One week in one day cooking

Have you ever watched Rachel Ray’s new show? It is called “Week in a day” because it teaches you how to prepare your meals for all week in just one day. Great idea, right!? This is a wonderful way to avoid us arriving so hungry at home and attacking cookies, bars, crackers, sandwiches, pasta and frozen food (anything to include in this list?) because we have nothing better and healthier to eat. By the way, I haven’t seen the show yet, but I am planning to do it. It is on Saturdays, at 3pm, at Cooking Channel - http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/rachael-rays-week-in-a-day/index.html. Because I can not wait until the weekend, I will make my own one day cooking experience today. For the next probably 3 hours or more, I will be in my kitchen, listening to my Zumba songs (Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Samba), preparing Baked Tofu, Turkey Burgers, Crab and Tuna Salad, Zucchini and Squash soups. By the way, I will not answer the phone. And in the end of my "cooking marathon", I will let you know how it worked out. Wish me luck!

My yummy, cheap and canned Salmon

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish, especially fatty fish such as Salmon, at least twice a week to ensure you get plenty of heart-healthy Omega 3. So, today I want talk about this taste fish, which is my favorite one. But first, have you ever asked yourself where Salmon you buy at grocery store come from? I wish we could all answer we get a catch from this morning from a local market, but it doesn’t work like that, right?! Most of them are farm-raised in different parts of USA and so many other countries like Canada, Thailand, China, which compromises their freshness, taste and how health they are. So, if you can afford, by wild Salmon. If not, a good and cheap option is the canned one, which is normally a wild catch.

I would like to share a yummy adapted recipe with canned Salmon from the cooking book “So Easy”, by Ellie Krieger.

Pasta salad with salmon, peas and herbs

2/3 cup plain Greek-style non fat yogurt

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp of canola mayo

2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

1 Tbsp of minced fresh dill Brag’s or “fake salt” and ground black pepper

1 can wild red salmon, drained

1 10 oz package frozen peas defrosted or canned peas

½ pound of whole wheat pasta (I like penne)

2 or more scallions (white and green parts), minced

8 cups of chopped red-leaf lettuce or mixed organic greens

How to prepare it: Combine the yogurt, lime juice, mayo, lime zest, dill, Brag’s and pepper. Whisk to incorporate. Add the canned salmon, peas, pasta (cooked and cooled), and scallions. Serve with lots of greens = )

Pea’s Guacamole? What happened to avocados?

If you love Guacamole like I do, it must be hard to eat just a little bit of it and stop, right!? Since I started watching my calories and portions and eating in a much healthier way, I have been avoiding it. But last week, after watching an episode of “Hungry Girl” show - http://www.hungry-girl.com/ - , I want to share how to eat this Mexican healthy and cheap dish in a more “guilty free” way. Instead of 2 avocados, use just one and substitute another for a cup of canned peas. Yes, peas, with no salt added, please. You just need to blend it or use a food processor to make a green paste. The other ingredients – onion, tomatoes, lime, black pepper, cumin, cilantro or parsley - remain the same, except for the salt. If you can, use one tablespoon of Brag’s - http://bragg.com/products/bragg-liquid-aminos-soy-alternative.html -. Also add some of fat free Greek yogurt. Helps to make more volume and adds some protein to it, which is always good. Promise, you will not notice the difference in taste. I prepared this Guacamole to my husband without telling him about the “secret ingredients”. He is a regular guy, not a “health freak” or in a diet = ) and he loved it. Give it a try on top of mixed greens instead of “a hundred” chips.

My trick green beans = )

I am in love with veggies, but I green beans are on the top of my favorites list. I know they don’t look very attractive for most of people, unless in casseroles, but they are so healthy and cheap, you should give them a try. Actually you will pay around just $1.29 per 1 pound in most grocery stores. Greens beans have a lot of fiber and, making a big history short they have the "power" to trick your stomach and brain and make you feel full for longer than eating something else like baked potatos. In my house we have it at least once a week. It makes a great side dish with good nutrients and low calories. How do I cook it? Cutting the ends off and then steaming it. If you are in a hurry, cook it in the microwave. I use the “Zip Loc Steam Microwave Cooking” -http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/ZipSteamMicrowaveCookingBags.aspx?SizeName=Medium- and put a tablespoon of water and tablespoon of Brag (kind of soy sauce you can find in healthy stores like Fresh Market and Whole Foods)in it. Four minutes and it is ready to eat!!! If you can’t eat green beans simple like that, try one of the nice recipes available on the internet. Here is an example: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000521709. Skip butter, use olive oil spray and go for it! = )

Massage for $15?

If you are like me, a person who loves to have a good massage without paying $60 to $150 for one, I have a tip for you. Try a Massage School. If you give them a try, one of their students will do the service. But who cares? I went to Cortiva Institute – www.cortiva.com- yesterday and honestly I had a great experience. The best part was I paid just $15 for one hour massage because of a special promotion running on Mondays. Regular price is $30, though. So, unless you have serious problems, pain or injuries in any part of your body, getting a relaxation massage in school is a wonderful way to help your pocket and the students to practice.

Cortiva
4045 Park Boulevard
Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Phone: (727) 865-4940

My lettuce grows in Carrolwood, Florida, USA. What about yours?

Have you ever asked yourself where does the produce we eat come from? A lot of them arrive in USA after traveling miles away from countries like Ecuador, Chile, Mexico and Costa Rica. But wouldn’t be easier, healthier and more eco-friendly to buy our broccoli and lettuce grown right next door, with a great taste and without agrotoxics? If your answer is yes and you live in Tampa Bay area, I want to tell you about the “Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm” - http://urbanoasisfarm.com/farm.html. This place is located in Carrollwood, North Tampa, and it is where me and a bunch of “locally grown veggie fans” go once a week to get their produce.

Today, for example, I got lettuce, oregano, green onions and parsley. Everything tastes and smells so fresh over there!

If you are curious, stop by Friday or Saturday, days that it is open to public. You certain will be interested in something. They also have farm tours every first Saturday of each month at 1pm, $5 per person.

Cheers for a healthy way to eat = )

Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm
Address: 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33624
Phone number: (813)-293-3276

Rent instead of buying it

With my wedding around the corner I have started getting a little annoying because “wedding stuff” is all I want to talk about. Sorry my friends, but I will talk about this subject in my blog too, but just until January, and just in some of my posts. I hope you don’t mind because it will help your pocket whenever you are invited to a wedding. Today the saving tip is for female guests. Before going to the mall, Macy’s, Nordstrom, David’s Bridal, and spent hundreds of dollars, think if the price worth the number of times you will wear it. If it will happen just once, rent it. Believe me, there are big chances of paying less renting a wonderful dress than buying a new one. Take a look in the following website: http://www.renttherunway.com/. It is a great option if you want pay a few dollars for a dress but look like a million dollars girl ; )