The winner of the Roots hummus giveaway is Jordan D.! Email me your shipping info to hummusapien@hotmail.com. Congrats!
In honor of my trip down to Cinci last week to chat with Simple Truth about some fun stuff, I thought I’d share another roundup of yumtastic recipes from the ones I created for them back in December and January!
I actually wanted to steal this sign and hang it in my room, but I didn’t. I have regrets about it.
Before we talk food, I wanted to take a quick second to address a couple comments (both hurtful and positive) that I’ve received recently about being thin and portion sizes. I wanted to clarify that 95% of the time, I do NOT measure portion sizes. That’s not to say that measuring portions is wrong–it’s simply not a technique that I use. While it may work for some, it may not work for others. Eating healthy is extremely individualized, as you all very well know. If we were all the same, life would be boring. I listed some portion examples in my recent Life Lessons: On Packing a Lunch post simply as a helpful guide for you. Oftentimes, I just list the measurements so you can go make the recipe! I was inspired by this recent post from Happy, Healthy Mama and wanted to add my two cents.
No, I don’t use a tablespoon to measure out the almond butter that I slather on my toast.
Yes, I eat chocolate peanut butter dessert hummus directly out of the bowl with a spoon. And I usually consume it in about four servings, rather than the suggested six.
Yes, I measure out 1/4 cup of steel-cut oats or 1/2 cup of old-fashioned oats per serving when I make my big batches of overnight oatmeal so I can easily portion them out and have breakfasts ready to go in the morning.
Some days, I am a human garbage disposal, eating anything and everything in sight. Just ask the girls I babysit! Some days, I eat more like a normal person. Other than oatmeal, I don’t measure portion sizes–and that’s okay. Over the years, I’ve found that my attempt at clean, mostly plant-based lifestyle has allowed me to skip all the portion controlling and calorie counting.
I by no means am trying to paint a picture of perfection here; and I want to sincerely apologize if I have ever portrayed myself that way. I try to be as real as possible on this little space, and the last thing I want is a reader feeling deterred and overwhelmed by my blog rather than inspired. I plan on dedicating my life to helping people like you achieve their maximum healthy potential. If you need a feel-good reminder about balance, check on Life Lessons: On Beer and Kale.
Let me assure you that just as it may be offensive to be called over-weight, it’s also offensive to be called scrawny. Those words are not kind, and they are not productive.
That said, I do eat pretty “healthy” most of the time and I do work out a few times a week.
I eat apples and lentils and chickpeas and quinoa.
I eat pizza and fries and chips and cookies. No, not all the time…but sometimes.
I work hard to stay fit because it’s what I’m passionate about. I wouldn’t look the way I do if I didn’t put the effort in. I’m not lucky and I wasn’t blessed with a rocket speed metabolism. I’m simply dedicated to what I believe in.
Okay, done. Hope that wasn’t too serious for a Friday! Onto the recipes!
Mediterranean Cauliflower Cous Cous Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing
Banana Orange Mango Power Greens Smoothie
Mushroom Walnut Chickpea Burgers
Nutty Cranberry Quinoa Granola
Spinach Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes
Blueberry Coconut Breakfast Shake
Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Quinoa Bites
Broccoli Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
Simply click on the link to be directed to the recipe!
For more recipes, check out my previous Simple Truth posts:
This was so eloquent and perfect. Honestly, you’re such an inspiration! Just keep being you because that’s all you can be.
Awwww you’re too sweet, Ang! Thanks for making my day 🙂
“Eating healthy is extremely individualized”–this is so true. Healthy living blogs can be dangerous for this reason as some people may not realize what works for one person may not work for another. Good thoughts, friend. And you look fabulous!
Thanks, Maryea. Healthy living blogs can definitely be toxic. Everyone is different, and we should celebrate that!
I’m sorry you got negative posts, and I love your blog! I hope that one day (when I finish grad school maybe?) I will start my own blog and yours has been such an inspiration to me to try new recipes and totally accept that the best way (for me at least) to be happy and fit is to eat clean and healthy MOST of the time, and not feel guilty when all I want is cereal for dinner or some french fries. Thank you for such an entertaining and real blog!
Thanks so much, Eliza! You should totally start your own blog 🙂 Your comment made my night!
It is pretty easy to be negative and abusive if you are an anonymous person on the internet. THAT is nothing but despicable. People have NO idea what your back story might be, or what issues any individual person might have…. so ridiculous. I hope you continue to be the most awesome person that you can be!!! Rock on and keep doing a fantastic job writing YOUR blog YOUR way and living YOUR life the way you want! 🙂
That is VERY true. There are some cowardly people out there! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Debbie. You rock!!
Haters gonna hate. Do you girly (yes I sound like a ghetto-fab chick but this was the best way to put it). Only fitting to end the comment with: much love.
Omgd I SWEARRRR I did not see Davida’s comment. haha. I literally just scrolled to the bottom. Weird.
