Holiday Baking

December 14, 2015December 14, 2015 / ktbuchs87

I’ve said time and time again, I am not a baker. I’m more of a create things on the fly, see if this flavor works with that one, throw a little more of this in there, wibbly-wobbly home cook.

You can’t be a wibbly-wobbly baker. Holiday Baking | Life Healthfully Lived

Baking is a science and if you put too much of one thing or not enough of the other, you end up with a pile of inedible mush. Trust me. I know from experience.

But something about Christmas time makes me put on my big girl baking pants and bust out baked good after baked good. I usually pick one day and spend the whole day making cookies, candies, bars, cakes, and even a few pies. My kitchen is a disaster afterwards, but I end up with quite the mountain of sweet treats. Which leads me to my question for the day:

What do you do with all of those baked goods? Holiday Baking | Life Healthfully Lived

The fat kid in me wants to shove them all in my mouth at once and wash it down with a big ol’ glass of eggnog. Dairy-free of course. Come on, I’m not an unhealthy beast. I can almost justify this gluttony with the fact that I make “healthy” treats. I don’t use refined sugar, I try to use real food ingredients where I can, and most of my baking is done without dairy.

But they are still treats. Desserts. Sweet things. Holiday Baking | Life Healthfully Lived

And you can overdo it even with “healthy” treats. Eating one cookie can lead to eating five cookies, can lead to eating all the desserts. Again, trust me. I know from experience. I’ve also gone to the other extreme and completely refrained from eating any treats at all. That is almost as damaging because you feel like you’re missing out and overeat on everything else.

Plus, what fun are the holidays without some Christmas cookies?

So, in my household, I try to strike a good balance. I still go on my big Christmas bake-a-thon, and I still eat a few of my favorites, but then I share the wealth. I send some with Adam to take to work. I give some to friends and family. The building supervisor and neighbors get a tin of treats and I bring some along to family gatherings. That way I’m not tempted to turn into the Christmas cookie monster and I still get to enjoy the fun of holiday baking. Holiday Baking | Life Healthfully Lived

I also make sure that the rest of my diet is in balance during this time of year. I try to get as much water as I can, eat plenty of vegetables, and keep up with my normal fitness routine.

Because Christmas doesn’t have to be an all or nothing time of year. You don’t have to feel guilty about eating a cookie and you don’t have to feel the shame of eating all the cookies. Find a balance that works for you and just enjoy the season! Holiday Baking | Life Healthfully Lived

How do you handle your sweet treats this time of year?

Simple Gifts For The Healthy Cook

December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Simple Gifts For The Healthy Cook | Life Healthfully Lived It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! I am approaching Buddy the Elf levels of holiday cheer over here in Chicago and it’s awesome. I spent all yesterday putting up our Christmas decorations while of course watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music. Can I fit one more Christmas in this paragraph? Yup!

I was thinking about writing a post on how to stay healthy during the holiday season, but I feel like that gets written over and over every year. Yes, it’s hard to stay on track during this time of year when there are a thousand opportunities to eat cookies and stuff yourself with a large dinner, but it isn’t entirely impossible. And you know what? It’s ok if you go a little overboard every now and then. I like Kathy’s approach to healthy eating over at Kath Eats Real Food. Healthy is a squiggly line. Sometimes it will be up and sometimes it will be down, but overall it’s about a healthy balance.

So in lieu of the tips and tricks to eat well during your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, I am going to tell you to buy presents. Not for me (although if you’re feeling it, I am in desperate need of this Vitamix. Yes, desperate need), but for the cook/cooks in your life. You don’t need a ton of fancy utensils to eat well, but there are a few basics that I use over and over again that can really make a difference in the kitchen. So here is a gift list for some simple tools that can make healthy eating easy and even a little fun!

Silicone Spatulas

I use a spatula pretty much every day. From scraping things out of the food processor or a bowl to making scrambled eggs, a spatula is a must in my kitchen. Plus you can find some cute ones over at Target for less than $5. These would make a great stocking stuffer!

Silpat

I’ve raved about these over and over again, but that’s because they are awesome. A Silpat is pretty much reusable parchment paper. Nothing sticks to these things so you can roast vegetables, bake cookies, roll out bread dough, and even make chocolate bark without working about half the food sticking to the pan. I have two that get used regularly and they have lasted me a long time.

Spice grinders

Not a flashy or exciting gift perhaps, but a very useful one. You can use these for more than grinding fresh pepper, which you should be doing. No one needs to use pre-ground pepper when it’s so easy to do fresh. Just ask Alton. You can use it to grind coarse sea salt into a finer powder, seeds like cumin, fennel, or grains of paradise, and you can use it to make your own spice blends. This is a super versatile gift and one that is sure to be used over and over.

Pyrex Glass Dishes

If you are a leftover junkie like me (and you should be after I gave you all of these wonderful ideas!) then these will be a must. No more plastic containers that always lose their lid, get stained or smell, and that will inevitably melt at some point. These dishes are great for leftovers, can go in the freezer, and are perfect portions to stick into your lunchbox for a healthy lunch at work or school.

