Calling this recipe "Spinach & Cheese Pie", because My Husband won't eat QUICHE

Silly, isn't it?  To call my Quiche recipe "Spinach & Cheese Pie"? 

  

My amazing hubby loves pie. 
One of his favorite vegetables is spinach. 
And, who doesn't love cheese?!  BUT.............

Remember this book, published in 1982?

Well, this book is why my dear hubby won't eat quiche!

I am a lover of QUICHE, especially really super delicious scrumptious cheesy goodness.  After researching several recipes, I combined the best ingredients and created this recipe. 

The BEST part is that my recipe is Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free and Low Carb ~

...and it tastes super yummy!

Yep, all of it, including the crust! 

However, if you wish, this can be made crust-less; but why would you want to?

SPINACH, CHEESE AND ONION QUICHE recipe...

aka: Spinach and Cheese PIE

Yield 4 servings (2 pieces per serving)

  

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

5 eggs

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

        *(see note below, regarding shredded cheese)
1 cup onion, diced and sautéed in 1 Tablespoon of butter

1 pkg (10 oz.) frozen spinach, defrosted and drained (liquid squeezed out)

***See also ingredients for Almond Pie Crust in a separate recipe below.

DIRECTIONS:

1.   Preheat oven to 325°F

2.   Make the gluten-free Almond Pie Crust*** 

                    (See separate recipe below for crust)

3.   Sautee diced onion in butter on low heat (approx. 10 minutes)

4.   Add defrosted & drained spinach to onions. Stir and sautee briefly, and set aside

5.   In a bowl, whisk eggs

6.   Add cream, and whisk again

7.   Add salt, pepper and garlic powder, and mix again

8.   Stir in cheeses

9.   Stir in sautéed onion and spinach, blending all ingredients

.

10. Pour mixture into prepared pie pan, over the Almond Pie Crust***

11. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until set (until knife inserted in center comes out clean).

12. Let stand 4 to 5 minute before slicing

13. Slice into 8 wedges (one serving = 2 wedges)

  

*To ensure this is gluten-free, shred your own cheese from cheese blocks. 

Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free; however, there’s a possible risk when buying cheese that is already shredded, because the shredding may have been done in an area shared with foods containing gluten.

May be frozen and reheated.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

***Almond Pie Crust recipe...

This pie crust can be used for most pies, whether savory (like the Quiche) or sweet (like pumpkin or berry, etc).

Healthy PIE CRUST for 12” Pan

Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Sugar-Free Almond Pie Crust

 This works best for a 12" pie pan.

A 10” pan will probably work too, but the crust will be a little thicker, or you can cut back on the ingredients a bit.

 Ingredients

• 2-1/4 cups almond meal or almond flour
• 4-1/2 tablespoons melted butter
• Sweetener:  Amount depends on what type of pie you are baking. 
For sweet pies (fruit, pumpkin, etc), use amount equal to 3 tablespoons sugar (This would be 1-1/2 Tblsp. Truvia Baking Blend). 

For savory pies (quiche, etc), use 1/2 to 1 tsp or less of Truvia Baking Blend.

      ·  Dash of Sea Salt – for savory pies     (Optional)

Preparation

1. Grease bottom of pie pan (I used butter)
2. Line bottom of pan with Parchment Paper
3. Grease bottom (on top of Parchment Paper), and sides of pan
4. Melt the 4-1/2 TBLSP butter in a bowl
5. Add almond flour/meal, sweetener and salt
6. Mix all the ingredients until well blended
7. Put in the pan and pat into place, pushing with your fingers or back of a spoon, to cover the bottom and sides. It should be the right consistency to mold the crust to the pie pan evenly.

 Pour in your favorite filling and bake per instructions for the pie filling.

 

OR, IF filling with no-bake filling: Preheat oven to 350°

Bake the crust for about 10 minutes, until the crust is beginning to brown.

*After 8 minutes, check every minute or so, because once it starts to brown it goes quickly.

ENJOY! 

Please visit us on Facebook in the group "Journey to Healthy Eating and Weight Management" ~

The MAGIC of MOVEMENT

Originally I had planned on writing blog posts often, and in some sort of easy-to-follow order.  However, you can see where that got me – not posting for two months!  Since I have so much information to share, I will try to start posting more often. 

That brings me to today. 

In addition to healthy eating, MOVEMENT is key in maintaining a healthy body.  I’ve become a little lazy in this department lately.  Because of my lack of movement, the pains from arthritis and fibromyalgia have increased, to the point of making action almost unbearable at times. 

It’s that vicious circle I’ve experienced before. 

The less I move, the greater the pain, therefore I become stagnant. 

