Memory Lane...1 year Anniversary of Sara B Consulting Blog

Can you believe it!?! It's been one whole year since I created this blog. My hopes were that at least my family would look at it and appreciate the recipes, nutrition bites, and sunshine I share. I had no idea what other impact it would have. Today I have 38 official followers with many more people emailing and facebooking me on a daily basis with questions/comments about recipes and health. LOVE IT!
Some tell me how they are inspired by the blog.... it is actually them who inspire me.
I appreciate all who have tried to implement health into their lives and even more into their families'.

Today we are going to take a trip down memory lane and look at some of my favorite moments and recipes this year.

my very first blog


HyVee Triathlon 2009


Chicken Veggie Enchiladas


the best muffins in the world! Pumpkin Cranberry Whole Wheat Goodness


Wedding Bells & Sushi


Delicious Dinner, Dirty Husband: Cranberry and Sage Stuffed Chicken


Honeymooning in Italy , our motto:
"Wander till you see something cool to look at or good to eat!"


Vegetable Hash


Kelli's Favorite: Soy and Honey Glazed Salmon aka SO GOOD


Ugly Sweater Christmas Party


Where Does Your Food Come From?

Phew....so many good times and yummy recipes! I will continue down memory lane after a water break.

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

DON'T FORGET TO WATCH KCCI CHANNEL 8 NEWS WEDNESDAY AT 5!!! I'll be on talking about my Sara B Consulting Principles!

Pumpkin Day!

It's literally snowing leaves at our house! Check out the skylights in our kitchen...plastered with big, colorful, wet leaves.

So because we live in and amongst trees, we don't have any neighbors to enjoy my festive front porch display...so I thought I would post in on here :)

the giant gourd and little gourds are compliments of my Uncle Jim! I had a baby pumpkin but the chipmunks took off with it!

look at all those leaves!

Today I carved the big pumpkin on our porch and roasted it's seeds.

Roasted pumpkin seeds are sooo yummy and nutritious. The health benefits are plentiful due to their content of vitamins and minerals including magnesium and zinc.

I enjoy the seeds as a satisfying snack throughout the day or a nice accent to a salad.

oh and did I mention they are a breeze to make!?

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

After removing seeds from pumpkin, place in bowl filled with water. Remove all slimy pumpkin guts.

Spray pan and seeds with olive oil or cooking spray. sprinkle with sea salt. bake at 325F for 25 minutes, stirring every 10. Enjoy!

I also made the oh-so-good mix of peanuts and candy corn for J to take hunting this weekend

and of course another batch of the panel approved Pumpkin Cran Muffins...so good!

to come...veggie hash and spaghetti squash

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Panel approved Pumpkin-CranRaisin whole wheat muffin

phew...that was a name. I had no other choice....for this tasty muffin I combined the best of two recipes and came out with a rock star. After seeking approval from my taste tester panel (Jeremy and his friend Todd) I decided they were blog worthy...Jeremy thinks selling worthy :)
Shoot...I just missed the fair...probably would have received a blue ribbon :)


Here it is:
Pumpkin-CranRaisin Muffins

Makes 16, although I made 6 jumbo muffins
1/3 c canola oil or unsweetened applesauce
1/2c -3/4 c brown sugar, packed (for a "clean" version: agave nectar or honey, for a lower cal verion: splenda brown sugar)
1/4 c fat-free milk
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can pure pumpkin
1/2 tsp Watkins vanilla (mmmm its the best)
2 c whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 c dried cranberries
1/4 c raisins
chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Directions: preheat oven to 375F. Coat a 12 cup muffin tin with oil or paper liners. In large bowl, combine the oil (applesauce), brown sugar (honey), milk. Add eggs, mixing well after each; stir in the pumpkin, and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix until just combined. gently fold in dried cranberries and raisins, if desired walnuts or pecans. Spoon batter into muffin tin. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon. Bake until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition info (this is a rough estimate as I make changes): 180 calories, 3 g protein (7 g if you add whey), 27 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 6 g fat, .05 sat fat, 180 mg sodium. Remember this is a rough estimate...varies on size and content.

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