guilt free recipes to start out 2013

guilt free recipes to start out 2013

In 2013 I am making a real effort to get healthy.  Last year I chose simple eating over healthy eating and it is time to stop!

For New Years we went to a friends house with a few others and had an amazing family style dinner.  I was tasked with bringing the sides and was really happy with how they turned out.  I made “Healthy Mashed Potatoes” and “Lemon Rosemary Asparagus”.

With the Mashed Potatoes – I substituted whole/dairy milk with Almond Milk (I used So Delicious) and butter with soy free/ dairy free butter (I used Earth Balance).  They turned out really great and no one could tell the difference without the bad fats.

healthy non-dairy mashed potatoes

HEALTHY MASHED POTATOES RECIPE

  • INGREDIENTS
  • 10 lbs of yellow potatoes (you could use yukon)
  • 4-5 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 of an onion (I used yellow)
  • Almond Milk to taste (this is to smooth it out)
  • Dairy Free Butter to taste – I used about 6 spoonfulls for 10 lbs of potatoes.
  • Salt to taste (I used Pink Himalayan Salt – You can read about why it is healthier here)
  • Pepper to taste
  • DIRECTIONS
  • Wash and peal the potatoes – cut the potatoes in quarters and add to boiling salted water
  • Add minced garlic and chopped onion to potatoes in the water
  • Once the potatoes are soft, drain from the water and add to serving dish
  • Mash your potatoes and add milk to get the consistency you like
  • Add butter, salt and pepper to taste

 

Next was the Lemon Rosemary Asparagus.  This was so light and fresh and I think everyone really liked it!

lemon rosemary asparagus

LEMON ROSEMARY ASPARAGUS RECIPE:

  • INGREDIENTS
  • 2 Bunches of Asparagus
  • 1 Lemon
  • A few bunches of Rosemary
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt (I again used the Pink Kimalayan)
  • Pepper (I used the larger crushed pepper to add texture)

 

  • DIRECTIONS
  • Turn oven on 400 degrees
  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper
  • Wash and prepare asparagus (see more on this below) – line out on wax paper
  • Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste
  • Thinly cut lemon and lay on top of asparagus
  • Add rosemary to asparagus
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes and then carefully flip asparagus over.  Bake for an additional 8-10 minutes and serve immediately.

 

Ok – finally my trick to perfect asparagus.  If you bend a stalk of asparagus, it has a breaking point.  It will break right at the point of where it starts getting tough.  Perfect Asparagus every time!

breaking asparagus

Mandi Heilig - Dry Ink Designs

 

 

time to make that list

time to make that list

Yep, here we are in the final day of 2012.  I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year has flown by!

I love a new year.  A fresh start.   A great time to make some changes for the better, the healthier, the happier.

To help get you started, use this free printable for planning your resolutions list!

Print

Best of luck sticking to those resolutions! And HAPPY NEY YEAR!

Heather Johnson - The Creative Stack

sunny slide up’s top 12 for 2012

sunny slide up’s top 12 for 2012

All of us here at Sunny Slide Up have had a great year!  We hope you are enjoying all of the creative ideas, recipes, crafts and glimpses into our lives.    As we wind down 2012 and look forward to 2013, we have gathered a recap of Sunny Slide Up’s Top 12 for 2012!

1. chicken pot pie cupcakes

Mini chicken Pot Pie Cupcakes

2. 50 awesome workout songs

50 Awesome Workout Songs

50 Awesome Workout Songs – Warm Up, Workout and Cool Down

 

3. creative anniversary gifts

anniversary gift custom art

 

4. coupon queen

coupons - save money on groceries - couponing tips

5. house savvy

money savvy living room

6. the day my mom and i had the talk

baby

7. feed the fish

feed the fish - giving

8. the perfect tree

choosing the perfect tree

9. get back to love

get back to love

10. funny dog costumes

Funny Dog Costumes Halloween 2012

11. choosing the right color

Crayons_Color Meanings

12. a girl can dream

dream vacations

We are already looking ahead, be sure to check our our Pinterest board for January!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mandi Heilig - Dry Ink Designs