Kinda sorta.. No not really.. In no way, shape, or form.
I love food. I'm a fanatic of some sorts. But I have a love/hate relationship with the good foods. And by that I mean anything healthy or green. I love me some processed, fried, smothered in saucy goodness food. My perfect meal would be a humongous hamburger with avocado and bacon and bleu cheese crumbles sided with onion rings, french fries, or cheese sticks (preferably all three). I know what you're thinking oh so that's why she still looks 6 months pregnant! But as of late.. and when I mean late I mean like the past year... I have been trying to spruce up my eating habits with healthier flavors and equal parts deliciousness.
Plus my husband eats like a fresh of the boat Polish man, which means, he readily enjoys big juicy steaks with potatoes and one bite of vegetables (and that's because I hover over him like the momma I am and say Now you eat your veggies, young man!). Talk about an artery clogger if there ever were. And Ava has refused baby food completely as she is no dummy and knows that what's on Momma's plate is way more scrumptious then her lasagna medely pureed into gross mush (I am NOT a fan of baby food as I find it has the texture and consistancy of cat food).
I cannot stand food blogs. The authors make everything seem so easy and effortless and it indeed is not. Plus, like most families on a budget, I cannot always afford ingredients that are grown 2 days out of the year, on the highest summit of Mnt. Kilimanjaro, and are needed to be choppered in to your local Whole Foods (which let me tell you is NOT local in San Diego). I do like food centered shows like "The Chew" mostly because I think Daphne Oz eats healthier than her dad and I want her refigerator. This is how I learned about kale. Yes, its true. I did not know kale existed until I heard about it on "The Chew" (Is "The Chew" even suppose to be in quotes? I digress...).
So I have come here to share a few recipes that I (and husband) find delicious, isn't stripped of all taste, and is in some way is healthy for you.
Let's start with Italian Sausage Soup. Now this is the exact soup they serve at Olive Garden. I kid you not. I started making this soup one day and I thought to myself, This soup looks strangely familiar... All I have changed to it is add kale because let's face it... its a super food. And my mom adds avocado to it which is also a super food in my opinion. (Some people say that one is able to live off avocado alone if need be. I am in awe of the avocado. That's why Ava reguarly eats it. Plus, it's delicious. Not to the husband though. Since it's not native to his homeland, he thinks it's scary and won't touch it.)
Needed is:
Italian sausage (take the casing off and throw the ground saugage into a pan)
Potatoes (cubed into bite size pieces)
Onion
Chicken stalk (like 3 boxes)
Half and Half (the small carton)
Spinach (I use the frozen 10oz package although I'm sure fresh spinach, chopped up would suffice)
Kale (if you'd like)
While you brown the meat and onion, cook the potatoes in the chicken stalk until soft. It's best if you use a Dutch Oven. Drain the meat and add it to the soup. Then cook a bit longer until you add the half and half and spinach. I wilt in a bite of kale and viola!
Ok, Ok. I know plating and presentation is everything when displaying fabulous meals. But I had a crying baby at my feet while taking this picture and that's that. You best believe Ava and I ate this very plate!
