Healthy Latina Living

A Journey of Health, Love & Laughter

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

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I believe that being healthy is all about making choices. I am also a strong believer in hamburgers, fries and all that is pie, preferably cherry! But like everything in life, moderation is key. And though I try to eat grass-fed this, free-range that, and non-gmo veggies and fruits, I do like and have a taste for good ol’ Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage…. I know, I know. Now before I discover Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage I was not a huge fan of sausage, heck I’m not a huge fan of pork in general.

But this post isn’t  about Jimmy Dean, oh no, it’s about the pretty little Portobello mushrooms that hold the tasty sage sausage mixture. Yup, I’m talking about MUSHROOMS!

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

I was surprised to find out recently that button mushrooms (white) and cremini(small brown) are in dead immature strains of a Portobello. I personally try to use mushrooms several times per week, as you know I have a love of pasta with the yummy Mushroom Farfalle. But this week I am sharing you a very quick and easy stuffed mushroom.

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
A quick 30 minute meal!
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 8 oz Jimmy Dean Sage Sausage (half roll)
  2. 1/2 cup Spicy Pico de Gallo (Whole Foods)
  3. 1/2 cup Italian Bread crumbs
  4. 1/4 cup Parmesan
  5. 1/4 cup Monterrey Jack Cheese
  6. 6-8 mini Portobello Mushrooms
Instructions
  1. clean mushrooms, removing stem and gills, being careful not to remove rim of mushroom.
  2. saute and brown sausage in pan over med heat, remove any residual oil.
  3. Combine all ingredients in bowl mix well.
  4. Spoon mixture into each mushroom, set on non-stick tray.
  5. Top with a little extra Monterrey jack cheese 🙂
  6. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
If you are wondering what to serve with the mushrooms, I just love a quick easy side of Kale!

Thanks for stopping by today as we continue our journey in the 2015 A to Z Challenge!

A to Z Challenge 'M' Badge

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade!

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In our house you either love them or hate them. Well, actually I think we all love them. And we are fortunate enough that we have a tree to give us a ton of them! Since we live in the San Joaquin Valley, and the way the weather has been for the past couple of years that means we have a few crops all year round! Even though I like lemons I have to be very careful making lemonade as not to burn the lining of my stomach off… but since lemons are so good for you, I just can’t help myself sometimes. I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes for a yummy summertime lemonade and the benefits of lemons.

Lemonade

Home grown Organic Lemons

Benefits of Lemons

  • Lemons help cure issues related to indigestion and constipation .
  • Eases the pain of sunburns.
  • Lemon juice can help with colds and fever by causing the body to increase perspiration.
  • Lemon juice can give hair a great shine including reducing the amount of dandruff.
  • Lastly, and most importantly, lemon can help reduce weight when combined with warm water and honey. since lemons are jam-packed with Vitamin C, it is able to increase liver function and increase metabolism.

Lemonade

 

Bee Sweet Lemonade
Serves 6
A cool & tasty summertime lemonade!
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Prep Time
20 min
Prep Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (approximately 4 large lemons)
  2. 1 cup warm water
  3. 1/4 - 1/2 cup Raw Honey (local preferably)
  4. 4-6 cups cold water
Instructions
  1. Squeezed juice from approximately 4 large lemons, will yield 1 cup juice, set aside.
  2. Combine Honey & 1 cup warm water in saucepan and bring to a boil.
  3. Once Honey and water are cooled, pour into pitcher, adding lemon juice and cool water.
  4. Chill 1-2 hours or serve over ice.
Notes
  1. Tip: Depending on the honey you use, it can have a very powerful taste. If you have a cold, I would recommend using 1/2 cups honey. The lemonade will have a very honey taste, but you will still be able to taste the lemonade.
  2. Note: This is a very strong lemonade mixture, if you are not used to drinking real, pure lemonade, add 6 cups of water instead of 4, as the acidity may be too hard on your stomach.
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
 We are happy to be participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge, today we celebrated the letter “L”.

A to Z Challenge Badge "L"

Kale Side Dish – 10 Minutes to Done!

