Zucchini for Days: What To Do When You’ve Got a Ton of Zucchini

What can you do when you have too much zucchini? A whole lot, it turns out!
Image: Shutterstock

So. I have a teeny problem. Well, okay… a great big problem. You see, this year, I started my first in-earnest gardening season. I have three raised beds, and I’ve filled them all with what I hope will be delicious homegrown fruits and veggies. I’ve got beets, chard, onion, beans, peas, strawberries, raspberries, artichokes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, blueberries… and WAY TOO MUCH ZUCCHINI!

You see, when I first moved in to my new place, I saw an adorable little broad-leafed seedling poking up amongst the weeds in the raised beds. One I pulled everything else out, I took (what I thought was) a close look at the little guy. Then, I went to the store and looked for a similar plant to see if I could figure out what it was. The answer, or so I thought: cucumber. I even found an old cucumber plant care tag in the soil.

“Perfect,” I thought. “I love cucumber! You know what else I love? Zucchini. Oh, look, I’ll buy this adorable zucchini plant to go with my cucumbers!” So I did. I planted the zucchini I bought and started caring in earnest for the rogue cucumber plant in the garden. Pretty soon, a second plant popped up. “Yay!” I thought. “More cucumbers! I’ll learn how to make pickles!”

This is where my problems started. You see, I had no idea how quickly both cucumber and zucchini plants go from tiny and adorable to taking up your entire garden. Lacking foresight, I planted lots of other things near the plants. When it became obvious the three large plants were too close to each other, I moved the zucchini over to the other bed. “Phew,” I thought. “Crisis averted!”

Then the blossoms started. They are so bright, enormous, and stunning when they bloom in the morning. But something wasn’t quite right. The cucumber plant was getting way bigger than it should have, and the cucumbers were looking rather large… and zucchini-like. Too zucchini-like.

And now you’ve guessed it – the “cucumber” plants are not cucumbers at all. They are also zucchini plants. And the problem with zucchini, besides how much space they take up? It’s how much zucchini just one plant will produce (especially in fertile soil). I’ve got at least 15 blossoms on each of the plants, and more pop up every day. That’s a heck of a lot of zucchini for three people to eat.

So, now I’ve been on the lookout for ideas on what to do with zucchini. Of course, I plan to freeze some, as well as give a lot of it to neighbors and coworkers—but I’m sure we’ll still have a ton of it all summer long.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for using up excess zucchini – just in case any of you have my same problem or just happen to love zucchini!

• Blueberry Zucchini Muffins:
• http://cookingalamel.com/2012/09/blueberry-zucchini-muffins.html
• Spicy Zucchini Frittata:
• http://www.wholeliving.com/180971/spicy-zucchini-frittata
• Zucchini Summer Skillet:
• http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/07/zucchini-summer-skillet-with-poached-eggs-garlic-brown-butter-baguettes/
• Zucchini Cornbread:
• http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/zucchini-cornbread
• Zucchini Pizza Bites (this also works with eggplant!):
• http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/07/zucchini-pizza-bites.html
• Ratatouille (I’ve always wanted to try this):
• http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/07/rat-a-too-ee-for-you-ee/
• Zucchini Lasagna:
• http://www.chow.com/recipes/30280-noodleless-zucchini-lasagna

Did you know you can also make some pretty rad desserts from zucchini? Check out these magnificent sounding zucchini desserts:

• Pineapple Zucchini Cake:
• http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/pineapple-zucchini-sheet-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
• Zucchini Brownies:
• http://carpeseason.com/zucchini-brownies/
• Zucchini Bread:
• Regular: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-zucchini-bread-157748
• Double Chocolate: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-double-chocolate-zucchini-bread-recipes-from-the-kitchn-206460

Not seeing something you love? Check out some more options for zucchini at The Kitchn, one of my all-time favorite resources for recipes!

A Very Figgy Day to You!

Who else loves figs?
Image: Shutterstock

When I was little, I’m pretty sure I had no idea that figs existed—other than as the name of the delicious and chewy cookie we bought sometimes. When I got older, I did learn that it was a fruit, though I never tried it. My dad never cooked much, and though my mom did, it was always fairly stereotypically American—tuna casserole, spaghetti, meatloaf. We didn’t eat fancy things like figs, in part because as kids we were pretty picky and probably would have just turned up our noses.

But after college, I had to learn to fend for myself. I’ve never been much of a junk food eater (bread is my downfall), and I learned frommy dad’s illness that processed foods have a whole lot of unnecessary and often unhealthy things in them, so I didn’t want to use too many of those. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to cook.

