Weekly Newsletter: Bees, promised recipe and healthy happenings

The Bees are Back!

Here we are again. All the familiar feeling; excitement, nervousness are back once again. I'm happy to be able to bring more bees home. 

We've gone with a new type of bee, Italian Bees....fitting don't you think? However this was purely by accident. The Carniolan variety we had before had problems with their queens this year. This is a problem we didn't want to take on; if you remember our problem with our queen in the past. You can read about it here: http://healthyappetitesllc.blogspot.com/2013/08/queen-bee-drama.html?m=1

           It's such an amazing sight. 

This bee is covered in powdered sugar. They are sprinkled in sugar before being placed into the hive to rid them of mites.

With crossed fingers and a leap of faith, will begin another bee journey. I'm excited to chronicle this here to share with you.

Healthy Recipe of the Week:

Last week on my Facebook page; https://m.facebook.com/HealthyAppetitesLLC I promised you the recipe for Mexican Quinoa Casserole. This was delicious and so easy to make!

Oven-Baked Mexican Quinoa Casserole

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

70 mins

Total time

1 hour 20 mins

Saute the onion and garlic, then toss everything in a casserole dish and let it cook in the oven for 1 hour. 

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes, with liquid
• ½ cup water
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp chili powder (more if you like things spicy)
• Salt & freshly ground pepper
• 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 15 oz can corn kernels, with liquid
• 3 cups baby spinach
• Toppings of choice: sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, cheese etc.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium frying pan (or stove-top-safe 2.8 liter/3 quart casserole dish). Add onion and garlic, and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; and transfer to oven-safe casserole dish if not already using one.
3. Add quinoa, deced tomatoes (with juice), water, ketchup and spices. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
4. COVER and place in oven and set timer for 30 minutes.
5. Caferfully remove casserole from oven and stir in drained beans and corn (with liquid). If the mixture looks dry, add a half cup of water.
6. Return to oven, covered and set timer for another 30 minutes.
7. Caferfully remove casserole from oven and stir in spinach. It will wilt from the heat.
8. Top with sour cream, diced avocado and/or cilantro and serve.
9. IF FREEZING: Make full recipe but leave-out the spinach and toppings. Let cool and freeze in airtight container(s). To serve: defrost fully, lightly reheat (in microwave or on stovetop), stir in spinach and add toppings of choice.

*Adapted from Vegangela

Affirmation of the Week: 

Never doubt the power of positive thinking!

         Healthy Happenings:

Healthy Appetites Meal Planning. 

Let me help make your meals healthier and easier by doing the planning for you! 

Details are here: http://healthyappetitesllc.blogspot.com/2015/03/weekly-newsletter-welcome-to-healthy.html?m=1

HSS After school Enrichment

We are off to a great start!  We've jumped right into learning about how to  make healthy choices everyday.  I've introduced the concept of Traffic Light Eating; Green Light  = Go/Grow Foods Yellow Light = Slow Down Foods  and Red Light = Stop and Make a Healthier Choice Foods.  This is a fun, kid friendly way to talk about healthy eating to children.

We take time to talk about their school day while eating a healthy snack I've provided.  Fruit, veggies with hummus and homemade granola bars are a few of the snacks we've shared so far.

We enjoy PLAYING outside during our time together as well.  Games such as Frisbee, Simon Says, Tag and Red Light-Green Light are fantastic ways to get their bodies moving and having fun. Boy, these kids are fast runners!

Time Out for Mom - COMING SOON, STAY TUNED!! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week.  Remember to take time for yourself, pause, breath deep and smile!

Much love, 

Alyssa

ox

Weekly Newsletter: Vacation, Affirmations and Flourless Cookies

How are you?  Did you have a nice week?

This past week, we enjoyed our spring break.  While the weather was less spring-like, we made the most of it and I have to say we enjoyed it immensely!

I unplugged, a bit and spent the time in tune to my children and myself and our needs as we breathed deeply and enjoyed spending time with those we hold dear. To me there's nothing better or more healing than surrounding yourself with those who bring you joy.

One of my most cherished moments this week was sea glass hunting with my daughter.  The sound of the swirling ocean and crashing waves and smell of sea air is without a doubt the cure to whatever ails you.  I could spend hours there at the seaside.  It makes me look forward to adventures to come this summer!  However, I do recommend heading to a beach whatever the season.  Pure bliss!

Weekly Affirmation:

I can honestly say, I love the people that are in my life. Every single person is unique and bring such wonderful qualities to the world. 

Keep those close to you that bring you joy.

Weekly Recipe:

I recently had these cookies at our Earth Day Celebration in school and they were amazing!  I then hunted down my friend who made them for the recipe! Thank you Courtney! 

Flourless Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Yields 28 cookies

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar 

2 large eggs

11/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup organic creamy peanut butter (I used sunbutter due to a nut allergy in a classroom)

6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped

3 cups rolled oats

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.  Beat in the eggs one at a time until combined.  Add vanilla, baking soda, and salt; mix well.  Add peanut butter and mix until incorporated.  Stir in the oats, chocolate chips and nuts.

3. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown around the edges.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool.

**Note; Cookies will be very soft straight out of the oven.  Don't over bake or they will not be chewy.

*adapted from mytraderjoes.net

Healthy Happenings:

*Horne Street School Enrichment Program

May 6- June 10

Healthy Appetites Meal Plans

My job as a certified health coach is to help busy families make healthier lifestyle choices.  Meal planning is just one way I can help make your life easier!

COMING SOON!

Time Out for Moms

A monthly workshop that gives Time Out for Moms because it's so important!

Join me as we share healthy recipes and tips on how to live LEAN and take time out for ourselves as mothers.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Much love,

Alyssa

XO