Thanksgiving Part 1

In the USA, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. The first Thanksgiving in the USA was a feast in 1621 shared by the Pilgrims (who had recently settled Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts) and the Wampanoag Indians, who shared their corn, squash, and wild turkeys. This first feast was not repeated until over a decade later. Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln (my favorite president)

No matter what your circumstances are I'm sure we have something or somethings to be thankful for. I have so much to be thankful for this season because this year turned out to be my very best year yet. Anyway what are you cooking for Thanksgiving? Please feel free to send me pictures of your Thanksgiving table, I will be doing a post-Thanksgiving blog post and will love to showcase all your lovely pictures.

This year we are going African. Stay tuned for pictures in the next blog. Here are my 3 favorite routines for keeping the pounds away during this season:

1. Exercise: This will be easy for those who already exercise regularly. Exercising first thing in the morning keeps me aware of whatever I put in my mouth throughout the day.

2. Divide and conquer: My Thanksgiving plate is always half filled with veggies and salads, I actually consciously eat a big plate of salad fist before I eat anything else, it keeps me full and whatever I eat next is usually a smaller portion.

3. Don't drink your calories: My favorite drink is water, ask anyone who knows me. Stay away from the sodas and alcohol. If you want something sweet try a raw or vegan dessert or a fruit and yogurt combo with some nuts or if you have enough self-control go for the dessert but drink a lot of water before you get a slice.

RAW MANGO PIE

Crust:

* 2 cups raw almonds (or walnuts or pecans)

* 1 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut

* 1/2 cup pitted dates

In a food processor, process the nuts and coconut together until the lumps are gone. Do not over process. Add the dates and process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs that stick together. Press into a pie plate.

Filling:

* 2 fresh mangos, peeled and cut up

* 1/2 cup dried mangos, (cut into pieces with scissors), soak 10 minutes and drain sliced kiwifruit, raspberries or blueberries (optional)

In a blender, process the fresh and soaked dried mangoes until smooth pudding consistency. Pour into the crust and decorate with kiwifruit, raspberries or blueberries if you wish.

Here's a little something that cracked me up:

 A BLESSING FOR YOU THIS SEASON

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

ALWAYS STRIVE TO BE HAPPY

REMEMBER TO EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!

ALMOST THANKSGIVING!

I haven't blogged for a little while but you must know I have been super busy. As usual I always have more than one project  going on at the same time. Recently I've been busy with the 3G MOMS. Have I told you about the 3G MOMS? Well, you're in for a treat so why spoil it now?


I have been doing my hair, yup, I do my own braids and I'm getting better with practice. See? My daughter calls them Rock N' Roll Twists, others call it City Twists. It is a very trendy hairdo that people pay $300 to have done at an exclusive location here in Atlanta, BUT I HAVE BEEN STUDYING IT FOR MONTHS AND FINALLY CRACKED THE CODE! So I am mighty proud of myself :)

Now let's talk about food. My little Wonder aka Nina and I have been experimenting on breakfast smoothies all week and came up with some pretty delicious stuff.  Even my 14 month old son loves it, when he hears the blender he runs to the kitchen screaming "Banana, banana!" it is the cutest thing I ever heard :)

"Mommy, this is the best and most fun part of my morning!" 

Our Raspberry Explode:

3 ripe bananas
2 cups of Soy milk (vanilla-flavored) *You can also use Almond milk if you want*
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp Lacuma powder
5-6 frozen raspberries *You may use your favorite frozen fruit*

Directions:

Blend the first four ingredients until smooth and then pour about 3/4 of it into a glass. Next, add the frozen raspberries and blend until smooth. Pour the rest of the smoothie from the blender into the glass. Be creative with your designs and let the kids do theirs, they come up with the best designs and ideas. This is a great way to enjoy a healthy breakfast. Have fun!


Our Meatless Meatballs:

I was in the mood for some meatballs today and remembered I had some meatless meatballs in the fridge. I also had some cabbage which I'd blanched, squeezed and then stored in the freezer. This was my lunch. The pictures above show just the meatballs before I added my cabbage. Hope you like it if you do try it.

Ingredients:

1.5 large yellow onions, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cm fresh ginger root, minced
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1/4 tsp onion powder and garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 dried oregano
2-3 Tbsp curry (I love curry)
3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 vegan vegetable bouillons (or salt to taste)
9oz Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs (You can find this in the organic section of your local grocery store)

Directions:

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the onions, fresh garlic and fresh ginger. Once the onions become lightly translucent add the rest of the ingredients except the meatballs. Let cook for about 3 minutes covered and then add your meatballs. Cook for another 5 minutes on low heat. (If you decide to add spinach or cabbage, add about 2 cups of either at the same time you add your meatless meatballs and let cook together). Serve with pasta or eat as is. I enjoyed mine very much. Next time I will add some pepper to kick it up a notch. I like spicy food :)


Hope you're preparing for THANKSGIVING. What are you cooking this year?  In my house we always have an International-style Thanksgiving and this year will be no different. I will be making a large pot of eru (my favorite traditional meal from Cameroon)...thinking about it makes me smile already :):):)


EAT AND DRINK TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU'LL THANK ME LATER!