But, over the years, I’ve taught myself how to make quite a few meals from scratch (along with some help from friends more food-snobby than me) instead of from the box. Thank God for the Internet! I didn’t actually try fresh figs until I moved to Seattle and I happened to order a pizza that had some on top. What can I say; it was love at first bite!

You can imagine my elation when I spotted some figs at Trader Joe’s this weekend. I still don’t know much about using them in recipes, but I love buying foods I don’t know how to cook with just to force myself to learn how. So, I bought a bunch of figs.

We’ve used them in two dinners so far. Earlier this week, I sliced some up thinly and put them on top of some homemade pizzas along with artichoke hearts, fresh basil, olives, Canadian bacon, pesto, red sauce, and (of course) mozzarella cheese. Last night, we had steak, spicy baked kale, and sautéed figs—all I did was slice them in half and sauté them in a little oil for about 10 minutes on medium heat. Both nights, the figs lent just the perfect amount of sweet to our meals. Next, I think I’ll try them in some morning oatmeal.

Besides the taste, eatingfigs provides an array of health benefits. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and pantothenic acid. They can help lower blood pressure, assist in weight loss because of the high dietary fiber, protect against postmenopausal breast cancer, and protect against macular degeneration.

Have you ever cooked with figs? What is your favorite fig recipe? I’d love to hear some more ideas for how to use these lovely little fruits up!

Back to Basics: My After-Holidays Oatmeal Bake

I like adding walnuts to my oatmeal.
Image: Shutterstock

If you traveled like I did during the holidays, you may be feeling a little bit guilty about all those delicious cookies, glasses of eggnog, and carb-heavy meals. I generally follow the principal of living a generally healthy life; most of the time, I fix meals that are full of healthy ingredients and try to avoid overindulging on things like sweets and carbs.

Going into the holidays, though, I knew that I would be making some exceptions. I traveled home to Idaho for a week and a half, and we ate several meals out, had rich Christmas Eve and Day dinners, and drank a good amount of eggnog. I love allowing myself to indulge once in a while, and last week was definitely one of those times.

But.

Now, it’s back to real life. While those rich foods were oh-so-delicious while I was on vacation, they left me feeling heavy and bloated. I missed simple dinners and yoga. And now, it’s time to get back to that. This week, I’m back to cooking at home, and I started with making myself an oatmeal bake for breakfast this week. I find that breakfast is the easiest meal for me to eat unhealthy during because I  am slow moving in the mornings. Luckily for me, this oatmeal bake was super easy to make—and I can just microwave it each morning for a wholesome meal! Here’s what I did:

Cocoa nibs add a wonderful nutty taste and tons of antioxidants.
Image: Shutterstock

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats (I generally prefer steel-cut, but they take much longer to prepare)

2 cups milk of your choice (I used whole)

1 egg

1 cup fresh berries (I used raspberries)

1 ripe banana, sliced

1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

½ cup honey

1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
Handful of cocoa nibs (optional)

1 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix dry ingredients in a 9 x 12 casserole dish.

Stir wet ingredients (milk, vanilla, egg, honey) in a large bowl and pour over dry ingredients.

Mix it all up!

Place in a 375 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes.

The result? YUM! The honey and banana make it sweet, but not too sweet. The nuts and cocoa nibs also provide a wonderful texture, keeping the oatmeal from feeling “mushy” like it sometimes can. I’m not much of one for eating the same thing ever day, but this I can handle J

Check out other healthy whole grain breakfasts here. I haven’t tried these, but they sure do look good. Maybe next week, once I gobble up the rest of my oatmeal bake!

5 Quick and Healthy Breakfasts

Overnight apple cinnamon oats are a quick and healthy breakfast.
Image: Shutterstock

I… have a problem. I love breakfast. I know what you’re thinking—that doesn’t sound like a problem to me! It’s not the loving breakfast part that’s the issue, though. It’s the fact that I tend to spend way too much time preparing it in the morning. On Saturdays and Sundays, that’s no big deal—but during the week when I have a bus to catch and work to get to… moving slowly in the mornings isn’t really an option unless I want to get up earlier.

And I hate getting up earlier than I have to.

This leaves me with two options: constantly being rushed because by the time I finish my breakfast I have ten minutes to get out the door; or, finding a healthy, delicious, and fast way to enjoy the first meal of my day. Since I’m not a fan of rushing around in the morning, the latter option is the clear choice. So, what can you eat instead of cereal for a quick yet healthy breakfast? Check out some of these tasty options I’ve discovered:

Mix up a protein smoothie for breakfast.
Image: Shutterstock

1. Peanut Butter and Fruit Wraps—Can you say “yum?”  I love that this breakfast is also low in carbs. Just spread on some peanut butter, add sliced fruit of your choice and voila! My favorite fruits to use include strawberries and grapes. Pears or apples would be a great choice, too!
2. Protein Smoothies—the options here are endless! Try frozen cherries, kiwi, orange juice, cocout water, agave nectar, vanilla protein powder and ice cubes for a “Cherry Bomb” packed with protein.
3. Yogurt Parfait—Mix up some plain Greek yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, and a tiny bit of honey for a sweet and delicious breakfast. Plus, the Greek yogurt and granola should provide enough substance to tide you over much longer than a silly old bowl of cereal would!
4. Apple Cinnamon Steel-Cut Oats—Ditch the rolled oats for the much more complex and healthier version—steel-cut oats. They take longer to prepare, but if you bring them up to boiling the night before and then store them in the fridge overnight, they’ll take just ten minutes to finish cooking in the morning. Or, you can simply throw some apples, cinnamon, oats, and water in the slow cooker and wake up with your house smelling of apple pie and breakfast ready to go!
5. Banana-Coffee Smoothie—OK, I know this last one sounds a little odd, but I promise, it’s delicious (as long as you like bananas and coffee). Cold brew coffee overnight, and in the morning toss the coffee, half a banana, some protein powder (vanilla or chocolate, preferably), and ice into the blender. Once it’s all blended, you’ll have an amazing smoothie that gives you your morning dose of caffeine and some protein to get through the morning. Supplement with a piece of whole-grain toast topped with a fried egg if it doesn’t feel like enough.

I hope that, with these options, a quick breakfast doesn’t have to mean a bowl of cereal any longer. I love my cereal, but unfortunately it just doesn’t give me the protein and nutrients I need to start my day off right. Options like these allow me to eat healthy on the weekdays as well as the weekends, no matter if I have five minutes or an hour. I hope they’ll allow you all to do the same!

Please share with me any other quick and healthy breakfasts you’ve discovered over the years—I’d love to add some new recipes to my morning routine!

12 Foods That Prevent Breast Cancer

Curry can help prevent breast cancer.
Image: Shutterstock

Did you know that what you eat influences your health? Of course you did! What kind of a silly question is that, anyway?

It’s a question I’m inclined to ask because, well, we don’t always eat the best foods. We know that our bodies depend on the food we eat to stay up and running. We know that some foods can contribute to cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes… you name it. We’re told over and over that we shouldn’t eat certain foods, but let’s face it—some junk food is incredibly seductive.

It’s time for a new plan. When I was a teacher, we learned about different types of discipline. One type involved negative reinforcement (you take something away) and another involved positive reinforcement (you give something). I’m a big fan of positive reinforcement, because it’s guilt-free.

Instead of making ourselves feel oh-so-bad about the nasty food we eat once in a while, why not try patting ourselves on the back—or in this case, boobs—for eating something that’s great for us. Ladies, I hope you’re listening, because here are twelve (delicious) foods that can help prevent breast cancer:

Eat some naturally orange food! It's good for you!
Image: Shutterstock

1. Curry
2. Broccoli
3. Garlic
4. Apples
5. Pomegranates
6. Walnuts
7. Fish
8. Flaxseed
9. Soybeans
10. Orange fruits and vegetables
11. Berries
12. Green Tea 

I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to see that I love all of those foods. I want to try something—but I need your help. I really want to post some wonderful healthy recipes using these ingredients. So here’s my request: pick your favorite ingredient on the list and then e-mail me a delicious recipe to use it in.

I’ll pick my favorite recipes from those submitted, and post them on my blog in the coming weeks. I’ll of course provide author attribution as long as you provide your information. Ready? Set! Let the good recipes roll!

Sweet Potato Lovin’

It is almost impossible for me to say "no" to a plate of
sweet potato or yam fries. Seriously. All of my self control.
Image: Shutterstock

Is there a food out there that you are in love with? I’m not talking about a food you simply “like a lot” or “enjoy.” Oh no, I’m talking about straight-up food love. Addiction. Obsession. Whatever you want to call it, the symptoms are specific: you can’t get enough of it, almost never say “no,” and have to play down your excitement about it to keep others from thinking you’re crazy.

For me, that food is sweet potatoes. And oh how sweet they are! I love sweet potatoes. I don’t think I’ve ever not enjoyed sweet potatoes in a meal—and if I didn’t like the meal, well, it was probably another food’s fault.

I can hardly believe how fast the summer is going—can you believe it’s August already? Soon enough, we’ll be into September and October. Fall is coming, and with it will come the cooler air and cravings for warm and hearty meals. For me, that means oh so many wonderful ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into my diet.