Hahahah so funny and so true! Thanks, Amy 🙂
Haters gon hate. Keep on eating on. But make sure it’s grain-free/paleo/slathered with grass fed lard and excessively high in protein otherwise you’re not the kind of scrawny I approve of.
Your comments killll meeeee. Keep em coming, yo.
Keep up the amazing work and don’t listen to them! It’s so crazy to me…do we have to start apologizing for being thin? Geez!
Amen, sister!! Very well said.
Can’t believe you got harsh comments on such an innocent post! If it means anything at all, I actually loved that post 🙂 Keep it up!
I’m so glad you loved the post! Like other commenters said, haters are gonna hate 🙂 Gotta brush off the negativity!
Ahh, the tofu pudding looks SO good!! I LOVE how versatile tofu can be 🙂
It makes the thickest, creamiest pudding ever! Win.
Awks but I was just going to say that your shoes look like the ones my sister wore for a dress up party as a witch.
Apparently you measure the red pepper flakes one at a time on your meals, and your cauliflower by the florets.
Jokes aside- You do you- I do me- We never apologise. Haters going to hate. Potatoes going to potate. If anything, I think you’re doing the world a favour by consuming so much legumes.
Haha I love Arman’s comments. He is totally hilarious and I agree with what he said. Also, you ain’t scrawny one bit… You are tough as nails and sweet as pie! Don’t mess.
Isn’t he hysterical!?! You would die over all his comments. Diiieeeee.
wait you don’t measure out each chili pepper? CALORIES ARMAN.
I allow three chili peppers per cauli. #wholehummus
I swear they looked better in person….Anyway, I’m totes measuring out each fleck of cumin next time I make soup just for you. #portioncontrol #whole0 #wholehummes #potatoesgoingtopotatoe
Alexis, I love your blog and what you do and I hope you feel confident in posting going forward! I actually shared your lunch packing post in my recommended reading post today because I enjoyed it so much and many of my readers have asked for recommendations (and I have been pointing them your way since Wednesday when you posted that!). I think your recipes are wonderful and it’s no one’s job to judge via the internet. Wishing you the best and looking forward to more amazing recipes! Spinach pesto and tofu pudding look awesome!
Thanks so much, Marisa! That means a lot, and thanks so much for sharing. You’re awesome!
Repeating my comment from Facebook here for all to see! And I agree w/Shay above. What is up with the haters? Rest assured you have never, ever come off as anything but helpful, caring and passionate about what you do. Your excitement is contagious and it helps others (like me) build confidence in the kitchen and look forward to being kind to my body and my self – which, truth be told, has been a long and sometimes painful battle for me. I feel balanced and happy and you have become a big part of my journey. I appreciate the guidelines in your recipes and lunch post ideas (which was my favorite of all time) because I don’t always know how much of something is ballpark recommended. It’s sort of like an equation, right? Any recipe you can add or subtract but it’s a freaking suggestion. It takes a lot to come to a place where you realize your body is your own and you don’t need to try to look like someone else. If you eat generally healthy and move your body, it will respond in kind and find it’s natural weight for you. No one else. I love you and your blog and have endless gratitude for all you do to help, inspire and inform us. Don’t apologize for being your amazing self. You come off as humble, intelligent, funny, thoughtful, etc. Not everyone likes you or your writing style? Good, you don’t like everyone either. They don’t need to read it. They can take their negativity elsewhere. Constructive criticism and feedback is one thing, which you are open to bc you have personally asked me before. This is completely another. I’m obviously fired up over this. Please hire me as your bodyguard and PR rep. We don’t serve any Haterade here. Chin up, sweet friend! ❤️
LOVE YOUUUUU. That’s all I can even say. Maybe cuz it’s 1 in the morning…I’m already thinking about breakfast. I know you understand.
I just want to say that you have been an inspiration to me! You make trying to feed myself healthy food fun rather than a chore. You have opened up a world of ideas, techniques, and combos that I would not have thought of on my own! I consider you my friend on this food journey, and I know I’m not the only one. You keep doing what you’re doing, girl, cuz you rock it!
Shay–you are SO sweet! I read your comment to my mom because it was so darn sweet. You made my night! There is nothing more rewarding than hearing that I’ve inspired you to love cooking. I have warm and fuzzies all over!!
you look adorable first of all 🙂 and just wanted to mention dont worry about those negative comments because honestly, i dont think there is anything wrong with measuring because its so easy to go overboard and on your previous post – you were just suggesting a recommended servings (which obviously America has problem with).
Keep you the good work and TGIF!!!
Awww thanks, Dixya! You’re so sweet! America def has a big problem with serving sizes 🙂
Well, I bummed you got hurtful comments, Alexis. I jus don’t understand that. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that post – I totally didn’t take it any other way than being informative and giving me great ideas. People can be so darn mean and judgmental.
On a positive note, these recipes look fab! I’m getting hungry all over again despite the fact that I just finished lunch. 😉
It’s ok, Holly! Only a couple 🙂 People can be cray cray! Enjoy your bloggy break! I’m very jealous 🙂