Roasted Veggie Pasta W/Chicken Parmesan

Easy (and flavorful) ROASTED VEGGIE PASTA with CHICKEN PARM...with a sneaky ingredient that no one will know is in there!

There are some delicious pasta sauces on the market today BUT they typically come loaded with SALT and SUGAR! Here's a recipe that doesn't include sugar, but does have a pinch or so of salt to increase the depth of flavor...but I promise it's no where near the amount you get in a jar! I love using veggies as sauce. You can leave them chunky or puree them for a smooth consistency. BUT THE KEY TO THIS RECIPE IS TO ROAST THEM! The caramelization from the veggies own juices is absolutely delicious and covers pasta so beautifully!

Keep in mind that you do not have to follow this recipe to a "T" with the amounts or ingredients. I rarely put exactly how much to use unless I have tried the recipe multiple times and know it only comes out right doing it one way!

I chopped up a zucchini, some cauliflower, grape tomatoes, garlic and onion; drizzled with a bit of extra light olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Roasted at 425 degrees for 30 minutes (time depends on how many veggies you are cooking). Also, I flipped them half-way through cooking to get that delicious caramelized color and flavor all over. 

While the veggies were roasting, I cooked a box of whole grain pasta to al dente. Drain the pasta BUT reserve a little bit of the cooking water. Once the veggies are done, toss them with the pasta. Add a bit more salt and pepper and the reserved cooking water (not too much...just a couple tbsp). I also like to finish mine off with some fresh chopped basil. 

As for the chicken, I mixed homemade 1/2 c. whole grain bread-crumbs, 3 tbsp parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, salt, pepper and CHIA SEEDS in a bowl. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk ONE egg white with a splash of water. Take the thin-sliced chicken and pat dry. Dip in the egg whites, then into the bread-crumbs. Place on a cooling rack to let it sit while the oil is heating. Heat up about 2 tbsp extra light olive oil over med-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side so it lightly browns (I went overboard with the chicken I have pictured so it's dark...actually I was doing laundry and got caught up!) The chicken likely won't be cooked through so pop the chicken (keep it in the pan) in a 350 degree oven for about 6-8 minutes (depending on how much you are cooking and how thin it is).

Serve the Roasted Veggie Pasta with the Chicken Parmesan (NOTE: Sprinkle with a bit more cheese and/or olive oil to finish it off if you have more calories left in your daily reserve!!) OR TOP WITH A SPLASH OF HOT SAUCE! OMG, MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE I'M ADDICTED TO HOT SAUCE BUT DAMN THAT TASTED GOOD!!! :)

ENJOY!!!

BEST OF HEALTH,
Amanda
www.healthyathomept.com
www.facebook.com/healthyathomept

Healthy Eating CAN BE EASY

Admittedly, I have reached for processed foods post-workout (and sometimes during snack time) because I am always in such a rush. Refueling after a gruesome session is essential to replenishing electrolytes and repairing muscle tears so I can actually see results. I also believe in snacking throughout the day so that I don't become ravenous later and eat a whole weeks worth of calories in one sitting! 

BUT IT REALLY IS ABOUT QUALITY

Healthy food that satisfies and replenishes your body can take very little time, effort and money to make. Personally, I am trying to increase the amount of raw veggies in my meals so I am big on eating salads and loading up my sandwiches right now.

ABOVE:
Half a low-sodium Turkey and Provolone Sandwich w/Mustard, Spinach, Onion and Tomato 
**Deli meat is the DEVIL to some, but if you get the right kind it's not so bad, and is a great source of protein. I get Boars Head Low-Sodium Turkey or Chicken and Provolone. And yes, that is white bread. I went through my Arnold Whole Grain!

Spinach, Romaine, Green Peppers, Grape Tomato, Celery, and Radish Salad DRESSED WITH HUMMUS! 
**Great alternative to fat- and calorie-dense dressings!



BEST OF HEALTH,
Amanda
www.healthyathomept.com
www.facebook.com/healthyathomept

What's In YOUR Fridge?

It's almost embarrassing to admit that I have not kept up with my blog for about 2 months! As much as I talk about always finding a way to get everything done, sometimes there are certain things that take priority leaving little/no time to get EVERYTHING done. I apparently fell victim to this by not doing my daily BLOG, but I promise my HEALTH, FITNESS and FAMILY continued to be top priority!

So here's my first post since MAY (I will try harder to balance my time so months don't go by again!)...

I went grocery shopping last week and spent a hefty penny but when I looked in my fridge I realized it was bare. Where did my money go? Well, look in my pantry and you would see! I was letting my kids constant requests for junk food convince me to buy it! 

HOLY SH!T, I thought to myself!

I didn't throw it away because I don't believe in that no matter what the food is. There are WAY too many people suffering from starvation that I could not even allow myself to throw away a TRANS-FAT FILLED FROZEN PIZZA! However, the day that we end up eating that cardboard pizza, plates will be loaded with fresh salad with homemade dressing!

My fix for buying such poor-quality foods was to go back to the grocery store and buy all fresh fruits and veggies. I believe in having options so I figured if we (the kids, my husband and I) could choose from Oreos or FRESH, JUICY PEACHES at least we could guilt-trip ourselves to pick the best choice. 

AND IT WORKED! 

This is what MY FRIDGE looked like a couple days ago...

...I bought so many fruits and veggies that I didn't have enough room in the drawers to store them all so they ended up taking over the entire fridge!

Although all the different foods options in my house are not "good for you" MOST of them are. Simply having the option to eat a healthy snack can be all you need to make the RIGHT DECISION!

What's in your fridge?

BEST OF HEALTH,
Amanda
www.healthyathomept.com
Find me on FACEBOOK: healthyathomept