Sweet potatoes have 438% of your daily value of Vitamin A and contains lots of beta carotene for protecting that beautiful skin of yours. The average sweet potato has 28% more potassium than a banana. Oh yeah, and they’re low in calories, too! If you love sweet potatoes as much as I do, then I hope you can make good use of this “sweet” list of simple recipe ideas. Check it out:

Rosemary Sweet Potato Wedges? Yes, please!
Image: Shutterstock

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad—Lay out a bed of your favorite greens (I prefer spinach, arugula, or a kale mix) and top it with roasted sweet potatoes and bell peppers, goat cheese, and a balsamic dressing.

Gingered Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup—Easy peasy lemon squeezie! Just sauté a chopped onion until it begins to soften, then add vegetable stock, sweet potato, carrot, and ginger. Cook for about 15 minutes, then strain out the veggies, puree, and add broth for desired thickness.

Rosemary Sweet Potato Wedges—Make some home-style fries the sweet way—with sweet potatoes and rosemary! Just chop your sweet potato into wedges, mix together rosemary and melted butter, and spread over the wedges with salt and pepper to taste. Then, bake at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes.

If you want to see some more recipes or see the ones above in their entirety, check out this great article by Women’s Health Mag. Test them out and let me know what you think!

3 Workout Blogs I Love

I love to work out, but I’m not an expert on creating workout routines and schedules. I can run, stretch, and do some basic exercises on my own, but that’s about it. From there, I rely on the wonderful online community of fitness bloggers. When I want to do a workout for my arms, I search online for a routine. But there are thousands of workouts online, and not all of them are great—so I look to a few sites in specific.

Cassey Ho - Blogilates

1. Blogilates—If you haven’t heard of Cassey Ho, you need to visit her site RIGHT NOW! This fitness guru is incredibly personable and knowledgeable. She posts regularly on her blog, and her website has everything from grocery lists and recipes to workout videos and workout calendars. She even has her own shop full of adorable workout clothing, which she regularly sports for fans. Her workout videos are serious, but she keeps the mood light with cheerful conversation, encouragement, and good music.

Katrina and Karena - Tone It Up!

2. Tone It Up!—Karena and Katrina have a fantastic website. Members of their website can create their own profiles and connect with other women working toward a healthy and fit lifestyle. They’re also on Facebook and Twitter, and have published a workout DVD. And of course, they have a Tone It Up Nutritional plan and new workouts posted to their site every week.

Tatianna - LovingFit

3. LovingFit—This blog is run by Tatianna, who is an ex-professional figure skater. The website includes information on how to create a personalized workout plan and how to categorize yourself—beginner, intermediate, or advanced. She regularly posts workout routines for different muscle groups, and posts food challenges and recipes.

There are some other fantastic workout blogs out there, too. Which ones do you use as your go-to sites? I’d love to hear about your favorite blogs and inspirational fitness figures. Share with me in the comments section, and I’ll be sure to check them out!

Mediterranean Diet Craze

The Mediterranean Diet calls for plenty of
fruits and veggies every day.
Image: Shutterstock

It seems like all I’ve been reading about in the past few days are the Oscars and the Mediterranean diet. I didn’t watch the Oscars, but I’ll admit I jealously perused all the gorgeous gowns afterwards. And of course once I was done with that, I could move on to reading about the Mediterranean diet.

Of course, I’d heard of it before, but I had never looked into the specifics. Now it’s all the craze. That’s because a recent study confirmed that eating a Mediterranean diet can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. A survey of about 1.5 million healthy adults showed that those who ate Mediterranean diets had a reduced incidence of not just heart disease, but also cancer, cancer mortality, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

These are the key components of the Mediterranean diet, according to the Mayo Clinic (information taken directly from their site):

The Mediterranean Hierarchy
Image from diet-blog.com

• Getting plenty of exercise
• Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
• Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
• Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
• Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
• Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
• Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)

Part of what makes the diet so great is that it is very low in LDL cholesterol, which we call “bad” cholesterol. It also has a good amount of healthy fats in it, which come mostly from nuts and fish. Grains are not avoided in this diet; rather, whole grains are eaten in moderation.

Mediterranean cookbook, Cook Yourself Sexy
Image from candicekumai.com

The hierarchy of foods is laid out like this: on the first tier (largest) are olive oil, fruit, nuts, vegetables, and whole grains; on the second tier (middle) are fish and poultry; and on the third (smallest) tier are red meats, dairy, processed meats, and sweets.

“The fear of fat is so 1980s,” said Candice Kumai, author of Cook Yourself Sexy. “That’s not what’s making you fat. It’s the overconsumption of grains, heavy meats, the wrong type of fats, refined sugar and processed foods.” Kumai’s new book features Mediterranean recipes like Lox, Caper and Rocket Salad; Roasted Tomatoes with Barley; Clams in White Wine Sauce Over Linguine; and Cherry-Pistachio Biscotti—all full of nutrients and omega-3s. Yum!