Conversely, the more I move, the less the pain, therefore I become more active. 

I’m writing about this today, because I need some MOTIVATION.  Can you relate?

Because of my medical issues, my physical movement has been limited, but that does NOT justify limiting it even more.  If you find yourself in this same predicament, discover ways to motivate yourself. 

Here are some things that have helped me in the past……..

©      Create a simple routine that you begin, upon waking, first thing in the morning.  For me, it would be stretching and walking on my treadmill.

©      Know that it’s okay to take baby steps.  Strenuous workouts are not a necessity.  Any movement is better than none at all.

             ©    Intensify your movement by consciously putting more energy 

             into everything you do.  For example, if doing housework or gardening,

             emphasize your body’s movements, while doing your chores.  Put some

             bounce in your step!  Walk with a purpose!  Add some pizazz to your

             moves!

 ©      Place notes around your house, as reminders to help you move your

     body. 

*     Use clever sayings, affirmations or mantras

One of my favorites is: 

“WHAT IS THE BEST USE OF MY TIME RIGHT NOW?”

 

*     Print the notes on colored paper

*     Draw colorful pictures or designs on the notes

*     Do whatever it takes to draw your attention to your reminders

©      If you’ve become a little negligent with your meals, remind yourself to enjoy the nutritious foods.  If it helps, make a list of the ones you like most.  And, when shopping, avoid buying the items that hinder your healthy lifestyle.  If it’s not in the house, you probably won’t miss it.  One of the benefits from eating healthy is increasing your energy level.  That energy will help motivate you to move your body.

©      Throughout the day, find little ways to just simply MOVE, especially if you’ve been sitting for any extended period of time. 

©      Take a minute or two each day to do a little dance.  If you think you don’t have time for it, dance on your way to the bathroom.

©      Remind yourself how much better you feel, when adding movement into your daily life.

©      Throughout the day, do some BALANCING exercises. 

Here’s an easy one:

1.   Stand on you left foot, while raising your right leg with your knee bent. 

        2.   Hold your arms outstretched to the sides. 

        3.   See how long you can balance. 

        4.   Then do it again, standing on your right foot, while raising your left

            leg, etc. 

Every time you do this, focus on holding balance a little longer each time.  You will be surprised at your progress!

©      Focus on good POSTURE.  Doing so will help benefit movement.  I’m not sure why or how it works, but being mindful of my posture helps remind me to move my body.  

*     Be aware of your stance.   Check yourself often.  When you practice correct posture, your body is in alignment with itself. This can alleviate common problems such as back or neck pain, headaches, and fatigue; and will also give you a boost of self-confidence and increased energy.

*     Stand or sit tall.  Imagine there’s a string coming from the top of your head, and it’s pulling you gently up towards the ceiling. Visualization techniques like this one can guide your sense of proper position and height effectively.

*     While walking and standing, keep your head up, shoulders back, chest out, and eyes looking straight ahead.  Avoid pushing your head forward.  Avoid slouching.  Walk as if you had a book balancing on your head.  Visualize this as you walk.  Feel it!

*     Maintain good sitting posture.  As with standing posture, keep your shoulders straight and squared, your head is upright, and your neck, back, and heels are all aligned.  Keep both feet flat on the ground (or on a footrest, if your legs don't reach all the way to the ground).

However, keep in mind that your body was not designed to sit all day.  Take breaks from sitting.  Stand up and stretch, walk around, do a little exercise, or just stand there for a few minutes.  But keep moving!

*     STRETCH randomly throughout the day. 

“HOLD UP THE SKY”!! 

1.   Stand tall, raise your arms straight above your head

2.   Stretch your hands up and reach up with your fingertips 

3.   Then bend your hands back so that your palms are in a flat upward position

4.   NOW push up – HOLD UP THAT SKY!  

*     Chant CORE.  Concentrate CORE. 

            Develop and improve your AB strength. 

1.   Lie on your back, with your legs bent to about 90 degrees at the knee, and your feet flat on the floor.

2.   Lift the middle of your body up, while keeping your feet and your head and shoulders on the ground. 

3.   Very slowly lower your mid-section back down to the floor, beginning with your butt and working your way slowly up your spine toward your shoulders, touching one vertebrae at a time to the floor, until your back is completely flat on the floor. 

4.   Now pull your belly-button towards your spine, holding it at the end.

                                       (You should feel this contraction tightening like it is inwards toward your back.)

5.   Hold for ten seconds.  Repeat up to eight times, if possible. 

    Don’t overdo it. 

Maintain the proper posture.

Breathe normally during this exercise, as you are training your core to be able to maintain this position during normal activities in daily life.

