Fried “Chicken”

I have this “nugget” button hanging on the back of my backpack; it’s been there for years!

I know I’ve mentioned before that I don’t eat meat, in fact, I follow a mostly vegan diet, but I try not to be “preachy” about it.

Would I like it if everyone stopped eating meat? Of course! But I’m not the veggie police and so if people choose to eat meat, that’s their business.

But as a non-meat eater, I’m always looking for clever recipes to banish food boredom. I mean, there are only so many salads a girl can eat!

I found this recipe for fried “chicken” years ago. I don’t remember where I got it from, but I copied it from somewhere and I use it pretty often. I even use it when I have company and my carnivore friends have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Serve it with a side of baked beans, some corn, and a pan of cornbread for a summer BBQ style dinner, or make a big batch and slice it up on top of your salad for a quick lunch or quick weekday dinner.

Enjoy!

Fried “Chicken”

1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 cups of white flour
¼ cup of nutritional yeast
3 tablespoons of yellow mustard
½ cup of water
2 tablespoons of baking powder
3 ½ cups of vegetable oil
1 pound of fake chicken (I like Morningstar Farms or Gardein)

1. Mix together the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, flour and yeast in a big bowl.
2. In a separate bowl mix the mustard with the water.
3. Add 1/3 cup of the flour to the mustard mix and stir.
4. Combine the baking powder and the spice mix from step one with the remainder of the flour and mix.
5. Dip chunks of the “chicken” into the mustard batter, then drop into the flour and spice mixture to coat.
6. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry until crispy and golden brown, turning as needed.

Want a little kick with your “chicken?” Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the mustard and water mix. That’s some kickin “chicken” there!

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Still haven’t gotten your FREE health consultation? Get in now before spring and summer! Email me at karen@thecaringcoachingcenter.com to get in on the action. Or visit my website, www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com. My mission is to be your partner in helping you reach your health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. Don’t wait – email me today!

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on www.amazon.com.

Mexican “Beef” and Beans

I love Mexican food! I never met a guacamole I didn’t like, and I’ve been known to eat my body weight in rice and beans!

My friends and I from my last job always hit up this great Mexican place in Philly for lunch, and I’ve been fortunate to find another fabulous Mexican restaurant here at the beach.

Since money is tight, I don’t go out to eat very much. Also, I find that since I don’t eat meat, my choices can be a little limited when I dine out.

Over the weekend, I was really in the mood for Mexican food. After a quick trip to the grocery store, and just a few short minutes in the kitchen, I whipped up this amazing dish.

I hope you’ll try it, and I hope you enjoy it! If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought.

Mexican “Beef” and Beans

1 package of veggie crumbles (I use the Gardein version)
1 small white or yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1 can of light kidney beans, drained and rinsed (you can also use dark kidneys, or even black beans)
2 cups of brown rice
2 teaspoons of olive oil
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Topping choices – Guacamole, sour cream, tortilla chips, (optional)

1. In a large skillet heat the olive oil. Cook the garlic and onions for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
2. Add the veggie crumbles and cook per the package directions.
3. Add in the kidney beans and about a half a cup of water and cook until beans are heated through.
4. Add a little splash of hot sauce (if desired).
5. Cook brown rice (I usually just toss mine in the microwave; follow the package directions).
6. Assemble dish by putting a layer of brown rice on the bottom. Top with the “beef” and bean mixture and top with topping of your choice. As you can see, I used a whopping serving of guacamole.

In all, the dish took me less than 10 minutes to make! The recipe yielded enough for almost a week of meals and I switched up the toppings throughout the week to make it a little different each time.

There you have it!

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Are you a busy professional? Stressed out? No time to cook? No time to exercise? No time to take care of yourself or your family? STOP…I can help! Email me today at karen@thecaringcoachingcenter.com for your free health consultation. I work with busy professionals who are trying to take care of themselves and their families. I change people’s lives by introducing them to little changes that yield BIG results. Don’t delay, reach out today!

