Cooking and baking and eating - oh my!

Today was filled with sunshine, cooking and baking - my idea of a pretty perfect day!

I bought these gorgeous organic zucchini and decided to bake a loaf of zucchini bread...

First I gathered all of my ingredients..

Next, I grated the zucchini - you will need 1 1/2 cups. I used one zucchini and that was enough. Which means I can make more bread with extra one! :o

Isn't it pretty?! Once I set aside the grated zucchini, I whisked the honey and melted butter together (with a little help from a sweet 2 year old that I know)...

Then I sifted all the dry ingredients together...

Next step = combining the dry and wet ingredients together...

Yes, that is SBG's little hand again, helping me stir the mixture! She is becoming quite the cook! :)

Pour everything into a grease bread pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

Voila!

Serve with fresh berries on the side and it makes a tasty dessert or snack after a workout!

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

Serves: 10-16 

Author: Natrunsfar (adapted from Food.com)

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini

* 1/2 cup melted butter

* 1/2 cup honey

* 2 eggs beaten

* 1 teaspoon vanilla

* 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

*  1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

- Beat together melted butter and honey

- Add eggs, vanilla and grated zucchini

- Sift the dry ingredients and then add to the zucchini mixture

- Bake in a greased 9 inch loaf pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

- Let bread cool for 10 minutes, then serve warm = delicious and healthy!

And this is what we had for dinner...

Mini turkey burgers, baked sweet potato fries, steamed broccoli and sliced raw organic red bell pepper!

For the mini turkey burger buns, I simply took a round cookie cutter and cut circles out of Ezekiel bread (which I think is the healthiest bread in the world! ZERO sugar!! Nothing artificial added!!)...

For the sweet potato fries, I bought two organic sweet potatoes (SO much confusion over what is a YAM vs. a SWEET POTATO. Read all about it HERE!)...

First, I sliced the potatoes into long, thin slices...

Next, I placed the potato slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzled with some extra virgin olive oil...

Then, I sprinkled a mixture of sea salt, onion powder and garlic powder onto the potatoes and baked in the oven for 20 minutes (on 475 degrees). 

NOTE: I also used this mixture and sprinkled it over the raw turkey meat for the burgers. Then I formed them into mini patties, used 2 teaspoons of olive oil in an iron skillet and cooked on medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side.

Added a piece of spinach to the mini burgers and dinner is served!

Bon Appetit!! 

Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

What type of workout is everyone doing today (running, yoga, fitness class, etc)?

I will be running in the pool today + some core work!

Happiness Is Running Life!

xo,

Natalie