{Spaghetti Squash Vegetable Bake}

This new recipe came about because we had squash, vegetables, and chicken, and we needed dinner. Thankfully I discovered a wonderful creation from the end of the week "leftovers" of the cupboard! It was so fun to whip something together and be a bit creative. I am so excited that my little last minute experiment turned out so well.

Spaghetti squash is one of my favorite vegetable staples. I can use it for any meal in almost anyway. I've made spaghetti squash hash-cakes, "spaghetti" and meatballs, and now this bake! As I've mentioned before, I'm going crazy with love for vegetables, so of course I took this opportunity to add as much vegetables as I could. I probably would have added more, but I went a little easy for my not-so-vegetable-loving family :)

Perhaps the greatest achievement of this dish is that my whole family absolutely loved it. Even my papa, who dislikes vegetables ate two helpings! Today for lunch, instead of his favorite taquitos, my dad had some for leftovers! That's like the ultimate compliment when my family gobbles up my creations! :)

This bake is so easy and a true crowd-pleaser for all ages.  Feel free to add in different vegetables. If I had cauliflower, I would have added some "riced" cauliflower for more vegetable goodness. 

May your family fall in love with this vegetable bake as much as mine did! :)

{SPAGHETTI SQUASH VEGETABLE BAKE}

INGREDIENTS:

1 medium spaghetti squash, baked 
1 chicken breast, cooked and chopped to chunks
16 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
6 ounce can tomato paste
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 cup fresh spinach, washed
1/4 cup broccoli, chopped into small florets
1/4 cup carrots, chopped
4 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat the oven to 375 F. Wash and cut the spaghetti squash into two halves. Remove the seeds (save the seeds if you want to roast them later!). Once the oven is ready, bake the squash in the oven, face up for 35-40 minutes, depending on the size of your squash.

Meanwhile, as the squash bakes, prepare the chicken either by baking it in the oven or cooking in a skillet. Prepare the vegetables. 

In a large bowl, combine the vegetables, vegetable broth, tomato paste, tomatoes, basil and cooked chicken. Once the spaghetti squash is done, remove the "spaghetti"  with a fork, placing the strands in the large bowl. Mix it all together, making sure everything is evenly incorporated. 

Place everything in a glass 9x13 baking dish, pressing down and evenly spreading out. Bake at 375 F for 35 minutes. 

Serve and enjoy!

{Zoodles with Homemade Tomato Sauce and Vegetable Meatballs}

Merry Christmas everyone! I know it is a day late, but I got to use my new vegetable spiralizer, so it was Christmas all over again at lunch! I have been saving up my zucchini, secretly hoping I would find the spiralizer under the tree. 

Can I just say, the spiralizer is AWESOME!!! I absolutely love it!! I cannot wait to try it with many different vegetables.  If you don't have one, you should definitely get one. Christmas is only 364 days away.. :)

Anyway, back to my little lunch. One word- DIVINE!! The zoodles were soft to perfect, harking back memories of my pasta days. The fresh basil in the tomato sauce perfectly complimented this Paleo Italian meal. I'm still drooling a bit as I write this. It was so good. I think I may have it for dinner too. And breakfast. And lunch. 

The tomato sauce and vegetable meatballs were really moments of creative genius. I'm usually not that ambitious, just making stuff up  without a framework or some idea of what I am doing, but I saw vegetables and canned tomatoes and went for it!


Since I've been sugar free for about a month, it has been really hard finding tomato sauces without sugar. Even the organic ones have agave syrup! So I decided if I wanted to have something sugar free, I had to make it myself. Homemade pasta sauce is not really that hard, its easy, its sugar free, and it maybe is even less expensive. So If you are looking for a sugar free option for tomato sauce, I suggest making your own.

I have made the vegetable meatballs before for my family over spaghetti squash, but I haven't posted it until now. So sorry! They are truly delicious! 