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on www.amazon.com.

Strawberry Mango Crisp

Sunday is Valentine’s Day. I don’t normally celebrate, but this year, I’ll be hanging out with a group of friends on Saturday night.

We’ll be together celebrating friendship, fellowship, and of course – FOOD!

I wanted to bring a fresh, healthy dessert to the party; one that had tons of flavor, and was colorful and fun to share. I could have gone the chocolate-covered-strawberry route (I mean, who doesn’t love those) but I decided I needed to elevate my V-Day dessert game.

Behold! Strawberry mango crisp. This colorful, fun, and VEGAN dessert is easy to make, easy to transport, and enjoyed by all. Serve warm with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream, or mango sorbet (to keep it vegan).

Enjoy!

Strawberry Mango Crisp

For the fruit mix:

1 quart of strawberries cut in quarters
2 cups of diced mango
¼ cup of sugar
¼ cup of flour

For the topping:

1 cup of flour
½ cup of rolled oats
1 cup of brown sugar
½ cup (or one stick) of margarine

– Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
– Mix the ingredients for the fruit mix together in a large bowl
– Spread fruit mix evenly in a 2-quart casserole dish and set aside
– Mix the dry ingredients for the topping together in a medium bowl.
– Cut in the margarine until the dry mix resembles small peas.
– Spread dry mix evenly over fruit mix.
– Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it bubbles
– Serve with ice cream, mango or coconut sorbet, non-dairy ice cream, or whipped cream

Here’s sending lots of love to all of you on Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re single, dating, married, or, “it’s complicated,” take the time to show some love to all the people in your life.

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Want more recipes like this? Head on over to my website, www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com, and sign up for my monthly newsletter. While you’re there, click on the recipe tab as well and see what’s there.

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on www.amazon.com.

Winter Brussels Sprout Salad

Have you signed up yet for my monthly newsletter? If not, stop reading (go ahead, I’ll wait) and hop on over to www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com to sign up. If you do it now, you’ll be in time to receive my February and March newsletters. March is all about the health benefits of green vegetables, of which Brussels sprouts get a pretty nice shout out.

So in the spirit of green vegetables, I’m sharing with you a really wonderful, healthy, and easy recipe for a winter salad that boasts Brussels sprouts as its star.

Wonder where Brussels sprouts get their unique name? There’s no mystery here. People in Belgium have loved Brussels sprouts since the 16th century, so much so that these healthy little veggies now bear the name of the place that loved them so!

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these healthy superstars; they’re in season from fall through late winter. Brussels sprouts have tons of cholesterol-busting soluble fiber and have been shown to reduce cancer risk.

This recipe makes a great starter to a festive meal, or a side dish alongside pork or chicken (if you’re a meat eater). It can be served hot, or cold, which makes it easier to serve leftovers (should you have any). Have some picky eaters that turn their noses up to Brussels? This recipe calls for the sprouts to be halved, which makes them easier to eat and less daunting to look out. Plus, the sprouts in this recipe have a little sweetness from the agave and cranberries, and some earthiness from the walnuts, which combines perfectly with the sprouts.

Winter Brussels Sprouts Salad

1 ½ pounds of Brussels sprouts
1 cup of water
½ cup of chopped walnuts
2 teaspoons of olive oil (for cooking)
1 clove of garlic, minced
¼ cup of chopped dried cranberries
1 tablespoon of agave nectar
1 tablespoon of olive oil (for dressing)

1. Add 2 teaspoons of oil to a large pan. Add Brussels sprouts and cook 5 minutes, or until browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2. Stir in cranberries, agave, and water. Partially cover pot. Simmer 5 – 7 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated and sprouts are tender.
3. Put sprouts in serving bowl and toss with the tablespoon of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Top with chopped walnuts and serve.

Enjoy!

