I miss my Swedish Fish...

During this time of year, testing season for my fellow teachers, I rely heavily on a mass consumption of Swedish Fish candy.

There is something magical inside of them that calm me like an addict getting their fix when they have been detoxing.  Its not good.  I recognize that they are VERY poor food choice for me.  Even though they are a fat free food....

I work primarily with struggling learners.  That is my job.  To take the children who are not learning in the traditional environment and tailor an educational plan that is different for them than their peers.  It is a challenging job and one that I love very much.  I wish that differentiation was a thing in the 80's-90's.  I probably wouldn't have hated school so much.  But the pressure of getting those kids to find success on a standardized test is daunting.  I leave it all on the field/court/classroom every day.  To help in my survival I usually have a 5 lbs. bag of Swedish fish to keep me company all spring long (really I have to buy a new bag every week).

This is my first spring without my beloved fish and I am struggling to maintain a semblance of stability.  How do we let food have such a strong strangling, suffocating, consuming hold on us?

Jennifer and I were talking and I think it boils down to this.  Food is a legal and necessary drug for survival.  It can give you highs, lows, and false sense of security.  However, you must consume food to be able to survive.  Ultimately, not choosing good nutritious food will kill you.

It is a constant battle to make good food decisions.  Surgery did not cure the mental aspect of the disease of obesity.  This week I have been reminded that I might not be showing the physical signs of my disease any longer but in no way am I in remission.

Finding Healthy Foods

My basket from 2 weeks ago

I discovered this hidden little Co-Op through a fellow teacher and now I have developed a full on addiction.  It is called Bountiful Baskets.  I needed a way to get awesome produce at a very reasonable price.  Often times I skipped out on the fresh produce when I doing my usual grocery shopping because I was afraid the food would go bad before I ate it.  The price wasn't helpful either when I could buy frozen or canned for what I felt was cheaper.  Not the case anymore.  I participate in the Bountiful Basket co-op every other week.  With my one basket I am able to cook a dinner 6 nights a week (we eat out once a week) with a fresh vegetable, have healthy fruit and vegetable snacks for me and the family.

Here is how it works...check out the website linked above to find your contribution day and site location nearest you.  They have them all over the US so hopefully you can find one near you.  Purchase your basket using a safe and secure online purchase.  Conventional baskets (not guaranteed organic) are $15 before tax, and the Organic baskets are $25.  You will then receive an email.  Print it or bring your phone to pick up at designated time.  If you can volunteer that is great!  Come early at the volunteer time and help load the baskets with all the wonderful fresh foods.  Bring something to take your basket home in as you will not be given a basket to transport your goodies back home in.

The rule at Mrs. G's house is if it is in the basket then it must be eaten.  So through this little adventure in food I have tried all kinds of different recipes and foods.  The boys (hubby included) and I are now enjoying eating fresh foods as opposed to overly processed garbage!

Mrs G.'s Granola

Here is what you will need:
4 cup old fashioned oats
2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
6 tablespoons warm honey
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups dried tropical fruit mix
1/2 hemp hearts

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Lightly spray a metal pan with cooking spray.  Pour granola mix into pan and bake for 15 minutes at 400.  Stir mixture every 5 minutes.

This will make 30 servings of 1/4 cup granola.  The total cost of all ingredients used is around $10 and makes enough to fill the entire canister that the old fashioned oats come in.  I save the container and use it to store my granola!  Buying this much granola would cost twice as much.  With preparing it myself I saved money and was able to add the protein of the hemp hearts to make the snack about 100 calories and 2 grams of crunchy protein.  Not a bad treat!

Homemade Fro-Yo

This is a great protein treat for when you have a hankerin' for somethin' sweet!  I love homemade frozen yogurt.  It is an easy way to control what is going into the dessert you are eating.
Here is what you will need:

• half a bag of frozen whole no sugar added red raspberries
• a splash of Torani sugar free raspberry syrup (thank you Walmart for now carrying this fine products)
• 1 cup vanilla greek yogurt
• 2 small bananas
• 2 cups 2% milk

My mom and dad bought me a Hamilton Beach ice cream maker at Bed, Bath, and Beyond soon after surgery.  I like this appliance about as much as I like my washing machine...can't imagine my life without it!

I combine all ingredients in my blender and then pour it into my ice cream maker.  It takes about 30 minutes for it to freeze up really well.  I have made all kinds of different flavors.  Stay tuned for other frozen treat ideas.  This one has about 8 grams of protein                                              and 100 calories for a 1 cup serving.  Enjoy!