Zoodles

I have been seriously slacking on my blogging the past couple weeks considering I was doing it much more frequently.  Whoops.  I wish I could say it was because I was super busy doing important stuff, but I was mostly binge-watching House of Cards and working.  My life is so boring.  I do have other posts written, I just don't post them because I am always changing stuff and debating whether it is even interesting or not.

In hopes that this is a "no judgment zone", I'm going to divulge that I'm feeling slightly hungover (sorry parents).  BUT in my defense, the Badgers won last night, and I did a little celebrating.  After saying "this is my last drink" 4 different times, I realized I cannot hang like I used to.  I blame it on college for not preparing me for life after college.

SO, I'm going to pretend like I'm being healthy today and post about a meal I made a couple weeks ago and then actually order delivery because that's where I am in life right now.

Right before I made this meal, I debated making a post about how much I hate the Vegetti.  I don't know if that's how you spell it, but it's and "As Seen On TV" thing that spiyralizes vegetables.  (Sorry about my grammar today I'm not on my game)  Anyway, I finally got the hang of it, so I like it again. I just couldn't get it right the first 3 times I used it.

It is soooo cool and it is such a great/fast substitute if you want to make pasta!  I have only tried zucchini, but you could do carrots or cucumbers for a salad or something!

I just spiraled one zucchini, sautéed it in some EVOO, then cooked some ground turkey and threw in some spinach and marinara! So simple and fast and delicious. You can totally add your own veggies and everything else you want, I just am in a hurry and don't buy other stuff normally.  But it's good.

I made some homemade marinara, have I posted that recipe before? If not, here it is:

Marinara

• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• pinch of sugar/salt combo
• optional: crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, etc. whatever you wanna spice it up with

In a pot, brown the garlic with the olive oil, then add in tomatoes, and seasonings and simmer for about 7 minutes.  Super simple and easy to do when you're cooking anything else.  

Tennessee (There Ain't No Place I'd Rather Be)

I have been kind of MIA this past week, because I have been busy exploring Tennessee with the family.  My sister Leiah goes to PA school in Memphis, and my cousin August goes to Pharmacy school in Nashville.

After a random conversation with Leiah about a month ago, I had a spur of the moment decision to buy a plane ticket.  I have spent the last week in Nashville/Memphis eating and walking and drinking and shopping.  Wow, are those my favorite things or what?!

Anyone from the Midwest knows that this winter has been BRUTAL.  So, a little break from bitter cold was fabulous.

It was mid 50s-60s the whole time.  Yay!

Also, right when I arrived in Nash, I was promptly greeted with a cheese platter from Gus, haha. :)  Me + Vacations = free for all.  I don't really like to eat healthy when I'm anywhere but where I live.  WHO CARES. Gotta live a little, right?

We had some quality family time, and my friend Lindsey came to visit since she lives in Atlanta now.  I killed 3 birds with one stone in this trip.

Gus showed us around downtown that night, and we went to a bar called Losers.  Apparently Sam Hunt goes there from time to time and he is one of my favorite, new Country singers.  Plus, he's really good looking, so that doesn't hurt.  They had live music there, and the drummer was wearing a Packer shirt, so of course we started a "Go Pack Go" chant.

The next day we went around to Broadway where all the fun happens.

Love this sign at Biscuit Love Brunch

This picture was at Honkey Tonk Central, which is 3 stories and had balconies so we could be outside.  Also, if you didn't know, it isn't illegal to smoke in bars here, so it was nice to get some fresh air.  It was so weird to see/smell when you're so used to not being around that. Yuck.  

The rest of the week Leiah and I spent together doing random/fun stuff.  We made sushi and watch The Bachelor, of course. I still can't even talk about how annoyed I am with the new season of The Bachelorette...ABC fail.

Where was Matt Neary when you need him to roll?

Lei and I got massages, did some exploring, went to the zoo.  I don't think I have ever seen a panda so this was a big deal.

Jelly Belly collection dedicated to Ashlie Jones, duh.

Downtown Memphis

How cute is this?!

I had tons of fun and it was so nice to have a relaxing little week.  I can't wait to come back and visit! 