Food Processor

Ok, so this might be the one splurge item on this list, but it is worth it. Actually, you don’t have to spend a ton on a food processor because I made do with a secondhand Black & Decker for many years before Adam decided to upgrade mine for our anniversary. Food processors are great for nut butters, chopping a ton of vegetables, making dough, and pretty much anything else you can think of. Even though this is pricier than the other things on the list, you will use it enough to justify the cost.

Hopefully you can find a few gifts on this list that will work for you or your favorite cook. Only 17 more days until Christmas!! Simple Gifts For The Healthy Cook | Life Healthfully Lived

What are some of your favorite cooking tools?

DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache

December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 / ktbuchs87 / 1 Comment

After DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache a week off, DIY Wednesday is back! I know you missed it and were totally lost without a fun DIY to fill your Wednesday. At least that’s what I would like to think.

I’m SUPER excited about this DIY because I didn’t think it was going to work and it did and it is amazing. If you don’t know what a ganache is, then you obviously don’t spend enough time in bakeries or watching the Food Network. A ganache is a glaze, sauce, icing, or filling that is typically made with cream and chocolate. It can be used for cakes, cupcakes, truffles, or donuts. Basically, anything that is delicious can be made even more delicious with ganache. DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

Ganache used to be one of my favorite things. It isn’t super heavy or super sweet like typical frostings and it really lets the chocolate flavor shine through. And let’s face it, chocolate is the reason many of us get up in the morning. Wait, is that just me? Oh well, it’s true and I ain’t ashamed of that.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I was able to make it without dairy but still just as delicious. I figured I would share this one with you right as the holiday season is upon us because this will definitely come in handy for all your baking needs. You can use it as a frosting or icing for you cooking, as a decadent hot chocolate drink, as a filling for pastries or sweet breads, or stick it in the fridge for a rich and creamy mousse and a simple dessert. The possibilities are endless and with just a few ingredients you can have this on hand at all times. That is a very good thing!

Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache

1 cup full-fat coconut milk, unsweetened
2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (I used Baker’s brand)
2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, molasses, whatever liquid sweetener you have on hand

Using a microplane or fine grater, grate the 2 oz of chocolate into a medium bowl until you have a little pile of chocolate shreds. Set bowl aside.
Get a small to medium saucepan and pour the coconut milk in. Heat the milk over medium heat and whisk frequently. You don’t want the milk to boil or scald. Whisk in the maple syrup or other sweetener and whisking until you get a light simmer. This should take about 10 minutes
Remove the milk from the heat and get your bowl with chocolate shreds. Slowly pour in the sweetened warm milk, whisking the whole time. Keep whisking until the chocolate is completely melted and everything is smooth.
You can use the ganache right away or you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Thanksgiving: Round 2

November 27, 2015November 24, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Like many people, I get to celebrate the holidays multiple times. Marriage opens up new families and traditions to be celebrated and that means twice the holiday fun.

Yesterday, I spent the day with Adam’s side of the family, cooking, laughing, drinking, and spending time together. It was a great day and I really do enjoy experiencing family gatherings with his big family. Adam’s mom is one of 10 and when you get everyone together there are easily 20 to 30 people crammed into the house. And that’s what Thanksgiving and Christmas are about right? Shoving as much love and happiness into a room as possible.

Today is the Buchanan Thanksgiving and while it is a smaller affair, it’s no less heartwarming or full of family. I love getting together with my family and sharing our traditions year after year. One of my favorites is signing the tablecloth.

Many moons ago, when Thanksgiving was exclusively at our house, my mom had the idea to get a plain white tablecloth and have the whole family sign it every year. It’s become kind of like a history book for us. I can look back and see when I couldn’t even write my name, remember when certain friends came for dinner, and watch the transformation of our family. I loved this idea so much that for our wedding Adam and I had our guests sign a tablecloth instead of a guest book.

I’m not sure what your day after Thanksgiving traditions are, but whether you are a black Friday shopper or have another meal to get to, I hope that you are enjoying your family time and celebrating your own traditions!

I Am Thankful For…

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 / ktbuchs87

My husband who always loves me, even when I’m being crazy and weird which is more often than not. Who works hard to provide for me and always puts my happiness before his. Without him, I wouldn’t be half the person I am now. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My family who has shaped my very being. They know me better than anyone on this planet and support me in everything I do. They have taught me how to love and live and I cannot imagine me without them. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My Faith which is the driving force behind every decision I make, every action I take, every word I speak, and the source of my hope and love. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My basic needs which are unfailingly met. I have never ever wanted for food, shelter, or clothing. I have never wondered where my next meal was coming from, where I would be sleeping at night, and I have the luxury of opening my closet and choosing from a variety of clothes. Not everyone gets that security.

My freedom which has cost me absolutely nothing but instead others have paid for with their lives. I can say what I want, believe what I want, and pursue my happiness because of the simple fact that I am an American. In a world that is wrought with pain and strife, where people are oppressed and killed for their beliefs and opinions, freedom is no small matter. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My dreams that propel me to do new and sometimes scary things. Having a dream can be tough but so worth it. And having people behind you to support those dreams? That is something to be even more thankful for.

I could go on and on with things that I am thankful for because I am beyond blessed. I know it’s cliche to think about all the things we have gratitude for this week, but these are things that I give thanks for every single day. I often take these things for granted because they are so simple. But for those that don’t have them, they mean the world. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived