When Life gives you Sweet Potatoes

I wouldn't call this a recipe as much as I would say that it is a launch pad for you to make your own creation. I have recently up’d my intake of Sweet Potatoes…don’t ask. Just know it is a result of regular unsolicited advice. THANKS MOM! J Any way with a large bag of organic sweet potatoes on my counter I decided that I couldn't eat sweet potato fries everyday and had to find a way to get creative.  It was lunch time, I had just gotten home from the gym and I was starving so it had to be quick! I knew that I wanted to include my new found friend the poached egg.  I decided that I would make a quick hash. The ingredients seemed unlikely at first but once I tasted it there was no going back. I started having this hash for lunch daily and then I woke up one morning and the first thing I thought of was sweet potato hash and how I was going to wait until afternoon? I couldn't  so I made it for breakfast! Seriously, if my husband liked sweet potatoes I would probably make it for dinner as well. Not sure why I am stage five obsessed with this little concoction but I am. Its quick, simple and the flavors and textures just seem to hit the spot. I hope you agree.

I happen to use what I had on hand that fateful afternoon which included kale, zucchini, and SWEET POTATOES of course.  Now, as I write this I can think of several ways to make this hash EVEN better and I will give the suggestions at the end. But remember this is the simplified quick version I am about to give you.

1.       Par cook a sweet potato in the microwave. Depending on the size the time will vary. Mine took about 2 ½ mins. Let cool a min and dice it up.

2.      Meanwhile coat a small non-stick skillet with olive oil spray and add a handful of chopped kale along with about 2 tablespoons of water to create steam which will help the kale to wilt. About 4 mins

 3.       Chop and add 1 small zucchini to the pan along with the sweet potato. Saute for another 4 mins or so until zucchini is cooked but not mushy. You really want it to maintain its crunch. Feel free to add more spray or a table spoon or so of water to the pan if things are looking dry or sticking.

4.       Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne (helps rev the metabolism) and top with a poached egg. 

The whole process start to finish is 10 mins.

I didn't include directions of poaching the egg because this is not strong suit. It does taste just as good with an egg over easy on top or you can make it into a scramble.

If you have more time, feel free to add ½ a chopped red onion and a clove of garlic. I also think that yellow bell pepper would be a lovely addition to the party. Fresh thyme would work well too. This is the perfect vegetarian dish but vegan friends can omit the egg and add white beans to the mix. If you are a true carnivore add some chicken or better yet chicken sausage.

Basically, look in your fridge and use what you've got. It will probably be delicious.

More sweet potato recipes to follow….I told you I had a big bag.

Sorry there is no pic but that would have delayed the eating!

Happy Monday

New Year New You

I  can not believe it has been six months since I have written a single word for this blog! If that isn't a bad blogger I'm not sure what is. Every year promises a fresh start and new beginnings and I plan to use this blog to help me be accountable.
The past few years I've struggled with many things. Struggles that left me feeling that I have no control over the outcome of our future. This is such a difficult feeling to process. I don't believe that my personal defeats are of importance in explaining my feelings because we all have them in our own ways. A lot of us will encounter something or many things that will stop us in our tracts. You will be forced to ask yourself "Where you do I go from here?" You grow up your whole life being told that "You can have anything you want, as long as you work hard enough". "The future is yours to make." and a gazillion other versions of the same thing...Hard Work=Success. What happens when it doesn't? What happens when you work hard and lose? Let me tell ya, It's a really hard pill to swallow. The F word starts swirling around in your head. New phrases are being thrown at you like "Everything happens for a reason", "Relax and be patient", "It will happen when the time is right", "what's meant to be will be". I think they are meant to be words of comfort but for me they were anything but. Those words are worse than nails on a chalk board! They make me feel defeated; like a Failure. Those words are asking me to go against everything I have ever been taught??? To sit back and WAIT for what I want doesn't make sense to a girl who plans everything. I like Lists. I like Goals. I like checking things off. You don't get an A on a test, or a promotion at a job by sitting back and waiting for it to happen. Even relationships require work to thrive. So, It just doesn't make sense. They didn't help. Everyone gives their advice and you find yourself not only dealing with your own feelings but how others perceive them. To say that this has been a stressful, confusing, all-consuming journey is an understatement...and it is still a work in progress. But I do believe that God has a plan for everyone. When I started this blog, the intention was to take you through my journey of going from a typical American young adult** to a better Organicked version of myself! Like most journeys sometimes you get off track, you get lost and have to find your way back. Sometimes you even gain 20 lbs when you are lost! Well, It's a New Year & and a New You and I plan to take that saying to heart. I think I was using more strength and willpower to simply keep it together during that dark time than I thought. I didn't have anything left to say no to the junk food, the eating out, the bad for me party food and the wine. OH there was A LOT of wine!!! As Much as I wanted to do this last year, I didn't have it in me. I wouldn't go as far to say that time heals all wounds. Sometimes wounds turn into scars. But you can live with a scar, all most everyone does. This Year I feel so much better. I am 100% ready for this challenge and I am off to a good start! look for recipes, tips, plenty of note worthy articles and interesting facts on the way! I challenge everyone to use the freshness of a new year to let go of any negative thoughts you might have about not accomplishing some of your goals. Whether they are in your control or not. ON A MUCH MORE EXCITING NOTE: The Ravens are going to The Super Bowl!!!!! I have waited over 10 yrs for this! The Planner in me is compiling ideas and lists galore! I am still stumped on the menu...I don't think that anyone associates nuts, veggies, whole wheat crackers and fruit slices as GAME food so I have my work cut out for me! I do have decor pretty much set! No good party is complete without printables and I was getting antsy for someone to make some good Ravens ones and post them on pinterest After complaining (and explaining what a printable is) to my husband he informed me that we (he) can easily make them. So, If you are having your own Superbowl party feel free to use our handiwork! They would make great cupcake toppers, stickers or even a banner. Just click, save to your own computer and print. The only limit is an imagination and plenty of colored ink of course.

**I am pretty sure that I am no longer able to claim "young adult" since I recently turned 30! Does that make me middle aged?!?! Holy Moly...