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kale side dish

If you are reading this blog, then you probably already know that kale is a wonderful leafy green that is very nutrient dense. If you don’t, then you’ve probably seen it raw in salads and in smoothies. But did you know that you can whip up a tasty kale side dish in just 10 minutes that is not only nutritious but tasty!?!

Steamed Kale
Serves 4
A quick and easy side dish!
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. Single bunch of Kale
  2. Olive Oil
  3. Salt & Pepper
  4. Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
  1. In pot with steamer add approximately 1-2 inches water.
  2. Steam approximately 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add olive oil, salt & pepper to taste & sprinkle with Parmesan
  4. Enjoy!
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
Filled with over 45 flavinoids, this rich anti-oxidant leafy green makes a quick, easy and yummy side dish! With 3 g of protein per cup and only 33 calories, this is a great addition to any healthy diet!

We are happy to be joining in the 2015 A to Z Challenge!!

A to Z Challenge Badge 'K'
 

Photo Credit : Flickr – Bobbi Bowers

Jalepenos Ole! Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp

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I just love adding a little kick to my meals. I don’t know if that is the Latina in me, or just the fact I like things spicy! Before I get to far into this post though, I need to make one little confession. I am not the biggest fan of jalapenos. There I said it, I would much rather prefer a Fresno chili than a jalepeno. But everyone else in my household just loves the jalapeno.

So this little pepper is loved so much that we have a sweet little one (term of endearment) that is out by the pool! We planted her last year, and bless her little green leaves, we think she will produce more peppers this summer. I’ve named this plant Juanita the Jalapeno!

  jalapenos2pm

Facts About the Jalapeno!

  • Jalapeno is a great source of Vitamins C & A , Folate
  • They are also low fat & saturated fat free
  • Cholesterol and sodium free

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp

 

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Shrimp
A delicious appetizer!
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pkg Natural Uncured Bacon
  2. 1 can pineapple chunks or 1 fresh pineapple
  3. 1-2 Jalapenos
  4. 1/2 pound uncooked devined shrimp
Instructions
  1. Cut each slice of bacon in half
  2. Jalapenos, depending on how hot the jalapeno is, either slice the pepper being or cut lengthwise. If you want a lot of heat include seeds!
  3. Pineapple, butterfly chunks or cut fresh lengthwise
  4. Stack Jalapeno and pineapple and wrap with 1 slice of bacon
  5. Skewer with bamboo, if placing on bar-b-que be sure to soak bamboo at least 1 hour in water.
  6. Cook or BBQ for 10-15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.
  7. ENJOY!!
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/

 

Healthy Raw Honey

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Do you know that raw honey and the honey you buy at the store are completely different? Of course the main difference is that the honey purchased on the store shelf has been pasteurized. You may be asking, “Well what’s wrong with that? Milk is pasteurized too.”

Unfortunately for honey and your health pasteurization is a very bad thing. The pasteurization process destroys vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants and other nutrients through the high heating process. At this point the honey becomes just as pad as refined sugar. 

healthy raw honey

So what makes raw honey so great? 

Healthy Benefits

Raw Honey has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.

Blood Sugar Even though honey is a simple sugar, it actually has the right amount of fructose and glucose that helps regulate sugar levels.

Probiotic Some honey have large amounts of friendly bacteria including several species of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Cancer Prevention It’s possible with the flavonoids and anti-oxidants that honey contains it can help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.

 

 Today we are happy to be participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge. Today we are celebrating the letter “H”!

A to Z 2015 Challenge Badge "H"
Photo Credit: Flicker – Nick Perla ( featured image)

Photo Credit: Flicker – Thien Gretchen (honey jar)

5 Benefits of Garlic

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I wish I could tell you that I have loved garlic all my life, but seriously I don’t think I really began my love affair with food until about 10 years ago. When your first date with your husband takes place at a sushi joint, and you have your dinner reception at Mesa Grill… well it starts to set precedence of a second relationship with food. A relationship that caused me to gain 38 pounds after my reception. Even though I am currently taking a journey with Weight Watchers, there are herbs and spices that can make the most bland tasting foods into a fiesta in your mouth. One of those herbs capable of  that is Garlic!

5 benefits of garlic

Garlic has been used for thousands of years in both culinary and theraputic uses. 