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Are you ready to make 2016 Your Best Year Yet!?
If you haven’t picked up your copy of my book, take a trip in cyberspace to www.amazon.com and grab your copy today!

Curried Cauliflower Soup

Christmas is on Friday, and the weather forecast here at the beach says it is going to be 70 degrees. Forget milk and cookies for Santa – I’m leaving him iced tea and bean chips!

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am so not complaining about the warm weather. I have been thoroughly enjoying this mild winter. I do however look forward to a cold and blustery day when I can stay home and make a big pot of soup.

I could live off soup and salad (with a side of crusty bread, of course). Soup is so hearty and versatile. I like cooking up a big batch to share with friends, or, making a big batch, eating it for days on end, and then freezing the rest to enjoy at a later time.

This recipe is a favorite of mine. Not only are the flavors rich and hearty, but it contains one of my all-time favorite anti-inflammatory ingredients – turmeric.

This is a fabulous, healthy, vegan recipe that hits just the right spot on a cold, blustery day.

Enjoy!

Curried Cauliflower Soup

1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic
5 cups of vegetable broth
1 can of coconut milk
2 tablespoons of Thai curry paste
1 teaspoon of cumin
½ teaspoon of turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread cauliflower, onion, and garlic in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

2. While the vegetables are in the oven, bring the vegetable broth, curry paste, cumin, and turmeric to a boil in a large pot.

3. Remove the vegetables from the oven and add them to the pot. Reduce the heat, add salt and pepper to taste, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

4. You can leave the soup chunky, or, use a handheld blender to blend it smooth. Me? I like it part chunky and part blended.

Serve with a side salad and some crusty bread for a perfect cold-weather day!

If you make this recipe, drop me a comment and let me know what you thought of it.

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Haven’t gotten your FREE health consultation yet? C’mon, you know you want to! Hop on over to http://www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com for all the information or to schedule your free consultation. Phone, FaceTime, and Skype sessions are available!

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on http://www.amazon.com.

Creamy Quinoa

If you’re looking for a gluten free, vegan, hearty, healthy, and delicious hot breakfast, look no further!

This fabulous recipe that will warm your belly on those chilly fall mornings.

I love that the recipe is so versatile. Add in peaches, blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Bananas and cinnamon one day, pumpkin puree the next! This recipe can be customized to meet your tastes.

Creamy Quinoa
1 cup of quinoa – make sure you rinse it really well
2 cups of water
1 cup coconut milk, or milk of your choice
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of ground cardamom
Dash of salt
1 ½ cups blueberries, peaches, strawberries, or other fruit of your choice

1. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes.
3. Stir in milk, spices, and fruit; warm through.
4. Top with brown sugar, chopped pecans or walnuts, or hemp seeds, if desired.

That’s it! Quick, easy, and delicious!

If you make this recipe at home, leave a comment and let me know what you put in to make it your own.

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out!

Karen

Did you get your copy of Your Best Year Yet! October is all about cooking, so get your copy TODAY at http://www.amazon.com.

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on http://www.amazon.com.

Rosemary Citrus Foot Smoother

Happy September Everybody! I hope you had a wonderful summer! I know I did; but after lots of barefoot walks on the beach, running, and wearing cute sandals, I’m not sure my feet enjoyed the summer season as much as the rest of me did!

Since I’ve started seriously training again for another marathon, and after working long hours on my feet, I’ve started to notice how achy my feet are at the end of the day. This rosemary and citrus foot smoother will not only help your feet look and feel smooth, it also helps tired feet feel great.

If you find your feet are sore at the end of the day, you might try this smoother to ease foot pain, but don’t use it too soon to bedtime; citrus scents are normally used to invigorate and energize, so the scents in this smoother might actually keep you awake!