My inspiration came from a time when I was flipping through our six TV channels (which NEVER happens!) and I saw a cooking show. The chef was teaching a family how to eat gluten free and suggested adding cooked rice to the meat. Of course I thought, instead I can use cauliflower and vegetables and get the same effect with for a Paleo option with more nutrition. 

That was a moment of brilliance, for I get more vegetables (yay!!!) while using less meat at one time. Feel free to add in other vegetables with the carrot and spinach mix, such as kale or zucchini, being sure it grinds well. 

Since only I ate this, I made a single serving. I made the full recipe for the tomato sauce, but only used as much as I desired to coat the zoodles from one zucchini (which was just 1/4 of the whole tomato sauce recipe).  For the meatballs, I only used about 5 carrots, a small handful of spinach, and a spoonful or two of riced cauliflower with just under a 1/8 pound of ground turkey. 

I hope you enjoy this new favorite as much as I do! May your cravings fro pasta be satisfied by this healthier delicious dish!

 INGREDIENTS:

4  Zucchini, spiraled using a spiralizer, or julienne peeler
1 head of broccoli, chopped into florets

For the Homemade Tomato Sauce-

28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
6 ounce can of tomato paste
1 clove garlic, pressed
3 leaves of fresh basil, washed and chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste

For the Vegetable Meatballs-
 
1/2 cup spinach
15 baby carrots
1/2 cup riced cauliflower
1 pound ground turkey meat 
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

INSTRUCTIONS:

Begin by preparing the Homemade Tomato Sauce, placing the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste in a  nonstick skillet. Then, add the garlic and herbs. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat, allowing it to simmer. Set aside. 

For the meatballs, using a food processor, grind the carrots and spinach into pieces. In a bowl, combine the turkey, ground carrots and spinach, cauliflower, and oregano. Then, form into meatballs. Place the meatballs in another skillet until thoroughly cooked through. 

While the meatballs cook, prepare the zucchini and broccoli. Then, add the broccoli to the simmering tomato sauce and cover to steam the broccoli. Next, when the meatballs are almost done, add the zucchini to the pan with the tomato sauce, and cover the pan to breifly soften the zucchini.

After one minute, remove the cover from the pan with the tomato sauce and zucchini and add the meatballs. Mix thoughoughly, adding more salt and pepper if desired. 

Serve and enjoy!

The How-To's: Cauliflower Rice

 I decided to begin a series of "how-to's" to explain the best way for making certain staples in my diet. So join me as I go back to basics and share what I cook up in the kitchen on a regular basis!

I began with my latest favorite, cauliflower rice. This amazing version of the vegetable is great to have on hand throughout the week. I usually make a large batch at the beginning of the week so that I can have it on hand.

I like to add riced cauliflower to many meals to add an extra dose of vegetables and nutrients. Riced cauliflower is simple to make, and when made right, makes a world of difference!

Cauliflower rice can take on almost any variation. Some of my favorites are lettuce wraps with cilantro-lime cauliflower rice and guacamole. Another recent is a tuna salad topped with guacamole and cauliflower rice. Last night, I made vegetable meatballs, and added the extra cauliflower rice I had on hand.

{A Step-by-Step Guide to Make Cauliflower Rice}

Begin by washing the cauliflower and preheating the oven to 400 F. Chop into florets and place evenly on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until softened.

 Next, using the grater attachment of the food processor, "rice" the cauliflower. This is somewhat tedious, putting in all the baked florets, but well worth the effort.

 

After the cauliflower is riced, use immediately, or store to use for later. 
Voila! Your cauliflower is properly riced!!

 

Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice and Guacamole

{Vegetable Sweet Potato Tuna Casserole}

I am really loving my vegetables. I have never felt so good or so healthy in my entire life! It's amazing what eating real and nutritious food can do! I've been on a Whole 30-type diet (no sugar except that little bit in the ketchup I sometimes eat) in attempt to make it a lifestyle,  and I can honestly say, I DON'T LIKE SUGAR ANY MORE! Even fruits, I'm not desperately craving! I am so much more content with my vegetables, and actually crave them. Call me crazy, but honestly, I have never loved vegetables so much as I do now!