 5 Benefits of Garlic

  • People who eat garlic at least 2x/week have a 44% lower risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Women who eat diets rich in Allium veggies (onions, chives, leeks, garlic) have lower levels of osteoarthritis.
  • Garlic oil my help protect  diabetic patients from cardiomyopathy.
  • Garlic can decrease the risk of prostate cancer in men.

Benefits of Garlic

Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes
A quick and easy mashed potato recipe
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 bag of ore-ida mashed potatoes
  2. 1/4 cup almond milk
  3. 3 cloves garlic
  4. 2 Tbsp Garlic
Instructions
  1. chop garlic cloves and saute with butter until lightly golden brown
  2. Microwave potatoes as directed
  3. Substitute almond milk and add sautéed garlic and butter to potatoes
  4. Serve hot
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
We are so happy to be participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge. Today we celebrated the letter G with Garlic.

A to Z Challenge "G" Badge

Photo Credits:

Flicker – Soren Oxenhave

Spicy Fig Jam

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Not to brag, but one of the reasons I love living in California, especially here in the San Joaquin Valley is the abundance of fresh figs, though it’s not quite the season yet. There are 4 main varieties here in California; Calimyrna, Brown Turkeys, Kadotas and my favorite Black Missions.

Though I don’t have any of my personal pictures on hand, I wanted to show the beautiful juiciness of figs! Fresh figs are a great source of Vitamins K & A. Vitamin A supports the health of your eyes, a long with aiding in cellular reproduction. Vitamin K assists the proteins in the body that are needed for clotting. 

Figs

 Did I happen to tell you how much I love fig jam? It’s probably my most favorite way to eat figs… then they last all year, unless you are like me and didn’t make any the season before! The following recipe is a low sugar recipe, that I used with Stevia instead of sugar. Being diabetic I try and make healthy changes in my favorite recipes to continue to enjoy my favorite foods!

Figs & Fig Jam

Spicy California Mission Fig Jam
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Ingredients
  1. 3 cups finely chopped California Mission Figs (about 20 medium)
  2. 1-3/4 cups unsweetened white grape or apple juice
  3. 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
  4. 3 Tbsp Ball® RealFruit™ Low or No-Sugar Needed Pectin
  5. 3/4 to 1 cup Stevia
  6. 1-2 tsp ground red chili pepper flakes
  7. 4 to 5 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and bands
Instructions
  1. GRADUALLY add pectin into white grape or apple juice until dissolved. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  2. IMMEDIATELY add prepared apricots into hot pectin mixture. Stir vigorously for 1 minute. Stir in Stevia.
  3. LADLE freezer jam into clean freezer jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Apply caps and let jam stand in refrigerator until set, but no longer than 24 hours. Serve immediately, refrigerate up to 3 weeks, or freeze up to 1 year.
Adapted from Pectin
Adapted from Pectin
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
Today we are continuing our participation in the 2015 A to Z Challenge! Today we celebrate the letter “F” with Figs!

A to Z challenge "F" Badge

Photo Credits: 

flicker – Keith McDuffee

flicker – Mike & Annabel Beales

Excellent Eggs, My Perfect Egg Salad Sandwich

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Eggs. I know very few people who don’t like eggs. With a family of three adults, we go through at least a dozen a week and sometimes 2. For the majority of my small family eggs are a great way to start off a morning. With 6 grams of protein, this is an excellent way to begin the day!

Being diabetic I love eggs for several reasons.

  1. Eggs provide a sustained energy source but not causing surges in blood sugar levels.
  2. Eggs provide varying amount of B12, B6, Thiamin, Riboflavin and Folate.
  3. At approximately 70 calories per egg, a two egg breakfast is a low calorie way to start the day.

But even though eggs are a great addition for breakfast or even dinner, my favorite way is to have them for Lunch! I just love this Egg Salad Sandwich!

