bryan (brother), Marie (sister-in-law), Mike (brother-in-law)
enjoying some wine and apps....pumpkin, olive dip! (don't worry I will get the recipe posted)

A mean game of dominoes!

J and I Christmas Eve

Jeremy at our house opening a big gift! (yes we keep out house pretty cold...notice the stocking cap and fleece jacket)

Hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday! Now it's on to NYE and NY's resolutions!
I will have a New Year's special posted soon so be on the lookout.

Until next time...
look, good, feel good, do good
www.sarabconsulting.com

Spreading a Little Christmas Cheer!

My version of passing out Christmas cookies :) Don't get me wrong...I still love getting a warm batch of homemade cookies, but someone has to spread some healthified love.
dried apples with cinnamon, dark chocolate M&M's, roasted walnuts, and raisins

Hope everyone has a Very MERRY CHRSITMAS!

Until next time...
look good, feel good, do good
www.sarabconsulting.com

More Ugly Sweater Pics!

More Ugly Sweater Pics!

1st Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

J and I hosted our 1st Annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party!
Here are a few pics....more to come!

the end of the night....playing catch phrase


group shot! look at that ugliness

Jess, Rachel, Kelli (sister) and I

Angie & Andy

Greg & Darcy

Ugly sweater cheese

our bartender Geoff (thanks for all the yummy martinis!)
notice the pack of lights under the sweater...clever

hot cocoa bar...colored marshmallows, peppermint schnapps, candy canes, choc. stirring sticks


the bar...we served chocolate, apple, and pomegranate martinis

Jeremy and I dressed to impress

Our front door decor

Mike (brother-in-law) being good

Rachel, Kelli, and I


more pics to come!