Seriously, I saw an autoimmune Paleo dessert idea on Pinterest and thought "I like my vegetables more." I don't know if that's beyond weird, but I challenge you to find your inner love for vegetables. Don't feel like you have to go on a vegetable craze like me, or even crave them, but just see what adding more vegetables and wholesome, grown-in-the-ground ingredients can do!

 That said, I attempted a cozy casserole last night because it was stormy. I wanted soup, but we had no vegetable broth, so casserole it was. 

And can I say it was a delicious decision! I ate it all, no shame. It hit the spot on a stormy winter night! I'm definitely adding this to my list of favorites. It has my vegetables- I think next time I'll add more :)

I only used a 1/2 can of tuna because only I ate it, but feel free to multiply ingredients to the desired serving amount. I hope you enjoy this creation as much as I do!

{VEGETABLE SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE}

Ingredients:

1/4 cup light coconut milk
1 teaspoon coconut flour
1 teaspoon dried rosemary or 1/2 Tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 Tablespoon chicken broth

2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 of a 6 ounce can of tuna
1/4 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
1/4 cup "riced" cauliflower 
3/4 cup grated sweet potato
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a pot, whisk together the coconut milk and coconut flour and bring it to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and then add the lemon juice, chicken broth, and rosemary. 

In a bowl, combine the tuna, broccoli, cauliflower, and sweet potato. Pour the coconut milk sauce over and stir until thoroughly incorporated. 

Place in a baking dish (I used two ramekins) and bake at 375 for approximately 25 minutes (depending on the size of you baking dish and casserole).

Remove and serve!

*If you're not a tuna lover, feel free to substitute it with salmon, chicken, turkey, or whatever you want. And feel free to experiment with different vegetables- next time, I' going to try some kale with it :)



 

 
 

{A Rooted N' Sprouting Thanksgiving}

For the first time in my entire life, we had Thanksgiving at home. Also for the first time in my life, I GOT TO COOK!! It was so much fun! 

Of course, I planned everything out to the minute of when to prepare each dish and put it in the oven. I was cooking like a well-oiled machine. Everything was cooked, prepared, and of course photographed by the anticipated time. 
 

And can I say, it was a success. My brother and dad were both drooling, anticipating the deliciousness to come. 

This is what happens when you combine a growing teenage boy with a comfort-foodie, Thanksgiving maniac dad, a content and happy-I'm-not-cooking mom, and an AIP conundrum. That basically sums up our Thanksgiving smorgasbord, complete with gluten free and AIP delights. I tried to convince my dad to try a vegetable and Sydney-approved stuffing, but he wouldn't have it. Again, can I say comfort-foodie?!? I had to compromise a little bit, but I got all the vegetables and AIP goodness I wanted :)

The day turned out really well. For never ever having a family Thanksgiving, or much less having me do all the cooking, things came out great. Here's a peek at what we enjoyed:

{Our Menu}

Rosemary Turkey
Mashed Potatoes (for the family, with real milk and butter)
Gluten Free Stuffing (homemade, with a little help from Rudi's)
Turnip-Parsnip Mash from Against All Grain
Vegetable Casserole (recipe below)
Gluten Free Apple Crisp
AIP Apple Tartlet (1/8 Autumn Apple Pie recipe)

THE TURKEY

Mashed Potatoes for the boys

Parsnip-Turnip Mash

Gluten Free Stuffing

Gluten Free Stuffing

 

Vegetable Casserole

That was dinner. And then came the dessert, a small apple tartlet for me, and a gluten-free apple crisp topped with homemade whipped cream for the rest of the family.

