Roasted Parsnip Fries

We're really getting fancy with our fry selection. French fries, sweet potato fries, and now parsnip fries. I have to admit I've been so curious as to why so many recipes for parsnip fries are popping up all over Pinterest.

Yesterday, I was in the produce aisle of the grocery store and I wanted to try something new. And then I saw parsnips. So, I bought a few and the next day they were washed, sliced, and thrown in the oven ready to become part of the fry sensation.

After 30 minutes, I was hooked! Parsnip fries are totally delicious. Dipped in a little bit of ketchup, they make the perfect pair to any meal. Plus, they're way healthier than your run of the mill french fries. Go ahead, try for yourself!


Roasted Parsnip Fries

Ingredients:
3 large parsnips
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp minced garlic

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Wash and lightly peel parsnips. Slice into thin strips.
3. In a bowl, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
4. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
5. Spread the fries out onto the baking sheet and place in the oven until golden brown (~25-30 minutes).

Serves 4

A [Quick] Weekend in Paradise

Sand. Sunshine. Mojitos. Paradise.

This is how I spent my weekend...and it was absolutely perfect. Throughout the past few years, I have spent a lot of time in Los Angeles. Since starting the dietetic internship and moving to Portland I haven't visited in a while so, I was extremely excited to make my return to the land where summer never ends.

This trip made me realize something about myself - I don't like to stay in the same place for a long time. I like to travel and explore new places, things, and people. It's so fun to soak in other cultures, experiences, and cuisines. It keeps things interesting and exciting. It stimulates the mind! Even short trips like this get my mind refreshed and excited to keep traveling and even get back to the swing of things in internship land.

My first day in Southern California was spent in Catalina Island. As soon as you step off the ferry, you really feel like you're in another country. So quaint, so peaceful, so perfect.

I parked myself on the beach for the day and I am proud to say the mojitos started flowing at 10:30 am. A vacation isn't a vacation without a good mojito. After hours of pure bliss and sunbathing, the beau and I rented a kayak and paddled our way around the island. Sunshine and warm weather is certainly a huge motivator for me to be active. Incredible views like these don't hurt either (look for yourself ---->).

After working up an appetite, we splurged on a fancy Italian dinner which was heaven on a plate. We started off with some fried calamari followed by linguini and clams + chicken parmesan. We continued to walk around town stopping in cute little boutiques until it was time to take the last possible ferry back to LA.

The next (and sadly final day) was spent on Santa Monica beach. I made it my job to get as much vitamin D as possible... and a tan. Santa Monica promenade is possibly one of the most lively places I've ever seen. Every few steps, you find yourself stopping to witness the talented musicians and street performers.

Later that night, I met up with some old friends at Mike & Anne's, a great restaurant in South Pasadena with outdoor seating in a courtyard trimmed with white lights. We shared a bunch of appetizers including a pomegranate salad, brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, and olives. Our waitress joked at our dietitian-like dinner choices. It's funny when you haven't seen someone in almost a year and yet it feels like no time has passed at all. This night was filled with a lot of laughs and later some fro yo.

I couldn't have had a better time or have been surrounded by better people. The message of this story is to stay curious, see new places, and live a little. Sometimes putting yourself out there and breathing in the fresh air is just as nourishing for the mind and body as feeding it well.

Cinnamon Vanilla Overnight Oats

Overnight oats have been a real life saver for both me and my stomach. Prepping meals for the day ahead is not a strong suit of mine. A great deal of effort goes into packing a yogurt cup, granola bar, and banana. So, since overnight oats have been discovered they have made their way onto my menu on nearly a daily basis. They're quick, delicious, and very satisfying - and so they shall stay on my makeshift menu. As someone who prefers to snack throughout the day, some days are busier than others and snacks don't always fit in between meals. Oatmeal is my best bet on these hectic days due to their high fiber content which keeps my belly full until I can fill it again.

Ingredients:

1/2 c oats

3/4 c milk (low fat, soy, almond, etc)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp maple syrup 

1 tbsp chia seeds

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a jar overnight. Heat in the morning. Eat!

