Beef Marinara...Without the Beef!

Who's got the beef?! No one? What? We don't need it! This recipe has a good hearty flavor that will not make you miss the beef. Animal products and several other things bother my stomach. Having IBS, esophagitis, and many other things going on with my digestive system can make it difficult for me to eat. Here is a good recipe for anyone who wants a more mild tummy time while enjoying good food!

Ingredients:

• 1 serving of gardein brand of beefless strips
• 1 cube of frozen pumpkin puree (Put a can of pumpkin in an ice-cube tray...you can put frozen pumpkin in many things!)
• 1/2 of cup of your favorite Newman's tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup of frozen stir fry veggies
• 1/2 cup of green beans
• pepper to taste
• Chili powder to taste
• 1 tsp of liquid smoke (You can find inexpensive bottles near the barbecue sauce in your grocery store.)

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in to a sauce pan and cook over medium to medium-low heat.

2. Place the lid on and stir occasionally

3. Cook for about 10 minutes or until everything is thoroughly warmed through

4. Enjoy!

Calories:

One batch = about 298 calories

Gardein beefless strips = about 180 calories

Sauce = about 70 calories per 1/2 cup

Frozen veggies = about 15 calories per 1/2 cup

Green beans = about 20 calories per 1/2 cup

Pumpkin Banana Smoothie!

This recipe is simple and it allows you to make something healthy and quick to take on the go. You can also make more ahead of time and have it for a few days.

Ingredients:

• 4 pumpkin cubes (frozen in an ice tray)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup of almond milk (add more milk, or some water, if you need more liquid)
• 1 tsp of Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp of nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Open up a can of pureed pumpkin and fill an ice cube tray with it. (Don't use until completely frozen.)

2. Slice up a banana, put in a plastic baggie, seal and freeze.

3. Take 4 cubes of frozen pumpkin, one frozen banana, spices, and one cup of almond milk in to your magic bullet or other blender.

4. Blend until completely combined

5. Pour in to your re-usable to-go cup and enjoy!

Calories:

180 calories per batch

• 4 cubes of pumpkin = about 50 calories
• 1 banana = about 100 calories
• 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk = about 30 calories

Pizza Sauce

This pizza sauce recipe is so easy that it takes almost no time at all...and so good!

Ingredients:

- 1 tomato, seeded and cut in to chunks. (Get all of the excess liquid inside of the tomato out. Your sauce will be too watery if you leave it in.)

- 1/8 cup Newman's Own Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic sauce.

- Chili powder to taste.

- Oregano (dried or fresh; dash)

- Parsley flakes (dried or fresh; dash)

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in NutriBullet, or other blender, until desired consistency. Blend a little at a time since you don't want a watery sauce.

Done! Put it fresh on your pizza crust. There is no need to cook it before you put it on. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Calories for this whole sauce is only about 40. :)

Simple Pizza Crust

This pizza crust is so simple and so good. It's totally worth making your own and easier than you would ever think! There are only 6 ingredients!

Ingredients:

- 1 packet of dry active yeast

- 1 cup warm water

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 tbs olive oil

- 2 cups whole wheat flour

- 1 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combing yeast, warm water, sugar and olive oil. Stir together and let sit until it gets foamy. 

(5-10 minutes)

2. Mix in flour and salt until incorporated. 

(Add up to 1 cup of flour 1/4 at a time to get the right consistency.  Dough should be smooth and sticky.)

3. Shape dough in to ball and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 - 1.5 hrs. It can be less time, but it might not rise as well. 

(If possible place in the fridge overnight, but I have not done this and it tastes just great!)

6. Gently shape the dough with your hands on an oiled or lined with parchment paper cooking sheet. Make it as thin or thick to your liking. I recommend thin crust. 

7. Pre-bake crust for about 5 minutes on about 450-550 degrees. This seems high, but pizza tends to cook best at high temperatures. Watch it because ovens vary.

8. Put sauce and toppings on pizza to liking and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on it so you know how long to cook it for next time. :) Enjoy!

Tips: You can keep the dough fresh in the fridge for up to 24 hours and it can be frozen if you place it in a freezer bag for later use.

Calories of Crust:

Serving size: 1/8 crust (cutting pizza in to 8 slices)

Calories: 58.5 (not including sauce and toppings.)

Sauteed Yellow Squash with Carrots

It's always great to get out to your local farmer's market and get some fresh veggies! Wherever and whenever you get them is a plus because they are good for you and will make you feel good.

Here is a simple recipe that you could use as a small meal, or a side dish. It has super low calories and keeps you full.

Ingredients:

-2 cups of diced yellow squash (about one small one)
-2 diced medium carrots
-1/2 tsp of olive oil
-salt and pepper to taste
-optional: 1 tbsp of pepitas (pumpkin seeds without the shell)

Directions:

1. Preheat oil in a sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Dice all veggies about the same size so that they cook evenly.
3. Saute for 10-12 minutes, or until the softness is to your liking.
4. Add 1 tbsp pepitas (optional)
5. Enjoy right away! :)

Calories:

Serving size: entire dish

130 calories without pepitas, or 186 calories with pepitas