My tartlet

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Everything was so delicious and everyone ate a little bit of everything. But my favorite part was the nostalgia of reflecting of what we are thankful for. My brother, of course was thankful for surfing and good food. But we all agreed that we are thankful for God's faithfulness, His provision, and His continued blessing in our lives.  Life is good, and, quoting my dad, its nice to pause in the middle of the rat-race of life and be thankful for the good life we do enjoy. 

This day was perfect, with pleasant company, delicious food, and plenty to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! :)

{VEGETABLE CASSEROLE}

INGREDIENTS:

For the vegetables-

1 medium spaghetti squash, baked and scraped

1/2 cauliflower, cut into little florets

2 cups butternut squash, chopped into 1/2 inch cubes

2 zucchini, chopped

2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper to taste

For the creamy cauliflower sauce-

1/2 cauliflower, chopped into florets

1/2 cup of the cauliflower water

4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the cauliflower sauce-

1. Boil 1/2 cup of water with the cauliflower  for 10-15 minutes. Drain the water, reserving 1/2 cup.

2. In a food processor, pulse the steamed cauliflower, 1/2 cup water, garlic, pepper and salt until a creamy consitency is reached.

3. Set aside. 

For the cassarole-

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large baking dish, bake the butternut squash, cauliflower, and zucchini for 30-35 minutes. Then reduce temperature to 325 F.

2. As the other vegetables are baking, grease a 9"x13" glass baking dish, then line the bottom with the spaghetti squash. 

3. After the other vegetables are done roasting, place on top of the spaghetti squash. Lather the cauliflower sauce over the top, smoothing it evenly across the vegetables. 

4. Sprinkle the rosemary on top, then place in the oven for 15 minutes.

5. Remove and let it set for at least 10 minutes, the serve.

 

{Spaghetti Squash Hash-cakes}

Like previously, I've been on a vegetable craze. Seriously, I've never eaten so many vegetables in my life, but I LOVE it and I feel great! 

Breakfast can be a challenge to find exciting ways to eat vegetables. I mean, green smoothies can get old after awhile.. But these spaghetti squash hash-cakes are the perfect vegetable breakfast!

I called these hash-cakes, because they have the texture of hash browns, but are like pancakes. So, voila, hash-cakes :)

 

Infused with the taste of rosemary, these hash-cakes easily please. Even though I bake an entire spaghetti squash, I only use one cup of spaghetti squash per serving. This recipe is great to use if you buy a large spaghetti squash and don't want to use all of it for another recipe, for example "spaghetti" and meatball. 

I serve mine with a little bit of ketchup drizzled over the top. If you're not following an AIP diet, these hash-cakes would go wonderfully with some scrambled eggs, or even a fried egg in the middle of the hash-cakes. However you decide to enjoy these, I hope these hash-cakes leave you satisfied and energized!

{SPAGHETTI SQUASH HASH-CAKES}

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash
2 teaspoons coconut flour
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
pepper to taste 
coconut oil 

Instructions:

Bake a spaghetti squash at 375 for 40 minutes. When it is done baking, using a fork,

To make one serving of hash-cakes, combine a cup of spaghetti squash with coconut flour and herbs. In a skillet greased with coconut oil, take about 1/4 cup of the spaghetti squash, put it in the pan and smash together until it sticks. Repeat until all the spaghetti squash is cooking in the pan. Cook for about 7 minutes, or until lightly crisped, then flip the hash-cakes and finish cooking for about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and enjoy!

**If you want to make more than one serving, just increase the amount still using the  1 cup of spaghetti squash to coconut flour/herbs ratio.

**If your spaghetti squash is extra runny and doesn't stick together very well, add more coconut flour. Coconut flour is a drier flour, and easily soaks up extra moisture :)

{Perfectly Pumpkin Bagels}

I am so excited to finally have a bagel recipe!!!!! Really, jumping-up-and-down excited!!!!

Bagels optimize my inner struggle with my complicated food lifestyle. For 99% of the time, I truly enjoy my diet and love making new creations loaded with vegetables and good healthy nutirents. But sometimes I just want a warm, chewy, scrumptious bagel, lathered in rich cream cheese. I can dream, can't I?

