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!

Thai Coconut Shrimp Pasta

I decided to go for a taste of Thai the other night with two ingredients I love:
peanut butter & bean sprouts............
I mean Pasta :)

Thai Coconut Shrimp
Ingredients:

8 oz dry brown rice noodles (I could not find these at HyVee but I did find Soba Buckwheat noodles that looked fun...all else fails use whole wheat pasta)

2 cups broccoli
2/3 c light coconut milk (I could not find light, so I used regular and watered it down a bit by
adding H20, you could also use skim milk)

1 T tomato paste
3T natural peanut butter

1 tsp ginger, ground
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (be generous as these give a nice kick)
dash or two of cayenne pepper (J likes it hott)
juice of 1/2 lime
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 c bean sprouts

24 medium cooked shrimp, peeled

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to directions. Once cooked place in strainer and rinse with hot water (prevents noodles from sticking together).

Fluff noodles with a fork and set aside. In a bowl add, coconut milk, tomato paste, peanut butter, spices, and lime juice. Use a fork or whisk to combine well. Simmer coconut mixture, bell pepper and bean sprouts in non stick pan over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Stir often. Add shrimp, broccoli, and noodles.

Heat entire mixture till it is HOT. Serve and enjoy.

NEWS:
Watch KCCI channel 8 news Wednesday the 9th at 5pm...you might see a familiar face :) I will be introducing Sara B Consulting to DSM! Very excited about the opportunity.
J now wears a new hat to go along with husband, CFO, and taste tester.............Agent.

Happy Anniversary to my parents Lee and Kay! Yesterday they celebrated 38 years of bliss! Love you!

oh, and good luck to Jeremy, Marie (sister-in-law), Kyndi (friend) and everyone else running Dam to Dam tomorrow.

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

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Bread
recipe from my good pal Abby and can be viewed on her blog at:
http://abbyashton.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/my-favorite-zucchini-bread/

Ingredients:
2 (up to 2 .5) cups zucchini, grated, juices NOT removed (1 large zucchini or 2 small)

1 cup oil (Abby recommends using 1/2 to 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil and for the remaining 1/2 to 1/4 cup use a light canola oil)
3 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons Watkins vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (for a sweeter bread, use 1 3/4 cups) sugar or sugar substitute, like organic evaporated cane juice, Stevia, OR you could try honey?!?
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour if you can find OR regular whole wheat flour (Sift flour together with the baking powder/soda/salt/spices for a lighter texture.)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:
Combine zucchini, oil, eggs and vanilla. Stir in sugar. Stir in flour with baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg until combined. This is easier when done in batches. If the batter looks thick, don’t panic! Place batter into two loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray, and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Enjoy!

YUM TUM! Does it get better than a baked good and a veggie all in one!?!

Thanks Abby!

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

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie, Memorial Day Fun, Big Ol' Salad

Smoothies are a pretty no fail & delicious thing to make. I crave them all the time during the summer. Usually its while I'm running on a HOT day and can't wait to get home to blend one up.

They are a great way to use up any over ripe fruit.

Add any of the following combinations: milk (soy, almond, diary), ice, yogurt (homemade, Greek, plain), whey protein (vanilla, chocolate), flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, oats, etc, etc.

Blend away, check the taste and consistency, and Viola!

In this Strawberry-Banana Smoothie I added:

homemade yogurt (flavored with honey and vanilla), splash of skim milk, banana, strawberries and ground flaxseed

Memorial Day Fun

Man, were we blessed with a beautiful Memorial Day weekend or what?!?
J and I took full advantage of the sun...

We took the opportunity to go on our first open water swim of the season. Actually, it was J's second...his first resulted in swimmer's itch and it looked like he had chicken pocks :)

We then set up our own mini triathlon to prepare for the upcoming tri season!

One of the benefits of LONG bike rides through the country is you get to see Iowa's peaceful and beautiful countryside. J came upon this field of wild flowers.

After about 6 high school graduation parties (and lots of cake) on Saturday he drove me out to it for a good photo opt.

Who says Iowa isn't gorgeous!?!?!?!

Big Ol' Salad

with all this biking, swimming, and running....we're hungry!

Salad Fixins: Romaine lettuce, baby spinach, avocado, bean sprouts, apple slices, cottage cheese, steamed broccoli, shredded chicken breast, and Penzeys Italian Salad dressing.

(J's trying to figure out what in the world I am feeding him)

On our last day of fun...Ryan and Robin invited us over to their pool for wine spritzers and relaxation! Thanks again!

Hope everyone had a memorable Memorial Day!

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Happy Memorial Day - How to Cut a Watermelon

Memorial Day = food and fun.
It seems this weekend is the official kick off to summer activities....boating, pool, fishing and summer foods....burgers, corn, ice cream :)

I thought I would share one of my favs when it comes to summer cuisine...
WATERMELON
You can't deny it, watermelon just hits the spot on those HOT, 100% humidity days.

It also hits the spot after a good long workout...in fact, I'm munching on and rehydrating myself with it now! Did you know watermelon is about 92% water!
health benefits:

Contains more lycopene than any other fresh fruit of veggie.

Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health, can help prevent night-blindness, and boosts immunity by enhancing the infection-fighting actions of white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Vitamin B6 found in watermelon is used by the body to manufacture brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which preliminary research shows may help the body cope with anxiety and panic.

Vitamin C in watermelon can help to bolster the immune system's defenses against infections and viruses and can protect a body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and conditions such as cataracts. http://www.watermelon.org/health.asp

How to select a good watermelon:
Look it over. Is it firm and symmetrical? Is it free from bruises, cuts or dents?
Lift it up. The watermelon should be heavy for it's size.
Turn it over. The underside of the watermelon should have a creamy yellow spot from where it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
http://www.watermelon.org/health_lycopene.asp

How to cut a watermelon: (I learned this technique after watching a vendor at the NCAA National track meet in DSM) very slick
1. slice the watermelon into two halves.

2. trim the bottom off of both halves.

3. slice down the side of the watermelon. just enough to trim the rind off and not waste a lot of the heavenly nectar.

4. slice through the watermelon so you have about 1/2 inch to 1 inch thick slices.

5. repeat going the other direction and you get these fries-like slices. J and I find it fun eating the watermelon like this...actually, anything you have eat with you fingers is fun.
6. if you would like more cube-like slices, simply take your knife horizontally through the middle of the watermelon. YUM!

You don't see these varieties everyday - square and watermelon. Man, I though it was a big deal when they came out with seedless!

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

First Grill Out of the Season!

Yesterday was the perfect day for J and I's first grill out of the season!
One the menu: seasoned pork chops and sweet potato fries

first, though we had to dust off the grill by burning out the wasp nest that had formed inside...how do you like your wasp? medium? charred?
and clearing out the birds nest underneath (don't worry, there were no birdies in it)

I seasoned the pork chops with Chicago Steak seasoning from Penzeys Spices
(see blog labels: spices)

I drizzled olive oil and Cookies seasoning on the sweet potato slices

Lightly spray pan and place sweet potatoes on the grill first as they take a little longer to cook than the chops

J's Kitchen

mmmmm.....a big side salad with white Northern beans and craisins. dressing: lemon olive oil, red wine vinegar and a sprinkle of Stevia.

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/