Month: November 2024

Categories
Healthy Recipes Recipes Sides

Easy Savory Low Carb Sweet Potato Recipe

Savory sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple. They are most commonly loaded with sugar and sweetness. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, there is no need to add more sugar aka carbs. Why not try this easy savory sweet potato recipe this Thanksgiving, or as a side for any everyday meal?

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualified purchases.

What tools do you need?

Ingredients:

4-6 Red Garnet Sweet Potatoes (or any variety)

2-3 Tablespoons Olive oil or Avocado oil

2-3 Tablespoons fresh thyme

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

How to make Savory Sweet potatoes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the sweet potatoes with oil, Thyme, salt and pepper.

seasoned sweet potatoes

Spread the potatoes evenly on the sheet pan. Roast for 10 minutes, toss and flip the potatoes. Rotate the pan and continue to roast for another 10-12 minutes.

Roasted sweet potatoes

Are Sweet Potatoes Healthy?

Sweet potatoes are a very healthy addition to your diet. They are a great source of vitamin A. They are also rich in fiber and vitamin B6 and vitamin C.

More Thanksgiving Sides:

Printable Savory Sweet Potato Recipe

Savory Sweet PotatoesDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Side Cusine:American Difficulty:Easy

Servings

8 minutes

Preparing Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

20 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 4-6 Red Garnet Sweet Potatoes (or any variety)

  2. 2-3 Tablespoons Olive oil or Avocado oil

  3. 2-3 Tablespoons fresh thyme

  4. Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

DIRECTION

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes. Toss the sweet potatoes with oil, Thyme, salt and pepper.

  2. Spread the potatoes evenly on the sheet pan. Roast for 10 minutes, toss and flip the potatoes. Rotate the pan and continue to roast for another 10-12 minutes.

NOTES

As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualified purchases.

Categories
Entertaining at home Healthy Home

Screen Time Alternatives: Gifts that Inspire Creativity and Connection

Screen time alternatives

There are plenty of health benefits to reducing screen time. Reducing screen time benefits both mental and physical health. Finding screen time alternatives for your family and friends shows that you really care about their health and wellbeing. Here are some ideas for screen free gifts that inspire creativity.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

Gifts that Help Separate you from Screens

  • Alarm Clock – Many people keep their phone inside their room at night in order to use it as an alarm clock. If you have a separate alarm clock this will enable you to keep your phone away from your night stand. This helps reduce the urge to grab it first thing in the morning.
  • Hands free adapter – Of course newer cars have Bluetooth adapters for hands free calls. If you need a gift ides for someone driving an older car without a handsfree option a hands free Bluetooth adapter would be a great gift.
  • Wall Calendar – Stop your loved one from picking up their phone to check the date. Find a cute wall calendar for them to check instead.
  • Wall clock – A decorative wall clock can stop the urge to pick up a phone to check the time.
  • Activity books – Help your loved one find something else to reach for for entertainment.
  • Phone jail – A novelty gift for your phone addicted loved one.

Gifts that Encourage Reconnecting with Nature

Spending time outdoors is great for mental and physical health. Here are a few gifts that can encourage outdoor fun and can serve as great screentime alternatives.

Hiking or Camping Equipment

Even if you are not a camping enthusiast, some camping equipment can be used at home. A tent or hammock can be set up in your own backyard. For hours of fun!

Nature Viewing Gifts

Backyard Games

throw throw burrito extreme

Gifts that Encourage Family Time

Spending time together as a family is important for staying connected.

Family Games

Card games and board games encourage screen free family fun. Check out this link for a list of really fun board games listed by age of family members. If you need a small game that will fit in a stocking, Easter basket or care package, check out this list of small games.