5 Tips for Being Positively Productive

I don't know about you, but sometimes I let procrastination get the best of me. When there's so much to explore on a sunny day, which we've been lucky to have so many here in Portland, it's easy to put everything on the back burner. This often leads to trouble - late nights, cram sessions, and just too much to do in so little time. So, my friends at Kabbage, a company that empowers small businesses (and blogs) to follow their dreams by providing funds to grow big and strong, inspired me to compile a list of some of my essential tips for being your most productive self!

#1 Write it down
Grab a piece of paper, a planner, or white board (whatever you're most likely to look at) u'd create a list of the tasks at hand. Whether it's to write a paper, do laundry, go for a run, or attend a meeting, having it all written down in ink will help you visualize how to schedule your time.

#2 Prioritize
Now that you have your handy dandy list, consider what's most urgent. Can the laundry wait? Is the paper due at midnight? I usually like to stick with whatever's due first.

#3 Brain Food
Being productive can be exhausting. Or, you may just get hungry out of boredom. Having something healthy to munch on will help you fight through mental blocks. My favorite productivity snack is a handful of raw cashews with dark chocolate chunks.  yum.  Oh, and a cup of coffee or tea will do wonders!

#4 The Perfect Playlist
Put in your headphones and pick a playlist on spotify - Chill, Focus, Intense Studying (whatever floats your boat).  This will help set the mood for a productive day.

#5 Minimize Distractions (aka put the cellphone away!)
Yeah, those text messages are just flooding in, but you won't get very far when your honey is trying to say hey. So do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Every hour take a 15 minute break and use this time to check in with friends.


{Brain Food Recipe} Bite Size Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Cookies


For entrepreneurs looking for some more productivity tips, check out Kabbage's website and blog!




[Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post.]

Apple + Granola Breakfast Cookies

Do you ever skip breakfast just because there isn't enough time to prepare a meal on top of getting ready in the morning, making the next bus, or maybe just due to a bad hair day? If this describes you (& frizz gets to the best of us), meet your new best friend...

These apple + granola breakfast cookies will provide you with the fuel you need to get the day running with your best foot forward. They are packed with fiber to keep you fuller longer and are easy to grab and go when on the run. They're not only perfect for the working woman/man, but they are also super easy to pack in a kid's lunchbox for a healthy snack. Give them a try! I promise you won't be disappointed.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond meal
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 medium apple, finely chopped
1/2 cup granola
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking pan with nonstick spray or oil.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, oats, and apple sauce. Mix.
3. Mix in the egg and butter.
4. Add the apple, granola, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir.
5. Place 2" balls of dough onto the baking pan. Place in the oven for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes ~ 15 cookies

5 Minute Black Bean + Salsa Tacos

Hello everybody! SO sorry to have been away from my blog for so long. Good news is you'll be seeing a lot more recipes popping up on Noms McGee from now on. Like this one... Black Bean & Salsa Tacos!

So,  part of the reason why I haven't been making too many recipes is because I started this thing called grad school which consumes most of my life. But, it has provided me with inspiration to create healthy meals in minutes.... yes, minutes! As a grad student, I come home hungry, or hangry is probably a better word. The only thing on my mind riding the bus home is what can I whip up that will feed me asap! Well, this recipe did just the trick and now it is has become a weeknight staple. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients:
6 corn tortillas
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 can tomato paste
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup prepared salsa
1 small avocado

Directions:
1. Warm tortillas in a pan for 2 minutes on each side.
2. In a bowl, mash the drained beans and mix with tomato paste.
3. Spoon black bean mash onto center of tortillas. (approximately 2 tbsp)
4. Top each tortilla with a tablespoon of salsa, yogurt, and avocado.

Enjoy!



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Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Squash is such a cozy food isn't it? Now that we've entered November nothing sounds better than coming home from a long day of work and filling my belly with something warm. Well, one day this little delicate squash was sitting on my kitchen counter just waiting for me to throw it in the oven. In just 15 minutes, I had a delicious side and I was oh so cozy. I paired this recipe with kale and walnuts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Maple Roasted Delicata Squash

Ingredients:
1 delicata squash
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Wash squash and slice in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Slice each half into 1-inch segments. Mix squash, oil, syrup, cinnamon, salt and pepper in a bowl then scatter onto a baking sheet. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Top with raisins or dried cranberries.