©      BREATHING exercises are helpful. 

1. Take a deep breath, in through your nose, while allowing your tummy

    to push out slightly. 

2. Breathe out through your mouth, while pulling your tummy muscles in. 

        Pull them in tight, so you can feel it. 

        This will help strengthen your core. 

 ©      Don’t dismiss good posture while you’re sleeping.

©      Love your body and love yourself completely

I would enjoy hearing any additional ideas you have for taking action to put more movement into your daily life.  If you'd like to share your thoughts, please post in the comments below.  It would be very much appreciated.

  

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Stay tuned for some yummy healthy recipes to come soon!

 With love and gratitude,

Ginny

CRAVINGS for the CRUNCHIES? Healthy Solutions!!

So you've started making the transition to healthy eating, and you're proud of how well you're doing. 
Then suddenly,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
that "crunchy craving" invades your mind!!!  WHY???

Maybe you discovered that bag of potato chips in the pantry? 

Or possibly it's because you haven't fully transitioned.  Some of the "not-so-healthy-foods" can actually create a craving that makes you want more of the "no no" foods.  It's a vicious cycle.  The more you eat those, the less you are satisfied, therefore you crave more of them. 

To eliminate those cravings, the more nutritious you eat, the less you will desire the unhealthy snacks.  

But, as I believe we should never deprive ourselves, it won't hurt to indulge occasionally (that's "rarely" or "infrequently" - NOT "often"),  with a very limited approach.  I certainly wouldn't advise going out to buy what you're craving, if you don't have it in the house. 

But, if you find there's still a bag of chips right there within your reach, and the urge is taunting you unbearably, go ahead and have one serving ONLY (or less). 

1. Check the nutrition label on the package to find how many chips are in ONE SERVING.  
2. Count out only one serving of the chips. 
3. And put them in a small bowl.....................................................                      The small bowl will give the illusion that you have more chips.
4. Close the bag and put it away. 
5. Eat them slowly and savor each bite.
6. Promise yourself to not buy any more.

However, once your journey to health keeps you on a more consistent path, and as you discover the unlimited alternate nourishing snacks that are available, your cravings for the unhealthy foods will at least lessen, and most likely will disappear.

Before I get to the recipes, there are several healthy products you can purchase off the shelf at your market. 

For example, one item that helps me crunch away hunger between meals is WASA Light Rye Crispbread, made with 100% Whole Grain,

NON-GMO verified. 

These have 30 calories per cracker.  A "serving size" is 2 crackers for 60 calories. 

CONFESSION:  Although these are great for satisfying the "crunch desire", they are rather bland.  I've grown to enjoy them right out of the package, in a pinch. 

However, to make them really yummy, spread 1/2 wedge of Laughing Cow Cheese (Creamy Swiss Light, with 50% less fat) on each cracker. 

That's a 95 calorie snack, if you have just the 2 crackers and 1 wedge of cheese.   

Moving on to homemade snacks..................

Here are some easy recipe ideas to get you started:

Keep in mind that I'm not one to "play by all the rules".  I'm not rigid.  I'm flexible.  This is especially true when it comes to recipes.  Feel free to play around with the recipes.  Not only is it fun, but you may just discover an improved version, or something that suits your taste better. 

The first four recipes are my personal favorites. 

They satisfy me better than any old bag of store-bought potato chips.

This Zucchini Crisp recipe calls for bread crumbs, which is not the healthiest ingredient.  These can be made without the bread crumbs, if desired.

For the Carrot Chips, the recipe shows to "peel carrots into thick slices".  I haven't made these, yet, but I think cutting thinner slices may create a more crunchy chip.

Following are two (very similar) recipes to make your own "Herbes De Provence", if you so desire.  This is one of the ingredients in the above recipe for "Almond Herb Crackers". 

However, this can be found at most grocery stores, if you don't want to make your own.

That was your sneak peek into the world of healthy snacks (similar to potato chips). 
This didn't even scratch the surface of the myriad of choices available.

I will be experimenting with more recipes, and will share with you when I do,
because sharing is caring.


You're probably reading this, because you have another "craving", other than the craving for potato chips and other "naughty" snacks --- and that would be to embark on the road to healthy eating, as I have done.  I hope you'll join me in this journey.

I'm sure you've heard "You are what you eat".  Okay, so maybe I'm not a Broccoli Floret, but you get the idea.  Being healthy on the outside, begins with getting healthy on the inside.

 Just in case you need it, here's a gift from me to you. 
A can of INSPIRATION!   
There's no expiration date.  There's an unlimited amount. 
Tap into it, whenever you need it.  I'm here for you.