Photo Courtesy of PhotoBucket: jadco123

The following blog was written by Sarah H., a recent client of Fork in the Road. Sarah is a periodic guest blogger here on the site, and she has promised to document her progress—and setbacks—for the benefit of our followers. Sarah’s vital stats: 29 years-old, married to Stephen, who is currently serving in the Marine Corps. Two daughters, Avery (2 1/2 years) and Ainsley (24 weeks!). Previous eating style: 80-90% organic, high dairy and healthier than average (slightly…on some days). Health/lifestyle goals: Provide a well-balanced diet for a picky toddler, add variety to the family table, develop food preparation skills and improve the quality of meals consumed.

In my first blog post here at Fork in the Road, I talked about how quickly New Year resolutions get pushed aside. Of course, most people, including myself, chalk the lack of success to losing motivation. I have been experiencing my own sort of derailment—not at all related to motivation. With my two girls, now 2½ and 6 months-old, I feel like I never sit down. Well, I don’t just feel like it, I truly don’t sit down much at all. Planning meals and preparing shopping lists on top of my already heavy to-do list has been difficult. I truly want to feed my family the healthiest diet I can. My problem is time! This is an easy excuse. Everyone is “too busy” for everything. But honestly, I can’t do everything in one day. My challenge is deciding what I can do and what I should leave for another day. My choices: make healthy meals: leave the living room in its obstacle-course state; bathe the girls: let dishes become crusty; take a shower: use back up disposable diapers instead of cloth; take the girls outside to play so they will sleep later: clean up the house while they make more messes. So what’s a mom to do?

I don’t know yet. I just know I’m glad I am not signed onto a diet. Instead, I’m committed to improving my family’s way of life. Perhaps I just need to cut myself some slack? The more I think about this the more I realize that there isn’t a box that needs checked when it comes to working with Sheree. Every bit of change that is for the better should be embraced as success. Whatever changes I make now will serve as a strong foundation for the years to come. I’m told that kids get a little easier after they hit age four. So maybe by then I will be able to make a “real” dinner instead of serving meals that resemble crudités (which I realize is not all that bad, but it doesn’t make me feel like Betty Crocker). In my next Skype meeting with Sheree I am going to ask her—again—for some advice. Her suggestions and easy recipes do help…I just sometimes need to be reminded and encouraged. This is why Sheree asks her clients to make six month commitments. These things take time.

Now I must get back to a sick toddler and a teething baby. My motivation to improve our diet is stronger than ever. After all, sugar, carbs and dairy are probably contributing to our persistent bouts of illness.

Here is a recipe Sheree gave me last time we met. I just found it again. It’s truly a five-minute thing and we all love it.

POPCORN

INGREDIENTS

1 head cauliflower            florets chopped into bite-sized pieces

2-4 tablespoons               nutritional yeast

1-2 teaspoons                 garlic powder

1 teaspoon                      sea salt

2 teaspoons                    extra virgin olive oil

Splash                            water

To taste                          black pepper

Put all ingredients into a gallon size zip lock bag (or a reusable Tupperware-type container) and shake until cauliflower is thoroughly coated with mixture.

Some people really like spicy foods, while others have a thing for desserts. Me? I always have a hard time deciding which I like better: heat or sweet.

So when I heard about the Hot Raw Chef video competition, I said to myself “That’s it! Here’s the forum to introduce my recipe for Chocolate Jalapeno Poppers.” I perfected my sweet/spicy recipe, created a video demo, submitted it…and now I need your help.

The Living Light Culinary Institute sponsors the Hot Raw Chef video contest. There is a “People’s Choice” component to the competition, meaning the more people who vote for you, the better your odds of being a winner. Voting takes place from now until July 21, and boy, would I love your support! Simply go to www.hotrawchef.com and look for Sheree Clark. And of course, if you blog, Facebook, Tweet—or just want to tell one other person about me—that would be sweet (or hot – your call!).

Naturally you will want the formula for my fabulous creation, and I have included it here. I’ve used a fairly new sweetener in my recipe: coconut nectar.  The brand I used is from Coconut Secrets^® and I really like it. (You may substitute agave, if you prefer.) I wrote a feature story about the Coconut Secrets product line for the summer 2010 issue of Purely Delicious, a magazine devoted to healthful living and eating www.PurelyDelicious.net. If you don’t already subscribe, you should! I’ve been a writer on the staff for over two years now, and it’s a first-class operation and publication. Special deal: When you subscribe, say Fork in the Road sent you and get a free gift!

OK, that’s my latest. Be watching for news of a launch party we have coming up later this summer to commemorate my appearance on Michele Beschen’s nationwide public television show b. Organic. Michele is one of my clients and over the course of two episodes you’ll see me doing a real-life initial session with her, as well as several food prep demos and a follow-up session. It’s a wonderful “peek under the tent” at how health counseling works.

I’d love to hear what’s happening with you…you can post a comment here or email me directly through the Fork in the Road web site.

Please vote for me now at www.hotrawchef.com.

May all your Forks in the Road be delicious,

Sheree

CHOCOLATE JALAPENO POPPERS

Yield: 40 pieces

Equipment
Food processor
Dehydrator

Slice 20 medium jalapeno peppers lengthwise and de-seed. Rinse and set aside.

CHOCOLATE FILLING
2/3 cup                        cashew butter
2/3 cup                        coconut nectar
2/3 cup                        chocolate powder
1 teaspoon                   vanilla extract

Process in a food processor until creamy and smooth.

BREADING
1/3 cup                        walnuts
1/3 cup                        almonds
2 tablespoons              flax seeds, chia seeds or a blend of the two

Process into a fine powder.

Slice jalapenos in half and de-seed. Stuff with chocolate filling and top with breading. Dehydrate at 105 degrees on mesh dehydrator sheets for approximately 15-18 hours, or until peppers have softened to your liking.

- Chef Sheree Clark

Memorial Day is now long gone and the first part of June seems like a blur already. Have you ever had periods of time that whiz by you like that because you are so busy “living life to its fullest”?  Phew! Among the fabulous things that happened for me last month was the filming for two upcoming episodes of b. organic. The delightful host of the show, Michele Beschen, is one of my clients, and we decided to film some of her sessions with me in order to give viewers a “peek under the tent” at the process of nutrition counseling. I don’t know the exact air dates yet, but I hear it’ll be this fall already! It’s on public television channels across the country, including IPTV, here in Iowa. Sounds like a reason for a party, don’t you think? If you want to be notified when the show will air, join this MeetUp group. I’ll send out an announcement and an invitation to the celebration! Michele and I did several recipes over the course of the episodes, including this one for a fabulous, creamy and satisfying juice drink. Cheers!

CREAMSICLE

• 4 large oranges (remove peel)
• 2 pears
• 1 medium yam

Juice all ingredients together, stir and enjoy!