Rosemary and Citrus Foot Smoother

½ cup of sea salt
2 ounces of a carrier oil such as almond or grapeseed oil
10 drops of grapefruit essential oil
8 drops of lemon essential oil
6 drops of lime essential oil
10 drops of rosemary essential oil
1 spring of rosemary, chopped finely

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Soak feet in warm water for 10 minutes to soften skin.
3. Rub rosemary mixture onto feet.
4. Wrap feet in plastic wrap and then cover feet with a towel.
5. Leave on for 15 minutes.
6. Rinse with warm water.

There you have it! I hope your tootsies enjoy!

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out!

Karen

Karen Ann Kennedy’s commitment to wellness and service is at the heart of her life and career. As a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a decorated United States Army veteran, and a longtime Human Resources Director, it is only natural that Karen would launch The Caring Coaching Center, to support others in reaching their health, fitness, and lifestyle goals. As the company’s President, CEO, and “Coach in Chief,” Karen provides individual, group, and corporate health and wellness coaching that is flexible, fun, and free of denial. As Karen likes to say: “Little changes. BIG results!”

Thanks to her studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition school, Karen is well versed in the importance of nutrition and healthy living. Karen also has extensive experience in compassionately coaching and counseling others through her work in human resources and volunteer management, having worked in this industry for over 20 years.

Karen shares her knowledge and passion for healthy living as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post. Known for her bright smile, boundless energy, and approachability, Karen is an in-demand speaker who has presented training programs for many prestigious organizations and schools in the Philadelphia area, including The National Constitution Center, The Urban League of Philadelphia, Constitution High School, Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, City Year of Greater Philadelphia, and the Upper Darby School District.

Karen is also a decorated veteran of the United States Army, serving her country for eight years including a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, and now residing in Ocean City, New Jersey, Karen offers Caring Coaching to clients nationwide. In addition to coaching, she loves cooking, marathon running, and writing her blog, Carrots Don’t Scream When You Boil Them.

Karen is also the author of Your Best Year Yet! 365 Days of Little Changes that Add Up to Big Results! Available on www.amazon.com.

Lavender Sugar Scrub

According to the calendar, summer is almost here, although in some parts of the world, folks are already enjoying outdoor, summer activities.

Although you may be enjoying endless days of fun in the sun, there’s a chance that your skin may not be enjoying it quite as much as you are.

Summer sun, ocean water, sunscreen, and chlorine, may be parching your skin, causing it to crave a little more TLC than usual.

After a day of fun in the sun (slathered responsibly with sunscreen, of course) pamper your skin with this quick and easy lavender sugar scrub.

Recipe
1 cup of dark brown sugar
1 cup of turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw is a good one)
10 drops of lavender essential oil
¾ of a cup of safflower oil
Mix all ingredients and store in a tightly-sealed glass jar.

To Use
Jump in the shower and give your body a good rinse. Apply sugar mixture to wet skin rubbing it into skin in a soft, circular motion. Be careful with those sensitive bits like your nipples, and don’t use the scrub on your face.

Once you’ve applied the sugar scrub, let it sit for a minute or two, then rinse thoroughly. Be careful exiting the shower; sometimes the oil in the scrub can make things more slippery than usual. After towel-drying, apply a light lotion (stick with the lavender theme to help relax you for a good night’s sleep) and slip into some light airy PJs.

Want something other than a lavender scent? Swap out the lavender oil for a citrus oil like lemon, lime, or grapefruit for a scrub that energizes you in the morning.

Want something a little more subtle? Swap out the lavender for vanilla oil, or use a mix of half vanilla, half lavender for a lovely, light scent.

As always, read your oil labels carefully to be sure you are using them correctly, and stick to really pure, natural oils like Aura Cacia or GoDesana.

Once you’ve mixed your sugar scrub, store it in a cool, dry place. Use it within three weeks to maximize its freshness.

Pampering your skin can be a pleasurable experience, but it can also be serious business, which is why I want to take this time to remind you to please practice sun-safety this summer.

Don’t skimp on the sunscreen, avoid the sun during peak hours, cover your skin with light, breathable fabrics, and don’t forget the hat or visor!

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out.