I even wrote a college essay on my "bagels" in life and in running- the time where it is tempting to give up and go for the easier and more temporarily satisfying decision instead of doing what is right for me and my training. Learning to say no to bagels. Sounds like a good book title.

Until now, every time I tried to create a bagel-type of bread, they came out mushy, doughy bites that tasted like flaxseed meal. Not the bagel I had dreamed of.

But now I can say- no,  shout YES to bagels. The secret? A little bit of tapioca starch for the  classic bagel chewiness, chia seed meal for the "egg" (I've found make chia meal "eggs" actually work better than the classic flaxseed meal egg in my baking experiments), and coconut milk for extra moisture. 

 

 

I ate mine with a little bit of Trader Joe's delicious pumpkin butter. Although I didn't try it, I thought of making a little bit of coconut whipped cream, sprinkling some cinnamon and some pumpkin butter in it to make pumpkin "cream cheese" to put on top. 

 

 I hope that you enjoy these lovely creations as much as I do!  

 

  {PERFECTLY PUMPKIN BAGELS}

Ingredients:

1.5 Tablespoons chia meal (chia seeds ground in a coffee grinder)
3 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons coconut milk

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup tapioca starch
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (*omit for AIP)
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder (* make sure it is corn-free. Or better yet, make your own)


Instructions:

1.  Add chia seed meal, pumpkin puree, water, apple cider vinegar,xanthan gum, and coconut milk in an electric blender. In order, add coconut oil, then flours and spices, then baking soda and baking powder, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat until a dough-like mass begins to form.

2. Forming the dough into large balls, depending on how large you want them. I made mini bagels forming balls of dough about the size of two tablespoons. To make larger bagels, I'd suggest forming dough the size of your fist. Poke a hole in the middle of the dough ball and shape to form a bagel using dry hands. Place the bagels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, depending on size of bagels. I made mini bagels, and cooked them for 15 minutes. Allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!




Variation Ideas:

 *I will be making a few of these shortly and posting them. That said, these are just my ideas, so they haven't been proven yet. But feel free to experiment- it's fun!!!

For all recipe variation ideas, omit pumpkin puree and either replace with unsweetened applesauce or 3 Tablespoons more of coconut milk

Cinnamon Raisin- add 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/2 teaspoon more of cinnamon
Cranberry Orange- add 1/4 cup of dried cranberries (or Trader Joe's orange cranberries) with 1/2   teaspoon of orange zest
Chocolate-zucchini- Add 1/4 cup of shredded zucchini and 2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
Chocolate chip-  add 1/4 cup of EnjoyLife mini   chocolate chips
Apple-cinnamon- increase cinnamon, add 1/4 chopped apples. 

{Lemon Herb Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing}

 As I finish out the cross country season, I've been focusing even more on getting an ample amount of vegetables in my diet. Maybe even more than ample amount. Lately, I have lived and breathed vegetables. 

This new energy for a vegetable-infused diet has sparked some more creativity, some that I hope to share with you all in the coming weeks! I've experimented some vegetable casseroles, green smoothies, and now that the weather has finally turned a tad bit cooler, I've tried my hand at soup-making. 

But so far, this salad is my new favorite of all my creations. The honey dressing is sweet with just enough spicy kick from the red pepper flakes.* I apologize for my lack of photos- I made the salad right after my cross country meet, so I was ravenous and not very picky about the amount of photos. Blame my appetite :)

I hope you enjoy this refreshingly delicious salad as much as I do. May you find a new passion for vegetables :)

{LEMON HERB CHICKEN SALAD WITH HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING}

 Serves 2

For the vegetables:


Wash and chop one head of romaine or red leaf lettuce. Add a handful of washed spinach and kale to the bowl, then set aside.

For the chicken:

1 four ounce chicken breast
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon basil
ground pepper


Slice one four ounce breast of chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat coconut oil in a pan and cook the chicken. Season with rosemary, basil, and ground pepper after about five minutes and stir. Finally, add a squeeze of lemon juice over the sizzling chicken.