Egg Salad Sandwich
Perfect Egg Salad Sandwich
Yields 3
My yummy go to egg salad sandwich recipe
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Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Prep Time
15 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
  1. 5 eggs
  2. 1 radish
  3. 1 celery stalk
  4. 2 Tbsp Mayonaise
  5. Salt & Pepper
  6. 2 slices Miltons Bread
Instructions
  1. Hard boil eggs, 25 minutes from warm water to boiling
  2. Chill eggs in ice bath for at least 15 minutes
  3. Chop celery & radishes to desired size
  4. Dice eggs in bowl, adding Mayonaise, radishes, celery and salt & pepper to taste.
  5. Serve with 2 slices of bread!
  6. Mixture makes a total of 3 servings
Notes
  1. Normally this is my sandwich, so I have left overs for a couple of times more! Yes I love it that much. Warning though, I normally only add the celery and radishes at the time I am going to eat. If left in the egg mixture, it will become a little watery.
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/
We are participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge! Be sure to check it out, there are over 1000 blogs participating this year, so it makes it a perfect way to find some awesome new blogs to follow!

A to Z Challenge Bade "E"

Deglet Noor Dates, So Naturally Delicious

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Hey baby, how about a date? No, not a take you out for dinner kinda date, but some yummy deglet noor dates.

Here in California date are grown in the Coachella Valley of Southern California. Dates happen to be one of my favorite dried fruits and I have been eating them since I was a little girl.  Normally I just snack on dates, but they can be used a number of different ways from appetizers, salads, dressing, and the list goes on and on. but my favorite recipe is this wonderful Walnut Date Bread!

There is an old Arabic saying, 

After God had finished molding Man from Earth; He took the remaining material and shaped it into a date palm which he placed in the Garden of Paradise”

Heart Healthy

Because dates are free of sodium, cholesterol and are saturated and transfat free, Deglet Noor and Medjool varieties are certified by the American Heart Association.

No Sugar Added

That rich caramel tasted found in dates is there naturally. But if you are diabetic you’ll want to watch your intake. 1 serving (5-6 dates) has approximately 25 g of sugar.

Fiber

As you know having a diet rich in fiber is great for you. Dates are a very nutrient dense food loaded with fiber, but also rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium and manganese.

Date Smoothie

Deglet Date Smoothie
Yields 18
A Yummy Date Smoothie with Bananas & Chia Seeds
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 medium bananas, ripe
  2. 1/4 cup pitted Deglet Dates
  3. 2 cups almond milk (use 1-1/2 cup for a thicker smoothie)
  4. 2 teaspoons chia seeds, soaked for at least 30 mins before
  5. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  6. 1/2 cup crushed ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Blend all together in a Smoothie Blender or regular blender! Drink and Enjoy!
Adapted from
Adapted from
Healthy Latina Living http://www.healthylatinaliving.com/

Craft Chocolate …. My Love for Molucca

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You probably have heard how good chocolate is for you. Now I’m not talking about the yucky stuff that is on the shelves of the check out line at your grocery store, but the beautiful Dark Chocolate with cocoa percentages of 70%, 85% or more! I am sure you may know that not all chocolate is a like in the taste. What you may not know that the process in which the chocolate, along with the source (location), makes all the difference in the world!

I am all about eating local, but that doesn’t just mean fruits and veggies. I will turn to a family owned restaurant before a chain, and a local producer of dairy products too! But recently my world and love for chocolate changed when I discovered the guys from Molucca Craft Chocolate at the Vineyard Farmers Market in February. 

Molucca Craft Chocolate
What I like about Molucca is their dedication to crafting an amazing chocolate bar. Each bar comes from a single source, so I have a choice of eating a bar from Indonesia, Peru, Bolivia, etc. What I love about this is that just because a bar may be 70%, it will taste different from a bar at the same percentage from a different country. In addition, Molucca works with individual farmers who grow, harvest and process the beans according to Moluccas specific specifications. Because of all this dedication makes the taste amazing.

Molucca Craft Chocolate
In addition to bars they also have roasted Cacao Beans available. I love using these beans in a variety of dishes, and drinks! My favorite though is adding the beans to my morning steal cut oats with walnuts and berries! Be sure if you are using beans for the first time that you remove them from their shell!

Craft Chocolate cocoa beans on oatmeal
Today we are participating in the 2015 A to Z Challenge. Today we celebrate “C” with Craft Chocolate. I hope you enjoyed today’s post and don’t forget to order some Molucca Craft Chocolate for yourself!

A to Z Challenge Bade "C"