Karen

Want more recipes and healthy living tips like these? Come on over to www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com and check out what’s on the site. While you’re there, sign up for my monthly newsletter.

Follow me on Twitter @caringcoaching, check me out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecaringcoachingcenter, or follow me on The Huffington Post at www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-ann-kennedy

Moroccan Chickpeas and Turnips

I love chickpeas! If you guys have been following my blog for some time, you might have heard me say this before. Chickpeas are one of my all-time favorite things because they are so versatile, hearty, and healthy. You can add them to soups, salads, or stews; mash them up to create the base for a healthy veggie burger; and of course, let’s not forget, chickpeas are the base for my favorite food on the planet – HUMMUS!

Chickpeas lend themselves to Indian and Mediterranean cooking as well; as they do here in this amazing recipe. This is a flavorful vegan recipe that makes a great main dish or a lovely side dish to fish, lamb, or beef, if you are in fact a meat-eater.
Here you go:

Moroccan Chickpeas and Turnips

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small yellow onion, sliced thin
2 carrots, sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 pound turnips, peeled and cut into cubes
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp black pepper
½ cup chopped cilantro
1 cup cooked brown rice or couscous

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add tomato paste, turnips, salt, cumin, and cayenne, and stir well.
3. Add chickpeas and broth.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Lower heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 – 20 minutes
6. Stir in black pepper and cilantro
7. Serve hot over rice or couscous

There you have it! A super easy, super healthy, vegan dish that will sure to warm you up on a cold night.

Like this recipe? Want more like it? Sign up for my newsletter @ www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well. And until next time – veg in, don’t veg out!

Karen

Pasta with Chickpeas and Olives

Pasta with Chickpeas and Olives

Welcome back! Well, we are just about two weeks into the New Year; how is everyone doing with those New Year’s resolutions? I hope that you’ve been able to keep at least some of them, and that you feeling a sense of accomplishment for doing so.

I know that for many of my health coaching clients, weight loss and healthy eating are at the top of their New Year’s resolution lists. I encourage these particular clients to try getting in the kitchen and cooking their own food.

Not only can it be a joy to eat food that you have prepared on your own, when cooking for yourself, you are able to control the ingredients and prepare food that has in it only what you want it to have.

I know many of you are busy and don’t have time to labor in the kitchen. Most of my clients are busy professionals who don’t have time to put a gourmet meal on the table every night.

That’s what I love about this recipe – it’s all done in one skillet! It also has two of my favorite ingredients; chickpeas and olives! It’s a wonderful vegetarian recipe (vegan if you omit the grated cheese), serves four nicely, and reheats well, so if you live alone like I do, you can eat off this dish for about a week.

Check it out:

Pasta with Chickpeas and Olives

1 box of pasta – look for a pasta with “grooves” that will pick up the sauce nicely, such as small shells, orecchiette, or rigatoni
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup Kalamata olives
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 cups water
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced – or 2 tablespoons minced garlic from a jar
1 sprig of fresh rosemary – or 1 tablespoon of dried, if you have it on hand
3 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 bag arugula
½ cup grated Parmigiano cheese (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine pasta, chickpeas, olives, tomato paste, garlic, rosemary, oil, pepper flakes, and water in a large skillet. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats the pasta; about 15 minutes.

2. Remove skillet from heat, discard rosemary (if using fresh) and stir in cheese (if using). Add more water, a few tablespoons at a time, to thin the sauce if needed. Divide pasta and arugula among bowls and serve immediately.

There you have it! A quick, delicious dinner in only 15 – 20 minutes (give or take a few for prep time).

Like this recipe? Tell me about it in the comments below. Want more recipes like this? Be sure to follow my blog, and check me out online. http://www.thecaringcoachingcenter.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thecaringcoachingcenter, or on Twitter @caringcoaching.

Take care of yourself, be nice to yourself, and be well; and until next time – veg in, don’t veg out!

Karen