For the dressing:

3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar* 
2 Tablespoons spicy brown mustard, or Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey 
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Whisk ingredients together, then set aside. 



Assembling  the salad:

Combine the green leaf lettuce, kale and spinach until thoroughly mixed. Sprinkle chicken pieces on top, and finally drizzle a bit of the salad dressing on top (don't worry that there is enough dressing leftover for later salads). Finally, toss the salad. Enjoy!


*For those strictly following the AIP diet, omit the red pepper flakes. 

**As with anything used in the Paleo and AIP kitchen, always make sure you check the ingredients. Some white wine vinegars are derived from corn sources. The one I used comes from grapes, so it is safe. 

{Chicken Nuggets}

Chicken nuggets are a childhood staple. I remember having my DinoBuddies lathered in ketchup, enjoying them with our neighborhood friends during our picnic lunches before we'd resume playing outside for hours.  There is something nostalgic and fun about chicken nuggets. I don't know how to explain it, but I think everyone can agree chicken nuggets are special. 

Ever since I've been on this health journey, I've had to let go of many old favorites. But I've continually craved chicken nuggets. So finally today I set out to make them. 

And my, were they a success! These are so much better than processed chicken nuggets- why did I never have these as a child?!? Crispy, brown, and perfect, these definetly satisfied my craving!

I guarentee every child- and adult- will fall in love with these chicken nuggets. If you're looking for trip down memory lane with your taste buds, I encourage you to make these. You won't regret it :)
 

{Chicken Nuggets}

2 4ounce chicken breasts
3 teaspoons coconut flour
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
 coconut oil

Instructions:

Pound the chicken to desired thickness. Then cut into bite-sized chunks. Heat some coconut oil in a skillet for frying. 

Meanwhile, mix the coconut flour and spices together in a small bowl. When it is thoroughly mixed, spread the mixture thinly and evenly on a paper plate.

Take the pieces of chicken and dip both sides in the coconut flour mixture. Place the chicken pieces in the skillet and cook until browned on one side. Then flip the chicken and cook thoroughly. Repeat, adding oil as necessary, until all the chicken is cooked. 

Serve with ketchup, mustard, or however you desire. Enjoy :)

Mt. SAC Invitational 2013

Last night I returned from my last meet at the Mt. SAC Invitational with my high school team. I'll be honest, I was a little sad before my race, knowing this would be my last. The beginning of the season of lasts is beginning, and is leaving a little nostalgic. I'm excited and ready to grow up, but the change is a hard process. But just because its hard doesn't mean it's not good. 

 I have to say that this was BY FAR my favorite time at Mt. SAC. Our varsity boys got 9th place out of 35 teams, and five out the the seven of the them broke 19:00. There are no words to describe my pride and happiness! I was jumping down and high-fiving all around, but that wasn't enough to express my joy! :)

Our girls did amazing too! For many of the girls, this was their first time running the course. For those of you who don't know, Mt. SAC is a nationally acclaimed course, known for its difficulty. One of the hills is named "Poop Out." Not to encouraging of a thing to approach when you're halfway done with the race... :)

But, that said, our girls sure proved their determination and perseverance, with PR's across the board. Julia, a freshman who seriously has so much potential, finished in 4th place in her race, even with being sick and having a hurt knee. Again,  I am so proud! I can't wait to come back and visit the team next year and see much more of a beast she is!

This year's Mt. SAC was so much of a blessing, and then on top of it, I PR'd by 30 seconds from last year. I was so pleased, surprised, and relieved. I finished in 3rd place. I'm not quite sure what my time is. My coach clocked it at 19:58, I clocked it at 20:01 (after hitting my watch in after-race delirium), but the official results say 20:03. I'm going to say I unofficially broke 20:00, but I'm just so happy I improved so much!