Fun Games to Play

Family activities

  • Jigsaw Puzzles
  • LEGO sets – Try to find a large set that will take lots of time and cooperation to complete.
  • Family Outings – Try bowling, a museum visit, zoo or aquarium passes.
bowling

Gifts that Encourage Creativity

Crafts or books are a great creative escape.

diamond painting kit
Diamond painting

Gifts that Encourage Physical Activity

Encourage a sport your loved one enjoys already, or encourage them to try a new sport with lessons or equipment.

pickle ball
Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash

Gifts that Encourage the Other 4 Senses

Screen time is most engaging for the sense of sight, why not attempt to engage the other four senses in order to distract your loved one from their screen.

Touch

Sound

Taste

Smell

As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualified purchases.

Categories
Recipes Sides

Spaghetti Squash, Nature’s Low Carb Pasta

Spaghetti squash pasta

Whether you are trying to cut carbs or you just want to sneak more vegetables into your diet, baked spaghetti squash may be just what you need in your life. Spaghetti squash is nature’s low carb pasta and it is also gluten free. Although it only comes in only one pasta shape: spaghetti, it is still quite versatile. In this recipe I make a classic spaghetti with red sauce, however, you can add any pasta sauce you wish.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.

What tools do you need to make baked spaghetti squash?

Ingredients:

  • 3 pound spaghetti squash
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 jar pasta sauce
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Preparing the squash

Spaghetti Squash

First rinse the squash. Place it on a cutting board and use an 8 inch chef’s knife to slice it in half. If you find this difficult here are some tips:

  • First cut off the end with the stem, because this is the most difficult part to cut.
  • Make slits all around the middle with a paring knife then microwave the squash for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Spaghetti squash sliced in half

After your squash is sliced in half, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds.

Spaghetti squash seeds removed adding olive oil

Then use a silicone spatula to spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each half. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

How to bake spaghetti squash

Place the squash cut side down on a sheet pan or cookie sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Spaghetti squash ready to bake

Bake for 25 minutes or until the flesh separates easily when pricked with a fork. Note, this time is for a 3 pound squash, the time may vary with a larger or smaller squash. While your squash bakes, sauté the onion.

Baked spaghetti squash

Preparing your pasta

Allow the squash to cool for 15 minutes or until it is cool enough to handle. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh aka: pasta. Use 2 forks to separate any large chunks.

Scooping spaghetti squash into a baking dish

Place the squash into a greased 9×9 baking dish.

Add onions
Add onions
Add pasta sauce and parmesan
Add pasta sauce and parmesan

Mix in sauteed onions and pasta sauce. Top with grated parmesan.

Baking the pasta

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until warm and bubbly.

Baked spaghetti squash spaghetti
Try to get a photo before your family digs in, I dare you!

More Low carb Recipes

Printable Recipe

Baked Spaghetti SquashDownload

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dinner Cusine:Italian Difficulty:Easy

Servings

4 minutes

Preparing Time

5 minutes

Cooking Time

25 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 3 pound spaghetti squash

  2. 2 tablespoons olive oil

  3. salt and pepper to taste

  4. 1 medium onion diced

  5. 1 jar pasta sauce

  6. 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTION

  1. Prepare the Squash

    First rinse the squash. Place it on a cutting board and use an 8 inch chef’s knife to slice it in half. After your squash is sliced in half, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then use a silicone spatula to spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each half. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.

  2. Bake the squash

    Place the squash cut side down on a sheet pan or cookie sheet. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes or until the flesh separates easily when pricked with a fork. Note, this time is for a 3 pound squash, the time may vary with a larger or smaller squash. While your squash bakes, sauté the onion.

  3. Prepare the pasta

    Allow the squash to cool for 15 minutes or until it is cool enough to handle. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh aka: pasta. Use 2 forks to separate any large chunks. Place the squash into a greased 9×9 baking dish. Mix in sauteed onions and pasta sauce. Top with grated parmesan.

  4. Bake the pasta

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until warm and bubbly.

NOTES

How to sneak more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

As an Amazon associate, I earn on qualified purchases.

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