Grow All You Can Eat In 3 Square Feet ~ DK Canada Book Review ~ Mother's Day Gift Idea

With the beautiful weather we have been getting the last couple weeks I have been busy out in the yard. I have trimmed up the vines that enclose the patio, trimmed the trees and cleaned the flower bed. I am also in the midst of cleaning out the kids HUGE sandbox to turn it into a vegetable garden. It is a hand made box that is 4 feet by 4 feet. It will be great!

Does your Mother have a green thumb? Do you enjoy to garden? Maybe you are just starting out like myself (I have done a lil garden but nothing big as of yet). Here is a fabulous book that everyone should get if you are thinking of gardening but only have a small space. You can grow tons of things in 3 square feet with this book.

Book Summary:

Want to grow your own vegetables and food, but don't have enough space for a garden? Don't let lack of space get in the way of growing healthy, organic foods at home. Apartment dwellers, schoolteachers, and anyone else who wants to grow a lot of food in a little space will find a great small garden resource in Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet.

Small-space gardeners, find your start in Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet, packed with information on window boxes, potted plants, patio gardening, raised beds, small square-foot gardening, container gardening, and everything else related to growing your own small garden. Whether you want to grow a full garden, grow tomatoes, grow an herb garden, or just pick up great tips for small gardens, Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet is the resource you need.

Review:

This is a great book for anyone looking to garden in small spaces or even for the beginner gardener like myself. It breaks down so much I didn't know or even thought of. Some of the things I have learned are when to plant certain veggies, flowers, fruits, how far apart to plant them, if they need a small pot or big, how to make a homemade trellis, which grows best in shady or sunny spots, which to grow for what season. This book is a huge resource for any gardener. Learn about planting an herb garden and also a huge section on Plant know-how which includes common pests and disease. I have learned so much with this book and I am so excited to have my own garden this summer! I highly recommend this book to everyone! The book is laid out nicely that it isn't crowed or too busy with beautiful pictures of plants etc.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Cauliflower Pizza Crust ~ Gluten Free

I love pizza! One of my favorite go to quick and easy meals. I used to make the homemade kind right from making my own crust in the stand mixer and then adding tons of tasty toppings. Then my son wouldn't eat the pizza if it was homemade and I really didn't feel like spending all that time making the crust etc if he wasn't going to eat it. He said it was the sauce... hmm. Anyways now that I am working on eating less starchy carbs I have been on the hunt for anything that is tasty, clean, and easy to make. This recipe fits all those. There are many cauliflower crust recipes all over the internet and it really is very versatile. You just play around with the ingredients for the crust and toppings of your choice. I know I will be making different ones and will share if you would like. Let me know in the comments below.

Here is the pizza I made just recently.

Ingredients:

medium to large head of cauliflower
3 large eggs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp taco seasoning
1 tsp Parmesan & herbs seasoning by Club House

Toppings
lean ground turkey - 1/2 lb
pizza sauce
onions
yellow pepper
mushrooms
spinach
old cheddar cheese

You will need cheese cloth to squeeze out the liquid from the cauliflower.

Directions:   

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Wash, dry and chop cauliflower into small florets.
3. Place half the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse to a very fine crumble. Add remaining cauliflower to food processor and pulse until super crumbly.
4. Once cauliflower is all crumbled put it into the cheese cloth and squeeze! Squeeze as much of the liquid out of the cauliflower as you can. This is super important to get a crust that holds together and isn't soggy. (I am speaking from experience - do not skip the cheese cloth stage!)
5. Now that you have the cauliflower squeezed dry as you can you can add the following - 3 eggs, garlic & onion powder, taco seasoning and parmesan & herb seasoning. Mix well.
6. Spray a pizza sheet or cookie sheet and press cauliflower mixture into pan in a thin layer.
7. Cook crust in oven for 40 to 45 minutes on 350F.

8. Once your crust is baked add toppings. I browned my lean ground turkey while the crust was in the oven. Crumble ground turkey on crust over pizza sauce.
9. Bake crust with toppings for another 5-10 minutes to melt cheese and warm toppings.
10. Enjoy!

The best part of this pizza is that it is 21 Day Fix approved and it is Gluten Free!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Love of Cooking Spiral Slicer ~ Review

I recently received this fun little kitchen tool that I may be totally obsessed with! Since starting on the 21 Day Fix Extreme program and eating plan I have been cutting back on the starchy carbs. Sorry pasta but you have been mostly replaced! Yes, for the past almost 3 weeks I haven't eaten pasta!! This coming from a pasta junkie. I have a new "pasta" that I am in love with and it loves me back thanks to this lil kitchen tool called the Spiral Slicer. Super healthy and a great way to get more veggies in for the whole family.

There are tons out on the market but this one is from a company called Love of Cooking. You can pick this lil gadget up on Amazon Canada or Amazon US.

Super easy to use. All you do is insert a veggie into the right end (there is a slicer and a spiralizer) and twist your veggie until you reach the end or the amount of food you need. It is also easy to wash if you rinse right away and use the little brush that comes with it. It also comes with silicone ties to tie up foods to cook or steam. I haven't used those yet but they do look handy.

I have made them warm by sauteing in a fry pan with some coconut spray and some garlic and herb seasoning or eat them raw. The ideas are endless with this tool. 