PIZZA.

It's time for a crowd pleasing favorite: pizza.

Of course, I'm going to ruin the fun and tell you about a healthier way to make this pizza.

I made a cauliflower crust.  I was absolutely skeptical about this, because who wants a pizza crust made out of a vegetable? Not me.

However, I've seen a million recipes online, so I figured I might as well give it a try.  Here is where I found mine.

After making this recipe, I have a few comments.

First, HOLY COW.  It was AMAZING.  I was so surprised.  It's one of those situations where you don't expect it to taste as good as the original, but it did.  And, it was SO simple to make.  How great is that?!

Seriously, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Second, it makes A LOT.  I would recommend making half the recipe, so that's what I'll include down below.  If you'd like the two pans of it, then go ahead and make the original! I just personally did not need that much.  However, I definitely finished it all anyway.  (over the span of a couple days, not all in one sitting)

Third, I made both the pizza option and the cheesy "bread" option, because I had so much.  I, myself, preferred the cheese bread option the best.  I don't know why, I just like it much better. I can't explain that one.  Pizza, though, you can add your own toppings.  So, that's definitely a close second.

Lastly, almost every recipe I have seen for cauliflower crust calls for using a cheese cloth to ring out the moisture from the cauliflower.  This helps the crust become more crisp.  I chose the lazy route with this recipe and refrained from buying a cheese cloth. I would recommend doing this, however, because I know it will help get that texture!

I am planning on buying a cheese cloth or a nut milk bag asap, though.  I am dying to make my own cheese from almonds and make homemade almond milk.  I'm super cool and exciting.

Anyway, here is the result/recipe!!!! ENJOY

Cauliflower Crust

• 2 Cups cauliflower, riced in a food processor (about 1/2 head cauliflower)
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese 
• 1 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 2 Cloves of garlic, minced
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1/2-1 Cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese to top
• Optional: veggies for pizza, marinara (desired amount) 

1.  Preheat oven to 425.  Prepare pizza pans with parchment paper

2.  Add roughly chopped cauliflower florets to food processor and pulse until rice-like texture

3.  Put in microwave safe container with a lid and microwave for about 6-8 minutes

4.  Once microwaved, place cauliflower in a large bowl, and add eggs, mozzarella, oregano, garlic, and salt and pepper.  

5.  Place mixture on pans and shape into pizza or breadstick form.

6.  Bake for 25 min., or until golden brown. Once golden, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 5 more minutes if doing cheese bread.  If doing pizza, top with marinara, toppings, and cheese.  

I topped my pizza with some spinach

Welcome to March

**Written while binge watching The Walking Dead**

It's finally March!

That means a few things.  My social media gets bombarded by March Madness talk, Shamrock Shakes are back, Girl Scouts will tempt you with cookies, and most importantly, Spring is approaching.  I can start to slowly switch my coffee to iced.

Newest obsession: Chai Tea Lattes
I tried the Starbucks one a couple months ago, and I am HOOKED.  If you have never tried one, they are creamy, warm spicy drink.  Highly recommend.  I like to buy from local, small businesses, and Moka is pretty amazing.

Craving one now.

Since, ya know, the seasons are starting to change, I'm trying to spruce up my breakfast situation.

My quest for a healthy lifestyle is forcing me to be creative and stuff.

I have major culinary skills now, because I finally learned how to poach an egg.

This was my biggest accomplishment of the day, considering it was my lazy day off work.

I bought some gluten free English muffins.  Yum! Maybe it's sad that these types of things make me excited, whatever.

My little creation today was delicioso.

If you've never poached an egg before, it's pretty simple.

Fill a sauce pan or a skillet with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer.  Use a spoon to create a "whirlpool" in the pan.  Break egg into a small bowl, and pour in close to the water's surface, in the center of the whirlpool.  Cook for 3-5 minutes, and use a slotted spoon to remove from the water.

Easy!

I just topped a toasted English muffin with spinach, sliced tomato, egg and some salt and pepper.  

*Optional add-ons: cheese, avocado slices, hollandaise, HoT sAuCe, that's all I've got for you.