I really focused on my "dead zone," the point of the race where I loose focus for a bit and get too much inside of my head. At Mt. SAC, this usually happens just after the 2 mile, when the course goes behind the last hill, where it levels out and the course veers from the crowds. I know that I lose time in my "dead zones" so I really focused on continuing my pace and picking off people from the previous race. Then I charged up Reservoir hill, encouraged by my teammates to kick to the finish. I gave everything, crossing the finish line filled with satisfaction knowing that this last race was the perfect closure to four years of memories and growth as a runner.

The day before the race while we ran the course for practice, I was remembering my first time there as a freshman, looking at Switchbacks (the first hills) with such awe and terror, thinking I would never survive. Then to my sophomore year, where Mt. SAC was my first race back from injury, fueled by frustration and a readiness to finally run. Then last year, where I surpiringly came in fourth place and finished ten seconds behind my rival. So many great memories. I'm so glad that this year was the last Mt. SAC, because it was by far the best in so many ways.

Across the board, my team did so well, and as I said previously, I cannot express my pride and joy.  I had so much fun, and left knowing that I gave my all in the race. I reached all my  goals, with the most important one to keep my focus on Christ.

And then we finished the day with our cross country team tradition- going to Disneyland for mickey's Halloween Party. What is better than shorter lines, free candy, and hanging out with the team?! I had so much fun, laughing until my stomach ached, smiling until my cheeks hurt, and just plain being ridiculous and enjoying it.

Mt. SAC forever will have a special place in my heart, not because of the times I've placed, the PR's made, or victories achieved, but simply because it represents the fond memories of every cross country team I've been blessed to be a part of. Mt. SAC will forever be a nostalgic memory, a constant reminder of accomplishments, frustrations, and pure joy. I will forever be thankful for the time that I have had with all my teams, and I am so excited to finish out this season strong.

//Philippians 3:14//

Fresh Herb Pesto Pizza with Lemon Chicken

I honestly miss my days of pizza. Not because I want to be like every other teenager in America, but I sincerely miss our days of make your own pizza. It was such a memorable family occasion, watching my dad make the dough from scratch, designing random shapes with the pizza dough, slathering on way too much cheese and making cheese pockets in the crust, then peeking into the oven every few minutes to watch our creations bake.
  I have now resurrected those days of make your own pizza. It is a little different now because there is no cheese, no yeasted crust, and no chewy crust. But I can honestly say I'll choose this pizza any day over the traditional American pizza, because not only is it way healthier, but I know that my body will benefit from my enjoyment of it. How many people can say that about their pizza?

This yummy, yummy pizza was super easy to make and even more delicious! The lemony twist combined with the freshness of the herbs was a wonderful combination. I thoroughly enjoyed my night of "make your own pizza." I hope you enjoy yours :)

{FRESH HERB PESTO PIZZA WITH LEMON CHICKEN}

INGREDIENTS:

For the crust-

1 cauliflower, chopped into florets
1 clove of garlic, minced


For the chicken-
1 boneless chicken breast, chopped into chunks
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
hint of lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste


For the pesto- 
2 cups fresh basil
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon


INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F
2. Place the chopped cauliflower and garlic into a food processor and grind into a rice-like texture. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, form the cauliflower into a "dough" about a 1/2 inch thick, careful to press it together so that it sticks together and holds. Place in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and still fairly moist.
 3. Meanwhile, begin cooking the chicken either on a nonstick skillet or skillet lighhtly greased with coconut oil. Once it starts to brown, add the spices and lemon juice. Remove from heat when it is fully cooked.
 4. As the chicken is cooking, begin making the pesto. Place basil, coconut, olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest into  food processor and pulse until it reaches a semi-fine consistency. 
5. Once the cauliflower crust is done, remove from heat and cool for about...
6. Layer the crust with pesto and then sprinkle on the chicken. If you want, feel free to add vegetables, other meats, or whatever you want. It's make your own pizza night!
Enjoy!