two noble aspirations, pt. 1

This week, I'm aspiring to begin two new things (that will hopefully last *at least* the rest of this week):
+ cooking/eating healthy* foods
+ cleaning one room per day

*"healthy" definition:
- less sugar
- less processed foods
- less carbs
- more fruits and veggies
- eat out less

does NOT mean:
- organic foods... 'tis for the birds, in my humble opinion
- no sugar... a girl's gotta have something to look forward to in life!
- any crazy cleansing methods... ya.

So... anyhoo.  I've hemmed and hawed for awhile now (i.e. my whole marital existence) how I hate cooking/meal planning.  But, while in Alabama, certain factors (via life and new-made friends) helped me embrace my role as cook.  I may not love it, but I can try and love it, instead of loving hating it.  Am I making sense?  I better roll up my sleeves and get movin', I decided.

Trav's a crazy-work-horse here in Kansas.  I am not finding enough desire time to get to the gym. Therefore, I'm trying to make yummy, healthy, well-proportioned meals.  It's actually not as a bad as it seemed... Here are two recipes I've enjoyed lately.  Both fell within my criteria (ingredients I regularly have around the house and fit within my budget).

Green Smoothie:

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+ 1 banana
+ 1 (or 2, or 3) handful[s] of fresh spinach
+ a dash of milk
+ a handful of ice
+ 1 T of flax seed meal (since I have no clue as to what this even IS... I omitted this)

grind it up - and enjoy.  The banana flavor totally cancels the spinach... making it delish.  And healthy.  Spinach is the POWER veggie!


Smoked Turkey and Artichoke Panini:

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This sandwich was ... uhh.... DIVINE.  Unfortunately, I didn't have any artichoke hearts on hand, so I improvised, but I can't wait to try it again.  I also just used sandwich bread, as that's all I had, but it worked.  The secret ingredient was her Garlic-Herb mayo.  Yummers.  To add a bit of crunch, I added slivered Granny-Smith apples... trust me.  So.Good.  We sided this with Tomato soup.  A spinach salad is a good alternative.

Here's the recipe.  In fact, if you're ever in a quandry on what to make for any occasion, one of my favorite cooking sites is this one: Our Best Bites.

Alrighty.  I wrote a lot.  Tomorrow I'll expand more on my second noble aspiration...
Go, ye, therefore, and cook!