I highly recommend this kitchen tool and the kids love the dishes also! They think it is super fun to eat carrot or zucchini noodles!

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes: A Vegan Cookbook with 106 Quick & Easy Recipes ~ Review

Book Synopsis:

Create delicious, filling vegan meals in under 30 minutes!

Take the stress out of making hearty vegan meals with the easy recipes in Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes. This handy kitchen guide is perfect for the busy vegan cook who wants to whip up satisfying, wholesome vegan meals using everyday kitchen utensils and afforda-ble ingredients from you local grocery store. With simple, straightforward recipes, quick tips for easy meal prep and storage, and helpful meal plans, Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes will help you get nutritious vegan meals on the table in no time.

Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes makes it easy to create balanced vegan meals, with:

• 106 mouthwatering recipes such as Vegan Chocolate Macaroons, Spicy Nut But-ter Noodles, and Sweet Potato & Kale Hash
• 141 pantry, freezer, and grocery staples
• Easy-to-follow weekly meal plan
• 23 ideas for easy meal preparation and storage to save you time and money
• 10 tips for a happy and hearty vegan life

With quick, tasty recipes, Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes will make your vegan meals as simple as they are delicious.

Purchase a copy on Amazon.  

Review:

This has been a great addition to my cookbooks especially with my new fitness & nutrition journey. I have been taking away starchy carbs and adding more veggies. This book includes so many tasty and easy recipes that my whole family will enjoy! This is a great beginners guide to becoming Vegan or at least adding more vegetables to your diet. At the beginning of the book they go into explaining what Veganism is and the guidelines & rules for being Vegan. How to get the vitamins that you need while eating Vegan and What and What not to eat. I love how the ingredients in the recipes are very simply and can be found in your local grocery store, which is great as I don't live in a city with the specialty sections that have a great selection. All in all a great cookbook! 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars! A great cookbook for people looking to start eating more vegetables or becoming Vegan.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Mayim's Vegan Table ~ Cookbook Review

While she's an actress with a PhD in neuroscience, at the end of the day Mayim Bialik is a mom, one who knows what it's like to be a busy parent with little time to spend in the kitchen. She shares the concerns of parents everywhere: when it comes to nutrition and feeding your family, you want healthy meals, but also food that everyone—kids and parents—can enjoy, and a balanced lifestyle that's inexpensive and fuss-free. Not only does Mayim's Vegan Table share more than 100 easy plant-based recipes for dishes that are as good to eat as they are good for you, but Mayim has also teamed up with pediatrician Jay Gordon to offer:

• Basic nutritional information about a plant-based diet
• The real deal on raising kids on a plant-based diet (myths and misperceptions, debunked)
• Vegan family essentials (including a list of what to always keep in the pantry)
• Tips and strategies for easy meal planning and healthy eating out

And, of course, the food: you'll find recipes for Mayim's favorite breakfasts, snacks, lunches, dinners, and desserts, including kid-approved meals like build-your-own tacos and mac n cheez, Mediterranean and Asian-inspired salads that parents will love, comfort-food classics like kugel and matzoh ball soup, and many more.

Purchase on Amazon.

About the Authors: 

Mayim Bialik, PhD, CLEC, is an Emmy-nominated actress, trained neuroscientist, author, and the
mother of two sons who have been raised entirely vegan. Currently starring on CBS’s The Big Bang
Theory, Mayim is a contributing editor at Kveller.com. Mayim's Website & Twitter @missmayim

Jay Gordon, MD, FAAP, is a prominent pediatrician practicing in Santa Monica, California, and the
author of numerous books and magazine columns. he is a long-time member of the attending staff of
UCLA’s Medical School. Website | Twitter @drjaygordonmdfaap

Review: 

This is a great book for vegetarians and people who would like to become a vegetarian or just add extra veggies to your diet. I love that this cookbook has easy to make recipes along with most ingredients that can be found easily in your grocery store. No need to head to a specialty shop to make most of these. I found I had a lot of the ingredients in my house already and I am not a vegetarian. I also love that Mayim shares her Jewish roots in this cookbook with some fabulous Jewish recipes. I work in a Jewish group home and cook most of the meals so this will come in handy for sure and I can hardly wait to share all these great recipes with my family. The book also has a nice beginning with nutrition and info on the basics. I love the kitchen tip at the end of the recipes. There was one recipe I was wondering what an ingredient was and it was in the kitchen tip. 

Want to learn how to make cheese from nuts? It is in this book! I am excited to try a couple tofu recipes with my family even though hubby said "let me know how it goes" when I told him about the recipe. I also love that this book isn't all about tofu. There are more recipes with veggies, beans and nuts.

I reviewed the Kindle version of this cookbook and find it really hard to enjoy it as much as I know I would if it was a paperback. I think I will get the paperback edition to add to my cookbook collection and it will make it easier to drool over the recipes. 

I give this recipe book a 5 out of 5 stars! I highly recommend it. 



~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Do Carrots have legs?

This baby carrot looks like it has legs! Take a look at what my son found while having a snack the other day. Both of my kids thought it was very neat and well so did mom.

What have you found lately? I know there have been very interesting shapes for many fruits and veggies and would love to hear your stories.

~*Jennifer

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Marvelous Mommy Meals. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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